The stage is all set for the annual League of Legends World Championship. While the competition begins in earnest on October 10, the fun for several teams begins on October 1 as part of the tournament’s play-in stage, where teams compete for the final seeds for the group stage. Of those teams, the participants of Group B will have their own challenges ahead of them.
Courtesy of Gamepedia
Hailing from the LJL, DetonatioN FocusMe looks to redeem their region’s pride. While the LJL has had their chances to achieve international glory, the region has always seemed to fall short. If the LJL would ever have a chance to even advance past the group stage, it may be through DFM. DFM has won multiple LJL championships, thanks to longtime players Yuta “Yutapon” Sugiura and Kyohei “Ceros” Yoshda. If the players of Japan were to have a team to get behind, this would seem like the logical choice. However, their dreams of greater international success may be cut short when considering their competition.
Courtesy of LoL Esports Flickr
At the 2014 World Championship, KaBuM! e-Sports shocked fans by upsetting the European favorites, Alliance Gaming. While KaBuM! did not advance on to the next stage of the tournament, their performance (along with help from their friends at Cloud9) proved that even underdogs can have their day.
Now, four years later, the famed Brazilian organization has another chance at making history.
Courtesy of LoL Esports Flickr
To round out the group, NA’s long-standing Gauntlet champion, Cloud9, looks to make their way to another World Group Stage. The team has had a rollercoaster year, experiencing large highs and deep lows. Last year, the team handily swept their play-in opponents. This year, C9 looks to once again do the same and prove that they are continued to be an international contender.
While the team is the heavy favorite, their spot in the Group Stage is not guaranteed. This year, C9 is starting three rookies, two of which have only taken a starting spot halfway through the summer season. If C9 is to rise above the competition, it will be through their veteran players, Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi and Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen
Predictions: 1st – Cloud9, 2nd – KaBuM!, 3rd – DFM
C9’s experience and talent make them the clear favorite and should have no time against their competition. KaBuM! would then fall in line after, as Brazil has slowly been growing into a more competitive region. Lastly, we have DFM bringing up the rear. While they could upset either of their opponents, the LJL’s international history would prove this to be a highly unlikely outcome.
You can follow Mason on Twitter here: @masonjenkinstgh Also be sure to follow The Game Haus on Twitter and Facebook so you can get more and esports action.
Featured Image courtesy of Riot Games. Images courtesy of LoL Esports Flickr
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
