Unknowingly, IG has been in South Korea for more than a month, and autumn is almost over.
After all, the members of both teams are participating teams in the LPL. Tengjing's player manager Vincent arranged for the two teams to rest in a hotel designated by Riot Games.
But it's sad.
Since other teams were eliminated, RNG, as an LPL team, also embarked on a journey back to China.
There are very few teams that both sides can schedule for training matches, and Tengjing strictly prohibits the two teams from scheduling training matches with each other.
IG and EDG are very clear.
After all, the two teams are opponents on the final stage. If too many things are exposed in the training match, it will not be very beneficial to the final.
This will also cause another problem.
Players from both teams are working hard and don't want to play training matches seriously. They are wasting time without talking to each other, and it is easy to get into trouble.
Most of the domestic teams have already gone on vacation, and more clubs are preparing for the upcoming transfer period to grab players who have performed well this season.
The only teams that IG and EDG can make appointments with are the teams in the LCK.
IG is okay.
After all, Kkoma's connections are relatively reliable in the LCK League of Legends e-sports circle, and he can make appointments for training matches with teams like SKT and KT.
On the other hand, look at EDG.
Thanks to Casa, they were able to make an appointment with FW, and it was even said that Khan helped make an appointment with their former team KZ.
In such an environment, the two teams were left with only five days to prepare.
This also includes time for them to record promos and trash talk for the finals, and even a rehearsal spot before the game.
IG and EDG lived on the same floor of the hotel, but both parties had a tacit understanding and did not disturb each other.
After all, for the two teams IG and EDG.
Everyone is friends in private, but when the time comes for the real battle, everyone will sprint towards the final championship trophy.
This may be their only chance in this life.
Special Mingkai.
From the ancient promise of WE to today, this is the first time in his professional journey that he can stand on the stage of the global finals and compete for the Summoner's Trophy for his team.
From today.
No one can describe his professional resume as "trash Mingkai, every word is eight strokes".
But.
Ming Kai unexpectedly began to like the term Civil War Fantasy God.
If we talk about this final.
If he can win the finals by defeating IG, then it doesn't matter if this title is always hanging on his head.
As the host of LPL, Song Soo-yeon doesn't have much to do at this time.
After all, most of the people on the stage of the finals are hosted by the organizers, and their LPL hosting duties are in post-game interviews and group interviews.
Li Nian's parents got on a plane to Incheon Airport in South Korea on the eve of the final, and Jack's parents came with them to watch the game.
The time soon came to the afternoon of November 3rd.
IG and EDG players boarded two buses officially arranged by Riot Games and headed to the final venue, Incheon Munhyuk Stadium.
This was once one of the venues for the 2002 World Cup. The match between South Korea and Portugal was held in this venue.
Advertisements for this final have been hung on billboards along the route.
On the billboard.
Li Nian and Mingkai substations are on both sides.
The dark blue font of "2018 Season World Championship" behind him is extremely deep, and the effect of publicity is particularly obvious.
Not long after.
The bus took them to the above-ground parking lot next to Wenhe Stadium.
At this time, the viewing channel was already full of people. Many IG fans saw them getting out of the car and raised their support signs and shouted loudly next to them.
only.
Since it is South Korea's home court, in Li Nian's opinion.
There may not be many people coming to the finals venue to watch the game today.
After all, two teams from other people’s divisions are playing in their own home court. Isn’t this going to ruin Korean e-sports?
Very cool!
Domestic e-sports forums have entered the e-sports New Year ahead of schedule since EDG defeated FNC and IG in the finals. Many fans and viewers originally did not plan to come to South Korea to watch the game.
I also purchased the air tickets and decided to maximize the momentum in other countries’ home stadiums.
can only say.
Riot Games had originally thought that the hall would not be full this time, but when the ticket sales ended, they were surprised to find that not only were there no tickets left, but many scalpers were selling them at too high prices.
The number of tourists at Incheon Airport suddenly surged every month, as if their floor was about to be trampled!
After entering the backstage along the staff's passage, finishing makeup and doing a simple video interview, Li Nian just returned to the lounge with his teammates.
Chen Zebin looked very excited.
Although he knew very well that after passing the group stage, he would have no chance to play, but being able to show up at the opening ceremony was the pinnacle of his career.
