T1 vs G2 Esports

Talking about this particular Best of 5 is actually a lot harder than it might seem at first glance. There's quite a lot of history between these two legendary organizations; so much so, in fact, that we haven't the foggiest clue as to who'll come out on top, once the dust settles and all.

T1 are obviously favored (as if you couldn't surmise as much by glancing at the odds), but they're actually not *that* much better or more layered or more dangerous than their European adversaries. They're not as proficient at the current meta, they're not as aggressive, commanding, confident in their play and ability to deliver in front of a live audience -- an audience that just so happens to be screaming *their* names and expecting *them* to execute at the highest of levels and put on a show.

That's quite a lot of pressure for a team that is fairly inexperienced in that regard. Faker has obviously been through it all, but his teammates haven't. By the time they joined T1 (or most of them, at least), the COVID-19 pandemic was already in full swing. They haven't experienced any stage freight, there was never anything concrete on the line, their clicks never mattered as much as they do now, and their plays were never as examined and observed in such great detail as is the case in 2022.

And, naturally, some players handle this better than others. It's a lot to deal with, especially in front of a live audience that came specifically to watch *you* play. Fortunately, this T1 bunch is more than up to the task, although their play *is*, in all fairness, a bit too shaky for our liking. They had had the absolute worst read on the meta for what felt like an eternity, and their unwillingness to "get with the times" became more and more evident as the tournament progressed. They were still able to win more often than not -- what with them being talented and able beyond measure -- but that was never going to be enough against a team like Royal Never Give Up and perhaps even G2 Esports to a certain extent (and T1 knew as much, too).

All of that being said, we have to be fair here: T1 have evolved when it mattered most, and if their last few performances are anything to go by, they're entering the third and final stage of the tournament with an inhumane amount of momentum behind their backs. They were able to not only beat G2 to a pulp but outclass Royal Never Give Up as well. That's about as good of a finish as they could have hoped for -- and boy are we excited to once again see them play!

T1 have all the potential in the world. They're not perfect, and certain players of theirs (Gumayusi, in particular) haven't been as impressive as we thought they'd be. Be that as it may, no one should be reading too much into their few inconsistencies and failures. It happens to everyone. The important thing is that they've bounced back and are currently in top form -- and in the nick of time, too!

G2 Esports, on the other hand, are one big enigma. They're a mystery we're not quite sure how to solve and whether or not we even want to solve it in the first place. There's something magical in watching them play, although it is, in all fairness, a stressful experience, one that is comprised of both total elation and a bewilderment that has no equal -- depending on the day, of course.

This M.O. of theirs is, at times, a tremendous problem, but also a benefit that -- when harnessed appropriately -- can net them an upper hand. It is a double-edged sword, in short, and is something they both live *and* die by.

After upending the status quo at the very start of the tournament, G2 sort of regressed, and their five-game losing streak came as a natural by-product. Not only did their play deteriorate, but their opponents also realized what needed to be done and had made the correct adjustments, therefore nullifying G2's biggest advantages.

Their drafting also took a weird U-turn and, needless to say, it wasn't for the better. They're still an incredible dangerous team, but we're not so sure whether their issues can really be solved in a few days' time. It goes a lot deeper than the surface and is not something that can easily (and swiftly) be tackled and ameliorated on a moment's notice.

Regardless, they should give their most prominent players -- by which we mean their mid and jungle duo -- priority in the draft, ample agency, and the right kind of support. If G2 are going to end up leaving a mark, it'll almost certainly come through their most seasoned veterans (hardly a surprise). Flakked and Targamas have sort of taken a back seat (for better *and* worse), and probably won't be able to make waves against a surging T1 -- at least not in the same capacity as was the case just two weeks ago.

With "bulletproof" drafts (the kinds that scale well into the late game and prioritize late game teamfighting over everything else), they might even stand a chance. They are by no means favored to win here (as evidenced by the odds), but they could definitely push T1 in a myriad of different ways and, in doing so, entertain us in the process.

That, however, is the most we're willing to "give" them. An upset almost certainly *isn't* in the cards; we wouldn't go so far as to call it "impossible" but *exceedingly unlikely* does feel fairly appropriate and, perhaps most importantly, accurate.

With all of that being said, predicting how well G2 will do and whether or not they'll put up a fight always feels nigh impossible. There are simply too many elements of the equation, too many factors at play, that making any kind of statement (with confidence, at least) feels foolish and ludicrous. We *do* think they'll put up a fight, but they're not capable enough to keep up with T1 across a five-game series.

Of that much we are wholly certain.