Worlds 2022 Starts Today | Why Are G2 Esports and Rogue still in EU?
Worlds 2022 is closer than ever, and several teams are already settled in Mexico and New York to prepare for the major competition. But why haven't the top two teams in Europe left for the World Championship yet?
Worlds will begin today in Mexico City for Play-Ins. All the teams are ready, and the first game to start it all off will be Isurus vs. MAD Lions.
Several teams that are qualified for the Worlds 2022 Group Stage have already settled in New York and are preparing there until the Group Stage begins on October 7. In the meantime, the top teams can witness the North American Champions Queue and scrim each other to prepare.
Teams that have scrimmed more will, of course, have a considerable advantage since they have a broader idea about what to expect from their competitors. So now the question remains, why aren't the two European teams, G2 Esports and Rogue, already in New York to prepare for Worlds, whereas several other teams are?
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Riot Games Is Not Ready for Europe
If you thought it was the European organizations' own decision to stay in Europe for this long, you are wrong. According to Jankos, G2 Esports' initial plan was to travel to New York quite early such that they could be a part of the Worlds 2022 preparation together with the other teams. However, Riot did not allow G2 to travel to New York yet.
In Jankos' stream, the Jungler explained that Riot has not yet prepared the hotel rooms for the European teams and therefore, they cannot travel. If G2 were to book their own hotel rooms and set up all the necessary equipment themselves, they would be allowed to go. Because of this, G2 Esports and Rogue are set to leave at a later point in time, even though T1 and all the LPL teams are already in New York.
Also, the European champion Odoamne told the fans on Twitter that he finds it strange that he and his team, Rouge, are not yet in New York despite Worlds Group Stage only being eight days away. He now wishes the best of luck to the two European teams in Play-Ins, Fnatic and MAD Lions.
Also Fnatic Encounters Problems Getting to Worlds
The European third-place team, Fnatic, has had different problems getting to Worlds 2022. One week before their first match, the bot-lane duo tested positive for COVID-19 and had to delay their travel to Mexico City. Both players have now tested negative and will be able to compete. However, Fnatic has to play their two first matches without their support Hylissang, as he tested negative too late to make it for the first day of play-ins.
How do you think it will go with the European teams this year? Do you think we will see another year with LPL and LCK domination, or will another region take the victory home this year?
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