If IG can win the championship.
He can also rub a piece of skin.
Simply delicious!
Kkoma is indeed a coach who has participated in countless finals, and he still seems confident about such a grand situation today.
He again highlighted all the moments in the final.
Principal Wang opened the door and came in.
As a former IG player, he once again wore last year's green down jacket today, as if to continue his good luck at the Bird's Nest.
"Come on everyone!"
Principal Wang hugged and cheered the team members, and then after Vincent entered the lounge, he returned to the front row of the auditorium from the backstage passage.
"IG players and coaches are ready to take the stage."
All team members stood up.
"Don't be nervous, just treat it as a normal game," Su Xiaoluo rarely came out to comfort the players, "We have beaten EDG all year long, and this final must be no exception!"
Li Nian nodded slowly.
IG has a high winning rate against EDG.
After all, although Khan is listed as the most difficult top laner by other teams, Jiang Chenglu will not be at a disadvantage when facing the top top laner.
There is even suppression online.
As for Casa's pattern-controlling jungle style, with the changes in the version, it has become a mid-level choice and returned to mediocrity.
The younger brother's laning strength is not stable this year, and he basically can't gain any advantage against Rookie.
As for the confrontation between two talented ADCs, Iboy and JackeyLove, both have their own strengths and weaknesses, and their advantages and disadvantages are obvious.
The most important thing is the competition between Baolan and Meiko to see who can take the lead.
Everyone walked towards the stage surrounded by each other.
At this time, the LPL official live broadcast room was extremely lively.
Stunts such as "IG can win two consecutive championships" and "LPL Autumn Split" attracted countless viewers and fans, and even players who were attracted by the popularity of chicken games.
He also rejoined the live broadcast room of this LPL civil war.
The League of Legends World Championship is in its eighth year. After experiencing the dark era when the LCK dominated and feared Korea, starting from last year’s global finals, the LPL has gradually emerged and won the championship in all competitions today.
If IG can continue to win the global finals, then they will successfully complete the unprecedented history of LPL as a Grand Slam team in the same year.
Become a legendary team.
In addition, Tengjing has invested huge amounts of money in this promotion, not only on the large screens in supermarkets in major cities, but also on the TVs in subways and buses.
Many viewers who have retired from gaming and rarely paid attention to the game, although they did not come to the scene today, they were pushed to various audiences through Tengjing's use of social media.
Nowadays, the number of people in live broadcast rooms on several major platforms has set a new record in the League of Legends e-sports competition.
The camera focuses on the commentary box. As guests on the main stage of this final, Zeyuan, PDD and Rita are all in this category.
There was still half an hour before the opening ceremony, and they had already begun to warm up for the final with the director's instructions.
Zeyuan first read the advertisement of this year's sponsor, his father, and then took the initiative to ask the topic of IG celebrity PDD, "Teacher, what do you think of today's game?"
"To be honest, no matter who wins on either side, it is a historical witness for me as an old man," PDD said with a blushing face and full of energy. "After all, IG is my former team, and Mingkai is My old rival, after going through all kinds of public opinions, is finally going to realize his dream."
After the three commentators explained the data of the two teams respectively, the time soon approached four o'clock.
The camera showed the Incheon Munhyuk Gymnasium.
The place is now overcrowded.
The surrounding noise became extremely quiet the moment the music started playing.
Countdown numbers appear on a screen above the stage.
In the brief silence, a huge cheer suddenly erupted and swept the entire venue.
After the KDA women's team still appeared.
The MV of the S8 World Championship suddenly sounded.
The dense rhythmic sound resounded in Wenhe Gymnasium again.
The playing of "RIse" brought the audience to a climax.
Three original singers and a Korean Rapper performed the theme song live.
After the last tone fell.
Li Nian seemed to recall the scene when he and his classmates watched the game in front of the screen in school.
"Let us welcome the team to the stage!" Roaring Emperor appeared in the center of the stage, "First, the third seed team from LPL, EDG!"
"Top laner Khan, jungler Karsa, mid laner Scout, bottom laner Iboy, support jungler Meiko, and substitute jungler ClearLove7!"
With a wave of his hand, the camera passed over the EDG players one by one, and the players' eyes were ignited with an incomparable desire for victory.
