Team SoloMid vs FlyQuest

For our second Best of 5 of the day (this time across the pond), we have yet another fantastic barnburner: Team SoloMid versus FlyQuest. On paper, this isn't exactly the most premier match-up in the world, but it should be insanely competitive and action-packed regardless. Both teams have had a topsy-turvy regular season so far, which means no one's quite sure what to expect.

They've had exceptional games, moments of absolute brilliance and domination, but also more than just a couple of egregious blunders and mind-boggling throws. The key difference, however, is that Team SoloMid has a higher skill ceiling and far more long-term potential (as is so often the case with the boys in black and white).

They're entering this game after going the distance with 100 Thieves mere days ago. What can one say about that action packed fiesta? It was a complicated affair, brimming with exceptional play and more than just a couple of baffling decisions and in-game calls. It was, at once, the best and worst that both teams had to offer. We were entertained, that's for sure, although by the end of it all it was hard actually proclaiming anyone as the clear-cut winner. 100 Thieves obviously lost, but Team SoloMid struggled mightily and were forced to show more of their pocket strats than they'd like. If anything, we saw that they could successfully play a fairly diverse set of strategies, but they've also shown a ton of weaknesses.

The only question now is: will FlyQuest be able to capitalize should they get the chance? There's very little reason to give them the benefit of the doubt, seeing how they lack the depth and experience which is necessary to actually compete with a team as strong and vigorous as Team SoloMid. Still, speaking of those flaws, TSM often goes for the wrong play at the wrong time, their players don't always bring their A game, and there's always something missing whenever they step foot on stage to compete. Last week, it was as if they were fighting 4 v 6 as Dardoch was running it down game after game. The talented, mechanical deity struggled to find his footing from start to finish.

Fortunately, as is so often the case with TSM, one player stood out as much as humanly possible: their staple savior from the mid lane, Bjergsen. The Danish legend had a vintage showing, catching unsuspecting 100T members out of position, snowballing his lead and distributing it over the rest of his team, and pulling off insane, game-bending clutch plays that eventually gave TSM the ability to close things out. His Zoe play in game five was an absolute masterclass and was, in fact, the only reason why TSM was able to get the win. Not only did he successfully land that crucial last hit on the Nexus, but the moment when he caught Cody Sun out of position allowed his team to turn the tides and prolong that oh-so-important fifth game.

He's a clutch player through and through, but you can't expect him to perform at the same level match after match. He is, after all, only human, and therefore pleads mortal error. If the rest of the team doesn't play up to expectations, then his individual talent and ingenuity simply can't cut it. Fortunately, he has insanely talented teammates, but they need to step up as well if they want to stand even the slightest chance of reaching the finals and putting up a fight against Cloud9.

Tonight, they're up against an elusive, and perhaps deceptively dangerous challenger: FlyQuest. No one's quite sure whether they're good, bad, or something in between. They have spectacular games, matches during which PowerOfEvil and IgNar play out of their minds, moments when we see the WildTurtle of old, the ADC who's flashing forward and doing all that is within his power to sway the game in his team's favor. They're a fascinating bunch, and they never go down without a fight. Then again, they always find a way to mess things up, regardless of the opponent.

They are, however, noticeably better with Solo than with Viper, and his play on Aatrox and Gangplank alone should give them a better chance of trading heavy blows with Team SoloMid. Will it be enough, however? PowerOfEvil is playing some of his best League of Legends yet, but he's going to face one of the best mid laners in North America's history. Sure, he can dominate beyond measure when facing Goldenglue, but this is a completely different level of opposition. At their best, they can definitely go blow for blow with Team SoloMid, although it's impossible to predict anything with confidence seeing how both teams have bafflingly mediocre moments and are plagued with severe inconsistency.

Still, we have to side with Team SoloMid on this one. There's no reason not to, after all. We're banking on their experience. On the many years of tempering and the most intense twists and turns that accompany the career of a player who competes at the highest of levels. We're banking on TSM doing what they know best -- thriving under pressure once their backs are against the wall. Is it smart to do this, however? It depends on your allegiance, and how much faith you have in their five-man line-up. Whether or not they end up challenging Cloud9 in the finals is anyone's guess, but they definitely have all the right tools to take down FlyQuest and advance further into the lower playoff bracket.

That said, FlyQuest never go down without a fight. They have multiple threats within their starting line-up and if they come out the gates swinging, they definitely have a puncher's chance. Team SoloMid is far from a top-tier behemoth, and they've certainly dropped multiple games throughout the regular season. This series will be determined by the slimmest of margins. In any case, we should be in for one heck of a ride, a Best of 5 series that could, by all means, go the five-game distance.