After the LPL loser's bracket semifinals ended, there is a four-day break. BLG and WE, the two teams competing in the loser's bracket final, both have ample time to analyze their opponent's playstyle. WE has already been thoroughly analyzed, and it seems impossible for them to defeat BLG again, regardless of their approach. Moreover, fortune favors BLG in this BO5: during the coin toss to determine side selection for the first game, BLG came out on top.

In the first game of the BO5, BLG can choose either red or blue side, or the first pick in the ban/pick phase. Actually, whether they pick the map or the draft order, the difference is not huge. Under the current format, if you choose the map, the first pick in ban/pick goes to the opponent. The advantage of having side selection is not as significant as before. The outcome of the match ultimately depends on the raw strength of the two teams. When these two meet, as long as BLG doesn't get overconfident and make mistakes, they are unlikely to lose.

LYON qualifies for the Mid-Season Invitational

The playoffs for all five major League of Legends regions are nearing their end. In the North American LCS, the winners' bracket final just concluded, where LYON swept C9 3-0 to advance to the finals, securing the first MSI spot for the NA region. The "Indian God King" Dhokla posted a combined score of 14-9-30 across three games, earning the series MVP. At the First Stand event, Bin didn't get to face Dhokla, but this MSI might offer a chance for revenge.

Seven teams have already secured their spots: G2 and TSW won their regional championships and directly qualified for the main event. The LPL, thanks to having the First Stand champion, has both teams directly entering the main stage—TES benefited from BLG's achievement. Additionally, the Brazilian team Black Panther received a direct invitation to the main event. The remaining teams, DCG and KC, will have to start from the play-in stage. As for LYON, their seed placement will depend on the outcome of their finals.

DK coach makes inappropriate sexual joke in public

After two BO5 matches in the LCK's MSI qualifiers, there is a five-day break before the schedule resumes on the 12th. During DK's match against KT, it was already absurd that they lost two consecutive games despite holding the Dragon Soul and having an economic lead of over 5K. But their head coach, "Maige," was even more bizarre. Recently, he was penalized by the organization for making an inappropriate sexual joke. The incident stemmed from a post-match media question: "How did it feel to lose with a 10K lead in the fourth game?"

Maige immediately replied, "It feels like just finishing foreplay and then having to stop." Goodness, this is Cvmax indeed—how could he say such a thing in public? It seems the coach has been driven crazy by his players. Even funnier was Lucid, who attended the interview alongside the coach and managed to keep a straight face. Shortly after these remarks, DK imposed disciplinary penalties on the coach, and the club issued a public apology.

LPL Asian Games preliminary roster leaked

After the League of Legends event was cut, the Asian Games no longer concerns us. However, the leaker "Hongcha" recently revealed the preliminary roster for the Asian Games. In his leak, he only mentioned the first letters of the players' IDs: B, X, T, K, G, O. The corresponding players are likely top laner Bin, junglers Xun and Tian, mid laner Knight, bot laner Gala, and support ON. The roster was built around BLG's core.

The existence of a preliminary roster suggests that the LOL event was canceled midway. Looking at the playoffs in the second split, it's probably a good thing they didn't go. Given Gala's current form, he would have been crushed by the "Big Egg" (Gumayusi). Apart from JackeyLove, the other top domestic AD carries in the LPL are not in great shape. It seems the leadership had good instincts—if the LPL had participated, they would likely have gotten at most a silver medal.

Conclusion:

This year's MSI features a total of 11 participating teams, with only four spots remaining. These four spots are in the LPL, LCK, and LCS. The LCK has yet to determine any of its representatives, while the LPL and LCS each have only one loser's bracket final left to decide all their spots. I wonder if the LPL can continue its winning streak at this international tournament.

So, which two teams do you think will qualify from the LCK?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!