After dropping just a single game during the Group Stage, Group D winners Fnatic take on Group C runners-up Edward Gaming in the quarter-finals of the World Championship.
Fnatic were the Western team with the most hype surrounding them entering the tournament, given their star players and well-rounded roster. Yet it is fair to say Fnatic have still been able to exceed expectations, snatching away the top seeding from Invictus Gaming off the back of a clean 4-0 final day, including a tie-breaker.
The star of this squad is Mid-laner Caps, considered one of the best talents to ever come out of the region. With a seemingly-endless champion pool and an incredibly-high mechanical ceiling, Caps is the embodiment of a star player. He certainly still has his flaws, as shown by his poor performance in the first match against IG, but the majority of the time he will not only perform well, but take over the match too.
Six-man roster key
Joining Caps as a star player is Bottom-laner Rekkles, who was benched earlier in the year for his inability to adapt to the mage and bruiser-heavy Bottom lane.
However, since rejoining the starting line-up, Rekkles has been a force, especially on the likes of Tristana. Perhaps Rekkles’ best attribute is his ability to lane 1v2 while his Support Hylissang attempts to roam mid in order to put Caps ahead.
Fnatic are also one of the teams most suited to a best-of-five environment, given they are most willing to utilise their six-man roster, with both sOAZ and Bwipo seeing time in the Top lane.
Despite the other stars on the squad, the player to watch in this one is Jungler Broxah, who is slowly rising in status. Another player with a deep champion pool who thrives with co-ordinated team play, Broxah has emerged as a dangerous Lee Sin player who can also play the more traditional champions such as Olaf.
Broxah and Hylissang’s play around the Mid lane will be a pivotal part of Fnatic’s attempt to reach the semi-finals.
EDG hard to quantify
Opponents EDG showed their highs and lows in Group C, especially on the final day. With the ability to take down one of the top dogs in kt Rolster before falling to a struggling Team Liquid squad, EDG are a difficult team to judge heading into this match-up.
The talent on the roster remains undeniable, with the likes of iBoy and Scout being some of the most respected players for their mechanical abilities. EDG are all about pushing the limits in team fights, attempting to keep going further and further when many other teams would turn tail and run. Despite, at times, being over aggressive, the tactic works out more times than not due to the skill and co-ordination within this line-up.
Like Fnatic, EDG also have the ability to utilise a six-man line-up, in this case the experienced Jungler Clearlove waits in the wings. EDG have generally leant towards the more aggressive Haro, although they could turn to the veteran given the pressure of the moment.
For many, this match boils down to whether or not Mid-laner Scout is able to sustain himself through the enormous amount of pressure Fnatic will send his way.
Notoriously one of the most streaky players at the highest level, Scout appears to be trending upwards at this event, playing incredibly well during the length of the Group Stage. However, given his Jekyll-and-Hyde performances previously, all eyes will be on Scout and his duel with Caps.
