LCS Playoffs: Cloud9 vs 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses vs FlyQuest

The final week of the 2020 LCS regular Spring Split saw five teams lock in playoffs to join Cloud9. Cloud9 ended the Split with a 17-1 record only losing to TSM throughout. Their incredible run during the Split earned them the top spot at the LCS Standings. Meanwhile, Evil Genuises marked their return to the LCS with a second-place finish after winning the tie-breaker match against 100 Thieves. 100 Thieves settled for third place and FlyQuest came in fourth, finalizing the LCS Playoffs.

TSM ended up with fifth place while Golden Guardians completed a miracle run for sixth place. Reigning LCS Champions, Team Liquid failed to qualify for playoffs and finished the Split in ninth place. Dignitas and Immortals also missed playoffs after losing tiebreakers to Golden Guardians. CLG ended the Split in tenth place with a 3-15 record.

The first weekend of LCS playoffs features Cloud9 versus 100 Thieves and Evil Geniuses versus FlyQuest in the winner’s brackets match. The loser of the C9 game gets to play TSM while the loser of EG’s matchup faces Golden Guardians in the loser’s bracket.

ICYMI: @RivingtonThe3rd breaks down the new format for the 2020 #LCS Spring Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/e7ppkHoeF0

— LCS (@LCSOfficial) March 30, 2020

Evil Geniuses vs FlyQuest

Collage by Rashidat Jimoh. Photos by FlyQuest and Evil Geniuses.

LCS Playoffs’ first match brings FlyQuest taking on Evil Geniuses on April 4 for a chance to advance further in the winner’s bracket. FlyQuest versus EG is a best-of-five series that could go either way. However, there is a lot to take into account in this matchup since both teams hold a unique but similar play style. EG did not have a great start to the Split but things are now different for this team.

A lot of EG’s turn around comes from their midlaner,  Daniele “Jiizuke” di Mauro. EG’s aggressive mid jungle duo is one of the best in the LCS. Their mid and jungle play makes up for their weak top lane phase, but FlyQuest operates on a similar playstyle. Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage and Lucas “Santorin” Tao Kilmer are undoubtedly the engines of the FlyQuest team. FlyQuest also has some top lane issues of their own. The team recently made some top lane changes and will be rotating both players.

Early jungle pressure for both of these teams will impact the series fundamentally. It may all boil down to which team’s support can make those crucial plays. Both support players,  Lee”Ignar” Dong-geun and Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam will need to pull off their best plays. Although this best of five series is a close one, all bets are on EG to see this one out and advance to the next stage. However, EG needs to shut down the support roams and early jungle pressure from FlyQuest to be successful.

Cloud9 vs 100 Thieves

Collage by Rashidat Jimoh. Photos by Cloud9 and 100 Thieves.

A preview for this matchup is a perfect description of a David versus Goliath scenario. After earning first seed in the LCS, Cloud9 found 100 Thieves as their opponents for the winner’s brackets series in the LCS Playoffs. 100 Thieves take on Cloud9 on April 5 for a chance to advance further in the winner’s bracket. And the odds are definitely against them. Cloud 9 are favorites to win the Spring Split playoffs and outmatch 100 Thieves in every way possible. Even though 100 Thieves had a brilliant ending to the regular Spring Split, Cloud9 also did not slow down.

The synergy between the Cloud9 composition and their dominance in early games is overwhelming. All members of the Cloud9 team make it hard for anyone to play against them especially Robert “Blaber” Huang and Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen. The best of five series between these two teams looks like a clean 3-0 for Cloud9. Despite Cloud9’s favorable position, 100 Thieves can still pull off a shock.  With a good draft, 100 Thieves top laner Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho and Tommy “Ryoma” Le can help the team keep up with Cloud 9 and even beat them. The League of Legends Esports site has all the information for fans planning to watch.

Written by Rashidat Jimoh