On the 18th of December (KST), Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) faced KeG Seoul for the 2018 KeSPA Cup Day 1.



Different compared to the first series, this matchup was a pro LCK team going against an amateur team. As a matter of fact, KeG Seoul is a team composed of only amateur players that are currently training under pro organizations. They don't even have an on-stage coach for their picks & bans.



However, this team, with only amateur players, made a huge upset by defeating the LCK's HLE. Although they did not have any coaching staff with them, the players seemed to recover completely from their rather frustrating defeat on game 1. Each time HLE tried to use their macro game to snowball, KeG Seoul stopped them with delivering stellar performances in skirmishes and teamfights. The highlight of the series was when they managed to kill few of the HLE members near the Baron pit on game 3. After this huge victory, they secured the buff and closed down the game.



This match was a great example of what the current LoL meta is on. KeG Seoul picked aggressive, early game focused champions in their draft. They also knew how to use up-to-date meta picks, such as picking Caitlyn early in the picks & bans for games 2 and 3.



After the series, KeG Seoul's ADC, Gumayusi was interviewed.

Can you introduce yourself?

Gumayusi: Hi I'm Gumayusi, currently the ADC for KeG Seoul. I'm also a trainee for SKT T1.

An amateur team managed to defeat a pro team. How does it feel?

We were pressured to face a tough team like Hanwha Life Esports. We were quite struck hard after the loss in game 1. However, I feel really happy that we came from behind and won games 2 and 3.

It must have been tough since the team does not have any coaches. Among the players, who tried to cheer up the team after losing game 1?

Since we lost without doing anything in game 1, I was a bit frustrated. However, we gathered together and tried to cheer up. That's how we recovered and won game 2.

Who did the players choose as the MVP for this series?

They each chose themselves... So, I might as well choose myself also.

Why did you pick Caitlyn early in the draft?

For this patch version the tournament is using, Caitlyn has been buffed quite a lot. I tried her out in game 2 and I got good results on her. That's why I was confident about using her in game 3.

Do you have anything to say to your support, POP?

I nag often when playing games. I'm thankful for him that he still performed well.

Do you have anything to say to your fans?

Since we are an amateur team, I'm not even sure whether we have fans or not. I believe that we might have earned some from this victory and I hope you guys keep on supporting us.