Fnatic vs Team SoloMid

What an absolutely spectacular way to start off the day. Group C is filled with exciting match-ups and mind-blowing clashes, but all of them pale in comparison to Fnatic vs. Team SoloMid. It's not that they're the two best teams in the group (spoiler: they're not) or that they'll play better or cleaner League of Legends than LGD Gaming or Gen.G, but rather the fact that this is the quintessential Europe vs. North America match-up. We're talking about two teams that are synonymous with their regions and have legacies that would put even the biggest LCK and LPL orgs to shame (other than, say, T1).

These two behemoths are representing their regions in more ways than one. They're some of the most storied and successful organizations in the world with hordes of roaring fans and passionate followers. And now they're schedule to meet yet again in a highly anticipated match-up that's bound to deliver.

Now, let's make two things clear. One: Fnatic is better in almost every regard, although they might not always show it seeing how they're a lot more volatile. Two: don't expect the cleanest League of Legends from either team going forward. This means that, from the moment they step foot on stage to compete, you can expect absolute chaos -- and we'll love every second of it. There's a lot on the line. First, there's regional pride. Both teams want to embarrass the other and win in as one-sided fashion as possible. Secondly, Fnatic needs this win if they intend on challenging for a spot in the quarterfinals. Team SoloMid is, quite frankly, the easiest opponent of the bunch, and getting a win would push Fnatic into contention. So, in that sense, they're looking to win for a bevy of important reasons.

Team SoloMid, on the other hand, isn't sitting quite as nicely as their LEC peers. TSM doesn't have any wins on the board which means they're all but guaranteed to watch the Knockout Stage back from home. They're just not good enough, neither individually nor as a five-man unit. In true TSM fashion, they've regressed at the worst possible moment, and there's very little reason to believe in their potential resurgence as they're still outmatched by all three of their opponents. Even Bjergsen, who was often their biggest catalyst and win condition, is looking like a pale shadow of his former self. Heck, maybe that's even an understatement. TSM's drafts are abysmal, they're sloppy from start to finish, and they're also making egregious mistakes regardless of whom they're up against. This, in short, means they're all but guaranteed to finish fourth.

Still, they find themselves in a very peculiar position. They don't stand much of a chance of advancing further, but they can definitely take someone down with them and, at best, find a bit of redemption. They know they're better than what they've shown, and they want to save face -- as is only natural after dropping the ball in such emphatic fashion. So if they embrace the underdog mentality and fight their hearts out, they might end up being the team that decides who goes out of groups and who doesn't. All they need is just a single win to crate absolute chaos.

Will they manage to do it, however? Well, the odds are definitely stacked against them, and that holds true regardless of whom they're slated to face. Fnatic, Gen.G, and LGD Gaming are simply on a whole 'nother level, and Team SoloMid -- barring any unexpected twist or mind-blowing resurgence -- simply don't have the tools to compete.

Fnatic, of course, are far from perfect, but if they could get the win once (in pretty dominant fashion), then there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to do so yet again. In any case, expect absolute chaos on all fronts, with both teams fighting like their lives depend on it. In other words: this'll be a must watch!