Last year, when SK Telecom T1 didn’t make it to the World Championship, it didn’t feel right. They were known for their dominance in League of Legends, but things have changed. In 2018, Korea failed to win Worlds, and many believed their reign was over.
Instead, new contenders emerged, especially from Europe. All three of the LEC’s representatives, including Splyce, made it to the knockout stage at Worlds 2019.
Splyce has been a part of the European League scene since 2015, but this is their first time at Worlds. With a mix of young and experienced players, they have earned their spot among the best teams in the world.
However, Splyce and the rest of the world are worried about this weekend. The LCK teams dominated their groups, and SK Telecom T1 has awakened.
SKT faced tough teams like Fnatic and Royal Never Give Up in the group stage, but only dropped one game. They seem destined to win the championship, and they haven’t even played the first quarterfinals match.
The question is, can anyone stop Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and SKT in a best-of-five series? Could Splyce be the unlikely heroes? Or will SKT triumph?
The ultimate underdogs
When Splyce was matched against SKT in the quarterfinals, everyone expected a clear SKT victory. Splyce is considered the weakest European team at Worlds, while SKT has performed exceptionally well so far.
However, Splyce shouldn’t be underestimated. Despite their early struggles in the group stage, they fixed their issues and can perform at their peak.
Variety is the key to victory
Splyce has a chance to pull off some miracle victories by using off-meta champion picks, just like Misfits Gaming did in 2017. They need to catch SKT off-guard with their drafts and avoid playing a standard game where SKT’s firepower would overpower them.
This will be a monumental test for Splyce, and if they manage to pull off the upset, it will be a story that League fans will talk about for years.
“I am inevitable…”
Unfortunately, as much as we hope for an epic upset, the matchup feels decided before it even starts. SKT’s roster is incredibly strong, with each player performing exceptionally well.
Jungler Kim “Clid” Tae-min has dominated the early game, while Park “Teddy” Jin-seong is a late-game insurance policy. Faker has returned as a different beast, relying on his teammates to push for victory.
SKT might have a lot of pressure, but they are used to this situation. They have been here almost every year. While the competition has improved, SKT has also improved in their preparation and adaptability.
SKT will likely win against Splyce, but the European team won’t give up easily. If Splyce surprises SKT, the snakes might strike back for a moment.
keywords: SK Telecom T1, Summoner’s Cup, LCK, League of Legends, World Championship, Splyce, LEC, Fnatic, Royal Never Give Up, Misfits Gaming