Worlds 2022 play-ins has concluded. We have the final 2 names joining the upcoming Group stage: Evil Geniuses and RNG Gaming.
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EG destroys MAD Lions in the Play-ins final to improve the score in the NA vs EU rivalvy
The NA squad completely dominated the Spanish team in all 3 games, an outcome not expected by many. Lots of teams including MAD themselves underestimated the NA 3rd seed and paid dearly. Nisqy even predicted a 3-0 but turns out it was for EG.
Phenomenal games from Impact, Jojopyun and solid ADC performance from Kaori carried EG to victory while MAD fell apart completely despite efforts from Jungler elyoya. With this loss MAD Lions becomes the first team from major region to fail Play-ins twice at Worlds, the last time in 2020.
DetonatioN FocusMe was expectedly defeated by Chinese giants RNG but not before scoring 1st game for LJL against LPL
DFM came into the series with practically 0 chance. They are up against one of the juggernauts even in the Chinese LPL. However the Japanese took everyone by surprise with a convincing 1st game victory, and for a moment it looked like they might pull off the biggest upset in history of LoL.
But RNG managed to pull themselves together. Mao’kai is banned and they proceed to pummel DFM with their superior teamfights. By game 4 it has devolved into a curbstomp and DFM bows out 4-19.
The Japanese boys have nothing to feel ashamed of. They achieved a couple of milestones for the LJL: 1st game taken off LPL, 1st international Bo5 win at Worlds for LJL. DFM has steadily improved over the last few Worlds and hopefully they will come back stronger next year! And Evi, goddamn what a player, phenomenal toplaner!
That concludes our coverage of Worlds play-ins. We’ll continue to cover the group stage, starting October 7th. Stay tuned