In the first match of the LCK 2021 Regional Qualifiers for the last two spots at Worlds 2021, Hanwha Life Esports defeated Liiv SANDBOX with a score of 3-1. The outstanding performances from Chovy and Deft were crucial in helping HLE continue their journey to Europe this year.
In the decisive game 4, HLE made a very unusual ban by selecting Rammus – a champion that had never appeared in any matches during the LCK Summer 2021 group stage, and the only time Rammus showed up in the Regional Qualifiers was in… the ban by HLE against LSB.
Explaining this surprising choice, Chovy gave a response that was equally surprising: “I think if we let them use Lee Sin, it would be more beneficial for us, so I just randomly banned a champion without really intending to pick Rammus.”
It can be said that Chovy and his teammates studied their opponents quite thoroughly and were ready for any banning decisions from them. Lee Sin is an extremely mobile champion with high potential for making impactful plays, from laning phase to team fights and contesting major objectives. Furthermore, Lee Sin can be utilized in both top lane and jungle, but HLE was willing to give their opponents such a strong option. And in fact, it showed, as in game 4, HLE completely outplayed their opponents, from the laning phase to the snowballing stage. Lee Sin in Croco’s hands could do nothing except become the champion with the most kills, accounting for half of LSB’s total of 4 kills.
In the upcoming match, HLE will face Nongshim RedForce – a team currently considered quite strong compared to HLE, despite them recently being swiftly defeated by DK with a score of 3-0 in the playoffs. Another victory will officially help Chovy and his teammates continue their journey in the international arena this year in 2021.