The groups have been decided for this year’s World Championship in League of Legends, and fans are already buzzing.
Developer Riot Games announced the groups during a group selection ceremony on Saturday. Qualified teams were divided into three different pots based on their region and seeding in that region.
The biggest match to be set during the group drawing was in group C, where fans will get to see an immediate rematch of the Mid-Season Invitational final where Edward Gaming defeated SK Telecom T1 in a wild five-game series. Speculation has already begun as to whether SK will start Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok or Lee “Easyhoon” Ji-hoon as their mid-laner versus Edward Gaming, with the former having been more successful in Tallahassee, Florida.
Reigning North American LCS champions Counter Logic Gaming had the most fortunate draw of any of the top seeds, landing Yoe Flash Wolves, Koo Tigers, and Pain Gaming in group A. Advancing will still be a challenge for the American team, but dodging Chinese opponents, drawing arguably the weakest of the Korean teams, and drawing a wild card team in Brazil’s Pain Gaming make for an appetizing group.
Even CLG’s own jungler had to admit it was a lucky turn for this team.
Very fortunate.
— Jake Puchero (@LoLXmithie) September 12, 2015
European LCS champions Fnatic will face China’s Invictus Gaming, Taiwan’s Ahq Esports Club, and surprise qualifier Cloud9 in group B. Fnatic will be heavy favorites to advance and should have a fair opportunity to prepare themselves for a potential run through the playoff bracket.
Group D looks to be the most challenging. LPL champions LGD Gaming drew the summer split runners-up in the North American LCS, European LCS, and the LCK: Team SoloMid, Origen, and KT Rolster. Every team here will be tested. Fans of TSM have reason for concern, as do those hoping to see Origen’s Enrique “Xpeke” Cedeño-Martinez make another deep run at Worlds.
The World Championship tournament begins Oct. 1 in Paris.
