Congratulations to AL! They defeated HLE 1-0 to secure their first victory! Shanks was fierce like a war god, while Viper couldn’t save the day.

In the S15 World Championship Swiss round BO1 match between HLE and AL, AL won 1-0, earning their first victory! Congratulations to AL for a great start to their debut!

HLE banned Qiyana, Sion, Wukong, Xin Zhao, and Camille, opting for Quasanti top, Jarvan jungle, Ryze mid, and Kai'Sa with Alistar bot; AL banned Anivia, Nautilus, Alora, Orianna, and Jarvan, choosing Excavator top, Pantheon jungle, Cassiopeia mid, and Yuumi with Neeko bot.

At 2 minutes, HLE’s mid, jungle, and support ganked Shanks’ Ryze, but AL’s jungle and support quickly responded and countered, scoring a 0-for-2 exchange and securing first blood. Early on, AL took two dragons, while HLE repeatedly killed Saint’s Excavator, keeping the economy even. At 17 minutes, AL secured the dragon soul; Kael’s Neeko initiated to stop the steal, but Delight’s Alistar counter-engaged on three players, allowing HLE to turn the fight. Hope’s Yuumi was instantly killed, and Viper’s Kai'Sa scored a quadra kill. After a 1-for-4 exchange, HLE took the Rift Herald and gained a 2k gold lead. At 20 minutes, HLE aggressively engaged on Urgot, but AL arrived to contest. Zeus’ Quasanti initiated the fight, Hope’s Yuumi was killed again, but Shanks’ Cassiopeia first took down Zeka’s Ryze and then assisted in a triple kill, wiping HLE. At 23 minutes, both teams fought over the dragon; HLE secured it, while AL killed two HLE members and destroyed the mid tier 1 tower.

At 25 minutes, HLE swiftly took the first Baron; AL rushed to stop them, but Viper’s Kai'Sa dove into the backline, and AL’s two carries were eliminated, resulting in a 3-for-4 trade favoring HLE. At 28 minutes, HLE took another dragon uncontested, and AL couldn’t maintain the electric dragon soul momentum. At 32 minutes, HLE initiated a fight, but Shanks’ Cassiopeia used her stopwatch to stall, and Tarzan’s Pantheon ultimate arrived to assist. Shanks was unstoppable like a war god; AL turned the fight around with a 0-for-4 exchange and secured the second Baron. Viper tried to contest the dragon, but Kael’s Neeko claimed the electric dragon soul. In the ensuing skirmish, AL killed three HLE players again. At 39 minutes, AL caught Zeus’ Quasanti in the jungle and took the third Baron. HLE opted to fight the Elder Dragon, but after AL finished Baron, they killed Delight’s Alistar and Peanut’s Jarvan. Finally, at 40 minutes, AL wiped HLE in a team fight and won the match.

So, what are your thoughts on this match? Feel free to share your comments and discuss below.