After over a month of grueling competition, two teams remain to battle for supremacy at the 2017 League of Legends World Championship Finals at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing. Want to get up to speed on the the biggest match of the year? Look no further -- we’ve got you covered!
In a historical first for League of Legends, the World Championship will feature a rematch between last year’s finalists. Both SK Telecom T1 and Samsung Galaxy battled their way back to the Finals, but their paths through the Knockout Stage couldn’t have been more different.
SK Telecom, who’s known for being dominant internationally, barely survived through two hard fought series. Europe’s Misfits Gaming gave them a huge test in the Quarterfinals, nearly taking down the defending world champs before falling in an emotional fifth game. Then in the Semifinals SK Telecom barely edged China’s Royal Never Give Up in another tension-filled five game set. It’s not often that SK Telecom is pushed to the brink twice in two weeks, but their poise in those tight games was exceptional. With that being said, they’ll need to continue cleaning up their play if they want to emerge as champions.
Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy absolutely blasted their way through the Knockout Stage. They went into their Quarterfinal matchup with Longzhu Gaming as huge underdogs, but against all odds, swept aside the favorites with a decisive 3-0 victory. China’s Team WE put up a slightly more competitive fight in the Semifinals, but after getting stomped in game one, Samsung rattled off three straight wins. The match became a showcase for Samsung’s potential-- complete with masterful shotcalling and brilliant map control. They’ve got some serious momentum heading into Beijing, but they’ll have their hands full as they try to avenge last year’s devastating Finals loss.
It’s another year and another championship bout for Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee. Despite these lofty expectations, he continues to surprise and impress. SK Telecom’s superstar mid laner makes you work for every inch gained and has no problem throwing you back a mile after a slight miscalculation.
He’s a bonafide master of just about any conceivable play style. In addition, his ocean-deep champion pool makes him impossible to ban out and his mastery of the Rift as a whole makes him an absolute terror to contend with in -- and out -- of lane.
Samsung need to look elsewhere for weaknesses in SK Telecom because attempting to shut down Faker has historically been a tall task. Samsung’s strategy should emphasize efficient damage control over attempting to stopping him outright. Faker’s been here before and Samsung know from experience that they can’t bank on him faltering now.
A place where Samsung do have a clear-cut advantage is in the jungle. While SK Telecom’s duo of junglers have struggled mightily to find consistency, Chan-yong “Ambition” Kang has become the bedrock that Samsung’s built their title hopes upon. He’s not incredibly flashy or the most mechanically gifted player, but his communication and shotcalling have made him an invaluable asset during Samsung’s Knockout Stage run.
It’s easy to overlook him in favor of stars like Seong-jin “CuVee” Lee or Min-ho “Crown” Lee, but his importance to the team runs much deeper than talent alone. Samsung is clearly stacked with star power, but their success at Worlds has stemmed from staying one step ahead of their opponents at all times.
That doesn’t happen magically. It takes an in-game leader like Ambition who can process any available information and use it to make split-second judgments under immense pressure. It’s not an easy or glamorous job, but his team’s success hinges on the accuracy of his calls. Samsung needs him to put last year’s heartbreaking defeat in the rearview so that he’ll be able to steady the ship when the seas inevitably get rough in Beijing.
This year’s Finals has a level of familiarity that’s rarely seen in esports. Both squads hail from the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) circuit where they’ve faced off against each other in two full splits of competition in 2017. On top of that, they’re both just over a year removed from their first meeting on the World Championship Finals stage where SK Telecom claimed victory in a five game thriller. You could say that these teams have a bit of a history.
Since both teams know each other so well, the margin for error shrinks dramatically. Windows of opportunities will close quicker, decisions will need to be made lightning quick, and communication must be crystal clear. It’s a situation that strips surprise out of the equation and instead doubles down on teamwork and raw skill. It’s going to require laser-accurate precision to find cracks in either team’s armor.
That makes this the type of matchup that esports purists dream of. The money will be made in the small, seemingly minute details. Every move made carries extra weight, not just because of the stakes, but because each team is well versed in punishing the other’s mistakes. Star players always play an important role, but in this showdown teamwork is absolutely paramount. At this point there’s only two options: win and be crowned World Champions, or lose and leave empty handed for home.
Who do you have winning the 2017 League of Legends World Championship? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to catch the action as it unfolds on Twitch starting at 12 AM PST and 3 PM CT when SK Telecom T1 and Samsung Galaxy battle once again for a chance to hoist the Summoner’s Cup on November 4th.
Images courtesy of Riot Games’ Flickr.
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