

As the Group Draw show for the 2017 League of Legends World Championship ended, OGN prepared a short interview session with the three LCK teams that are going to the Worlds with the head coach and one player from each team on stage. Longzhu Gaming was represented by Head Coach Donghoon "Hirai" Kang and Jongin "PraY" Kim, SK Telecom T1 was represented by Head Coach Byunghoon "cCarter" Choi and Sanghyuk "Faker" Lee, while Samsung Galaxy had Head Coach Woobeom "Edgar" Choi and Seongjin "CuVee" Lee.



Before the groups were drawn, cCarter commented how he'd like to "crush" EDward Gaming for defeating SKT T1 in the MSI 2015. However, when he was actually drawn into the same group as EDG and even ahq, he commented that he felt like he was playing in the Rift Rivals again. Faker was more direct about their 'misfortune', as he said: "Except for our group, I think all other groups look easy."





Longzhu Gaming was drawn into the same group as Immortals and Gigabyte Marines. Hirai Kang evaluated his group by saying: "Immortals got a lot stronger with Coach SSONG on board, but they won't be an upset as we have analyzed most of their games and almost done with analysis. We are going to finish the Group Stage in first place, so I hope that all other teams here can also finish in first place so that we won't have to face each other in quarterfinals."



PraY also pointed out that "I wasn't so happy when I saw us being drawn into the same group as Immortals, but I think it's okay after seeing how it is for other groups." and predicted that they'll advance to the Knockout Stage together with Immortals.



Samsung Galaxy was drawn into Group C together with G2 Esports and Royal Never Give Up - the two strongest team in their respective regions. Edgar showed envy towards Team SoloMid by saying "I think we have a good chance of beating both Flash Wolves and Misfits if we were in Group D."



After short impressions of their groups, the questions moved on to the topic of World Championship in general. When asked whether they had been sure that they'd make it to the Worlds, Faker answered with how difficult it was after the Rift Rivals: "We had been sure before the Summer Split, but it was very difficult after the first half of the Summer Split."



On the other hand, PraY told the exact opposite answer. "I would have said 'No' during the Spring Split, but we saw the chance when we got to the Summer Split."



All three teams were positive about their chances to finish the Group Stage in first place. However, they each shared possible variables such as lack of overseas experience and getting used to local dishes.







When the players were each asked about whether they think that they are the best, PraY had to point out his grudge against SKT. "I don't think I can say that I'm the best when Faker is around. I even went to more Worlds than Faker, but we got knocked out by SKT three times out of the five times that I've been there."



Although the rosters for the Worlds haven't been announced yet, the issue of substitute players were also brought up. Hirai said that they have already chosen their sixth player in the middle of the Summer Split, and cCarter took longer but recently chose their sixth player after long discussions. Edgar also agreed with other coaches on how the sixth member should be the player that the team needs.



Hirai ended the interview by saying: "We have to be desperate to do well. We'll do our best without hubris." cCarter vowed that they'll do their best. "We've always done well in the Worlds, but I don't think we are going to win for sure. We'll do our best to get to the finals and to prove that we are not in a slump." Edgar also wrapped the interview as he said: "We are sad and glad at the same time because we are going to the Worlds as the third seed from LCK, but as we were the runner-up last year, I'll prove that every team needs to watch out for LCK's third seed."



Photos taken from OGN Twitch stream