"Next," Roaring Emperor protracted, "Let us welcome the No. 1 seed team from LPL, last year's defending world champion, IG!"
IG fans in the stadium below waved the panda-colored team flags, and countless spectators spontaneously sang the theme song of this year’s global finals.
"Top laner Theshy, jungler Fly, mid laner Rookie, ADcarry JackeyLove and their support Baolan."
"Head coach Kkoma and their substitute top laner Bin!"
The cheers and applause lasted for nearly a minute before gradually disappearing.
"Whether a new king takes the throne today or IG continues to build a double crown dynasty, let us hand over the picture to the two teams participating in today's finals!"
Since the venue was too empty and there were a large number of spectators, Riot Games specially prepared a soundproof room in order not to affect the performance of the players.
"Brothers, come on!"
Li Nian picked up the paper cup and took a sip. "Today's last BO5 is over. I'll get off work early!"
After adjusting their emotions before the game, today's IG players are full of confidence and will definitely let EDG see what it means to be the son of the version.
Li Nian took a deep breath.
He never dreamed that in just one year, he would be on the stage of the global finals again.
And we still have to compete for the second IG championship.
In the LPL official commentary box, two veteran commentators, Wawa and Miller, took over the main stage.
"Welcome to the stage of the 2018 League of Legends Global Finals! I am a doll!"
"I'm Miller!"
There was no unnecessary nonsense between the two. After the two sides tossed coins, Kkoma finally got the priority to choose the side during the coin tossing session.
I took the initiative to get the advantage in the first, third, and fifth rounds, and was the first to choose the blue side.
In the soundproof room, Kkoma stopped looking at the notebook in his hand and directly arranged for Jiang Chenglu to disable Jace.
Although IG can also take down Piltover's second battalion commander, after all, it's not easy to shoot Jace on the blue side.
And Khan is not like RNG who can't take out Jess. He is Jess's manpower. He was beaten badly when Kkoma coached SKT last year.
He didn't want to make the same mistake today.
EDG decisively banned Qinggang Shadow. This is the experience summed up by all the blood and tears of all teams. They learned it even if they copied their homework.
"IG's second move is to ban Han Bing, not wanting EDG to use Ashe's E skill to lock Brother Nian's position in the early stage."
The first game of the final.
The BPs of both sides have been deduced countless times before the game, and in the absence of huge variables, they are basically advancing normally.
Therefore, BP is very fast.
"EDG banned Sword Demon and Akali, while IG banned Kassa who used a lot of wine barrels in the World Championship."
In banning of both teams.
IG locked Urgot down first.
Among the warrior heroes outside, only Sword Girl is still outside and can use it.
But if Yasuo is not banned.
If EDG rashly picks Dao Mei and is countered by IG, it will be very difficult for them.
So in order to avoid accidents.
They prioritized locking down Xia Luo in the bottom lane.
IG was not polite and locked Yasuo directly, and then helped Baolan get the bull head.
EDG also guessed it.
After Yasuo was selected, Scout took the initiative to lock down Syndra.
Both sides entered the second round of BP.
IG's middle and top heroes are all purely physical damage heroes. EDG directly banned the Rock Bird that Li Nian used more frequently, as well as the Widow who was used in the group stage.
IG, on the other hand, once again blocked Khan's better weapons, Weapon Master and Crocodile, to prevent Khan from getting advantageous heroes online.
The EDG head coach thought for a moment.
Then Kasa took down Xin Zhao.
Kkoma shook his head. All the AP heroes that can be used in the jungle position have been banned or selected.
The only ones that can be used are spiders and snowmen.
But today's Spider's priority is not very strong, and it is even a bit inferior to the revised Widow.
The Yeti doesn't fit in with IG's lineup at all, and it's even a bit slow and has too short hands.
Li Nian finally focused his attention on the troublemaker and asked Jack to lock down the many Ike who had not taken out his weapon.
Then Jack got Kai'Sa, who has been feeling hot recently.
EDG was forced to have no choice but to give Khan the choice of Sion as the front-row hero.
The lineups of both sides are finally confirmed:
Blue square IG: top laner Urgot, jungler Ekko, mid laner Yasuo, bottom lane Kai'Sa + Niutou.
Red side EDG: top laner Thain, jungler Xin Zhao, mid laner Syndra, bottom lane Xia Luo.
