Following the seventh week of the LCK's second regular season, the EWC qualifiers resumed. In the winners' bracket final, T1 faced DK and won after just four games, claiming the second EWC slot from the LCK. Faker played flawlessly in this BO5, securing solo kills on ShowMaker and providing excellent map movements. Had it not been for a questionable Baron attempt in the second game, they could have won 3-0.

The second match was HLE versus NS. In this BO3, Hanwha Life easily swept Nongshim in two games, advancing to the losers' bracket final. DK will now face HLE after their match with T1. Barring any surprises, ShowMaker might end up as the "ticket seller," handing out two EWC qualifications. Given HLE's current form and strength, it's tough for DK to win unless Kanavi goes on a rampage and the entire DK team performs exceptionally well to upset HLE.

NS launches a "Debt Repayment" meal bundle

After losing to HLE, NS is out of the EWC contention. Their regular season record stands at 4-12, and they've been eliminated from the LCK playoffs with two games still to play. Before facing Hanwha Life, Nongshim's mid laner Scout sparked another controversy. The reason: Nongshim's internet café in Vietnam recently introduced a snack bundle called "Debt Repayment," which used Scout's portrait on its promotional material.

Scout's fans, upon seeing the bundle name, directly called out NS: "This is a negative nickname for Scout. I don't know if the Korean branch reviewed the bundle's name." NS responded by acknowledging the severity and taking the bundle down. Using a player's derogatory nickname to name a meal set is really thoughtless from NS. Don't the management realize that customers visiting are mostly fans?

G2 qualifies for the Mid-Season Invitational

Outside of the LPL and LCK, other LOL regions have already started their playoffs. The European LEC is the fastest, with the winners' bracket final already concluded. G2 faced MKOI in a five-game thriller, ultimately pulling off a reverse sweep to win 3-2 and advance to the finals. With at least a runner-up finish, they've secured a spot at the Mid-Season Invitational. G2 is the second team globally to earn an MSI berth.

This BO5 was incredibly intense. In the deciding game, by the 26-minute mark, MKOI had destroyed G2's mid and top lane inhibitor towers and held a 10,000 gold lead. Everyone thought G2 was about to lose, but they won three consecutive teamfights and managed to turn the game around despite the huge deficit. One team can't play with a lead, and the other can't play from behind. Europe really has its share of bizarre teams.

Viper returns to prepare for playoffs

The LPL playoffs will start in just three days. BLG chose their most familiar opponent, WE, from the four teams that advanced through the "Knight's Path." Compared to the other three Nirvana teams, BLG indeed knows WE better, so playing it safe is reasonable. Fans were worried about Viper's hand injury affecting his playoff performance, but BLG's response suggests it's not a major issue since he has already returned.

BLG's match against WE is scheduled for the 30th, four days away. Viper returned five or six days early to train for the playoffs, so his hand injury seems mostly healed. Honestly, even without Viper, BLG likely wouldn't lose this BO5. After WE secured their playoff spot on the 23rd, BLG probably started studying them. There's already a gap in skill, and with a week of preparation, it should be a safe win.

Conclusion:

G2's dominance in the LEC is immense. They often barely scrape into the playoffs, ranking near the bottom in the regular season, but suddenly unleash their full strength in the postseason. They swept KC 3-1 and overturned a 10,000-gold deficit against MKOI. It seems like every domestic match is theirs to win whenever they choose.

So, do you think DK can defeat HLE?

Feel free to leave your comments below!