This year’s League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational is bigger than ever with 13 teams from various regions participating. The expansion of the tournament means more intense and exciting matches for fans to enjoy.
However, despite the increased number of teams, there were still notable names that missed out on the chance to compete at MSI. These teams were equally deserving, if not more so, but they will have to wait for the World Championship to make their mark on the international stage.
The competition for a spot in the tournament was fierce this Spring, but some teams fell short. Here are the five best teams that narrowly missed out on MSI this season.
Team BDS
Team BDS arguably played the best League of Legends in the west during the LEC Spring Split. If they had won just one more game, they would have represented Europe at MSI. However, the LEC’s rules differ from the rest of the world, and G2 Esports, as Winter Split champions, earned EMEA’s second seed. Despite finishing as Spring Split runners-up, BDS accumulated enough Championship Points to have an advantage in their journey to the World Championship later this summer.
Edward Gaming
Edward Gaming came close to securing their second consecutive international appearance this spring but lost two out of three LPL playoff series. Despite being the number two seed in the LPL Spring Playoffs, EDG lost to JD Gaming and Bilibili Gaming, the teams that eventually represented China at MSI. They were eventually eliminated by Bilibili in the lower bracket finals. If EDG had won just one more game against Bilibili, they would have earned their spot at MSI.
FlyQuest
FlyQuest seemed destined for MSI during the early part of the LCS Spring Split with their eight-game winning streak. When performing at their best, FlyQuest is undoubtedly deserving of an international spot. However, they faltered in the LCS Spring Playoffs and had to settle for third place.
KT Rolster
The possibility of an epic Telecom War showdown in the LCK Spring Finals was shattered when KT Rolster was eliminated by Gen.G in the lower bracket finals of the LCK Spring Playoffs. Despite this, KT’s unexpected rise to the top of the LCK has been one of the most surprising stories of the League season so far. If KT can maintain their performance in the summer split, they may have a chance to reunite with T1 at Worlds.
LNG Esports
LNG had an impressive Spring Split in the LPL, but their playoff run fell short. Despite finishing third in the regular season, LNG failed to secure a spot in the double elimination rounds of the playoffs. If they had won their playoff series against OMG, they might have had a chance to make a run at MSI.
keywords: League of Legends, MSI, esports, teams, competition, tournament