“It feels s**t to lose like this”

I had the possibility to speak to G2 jungler Yike after the heartbreaking loss that knocked them out of Worlds 2023, speaking concerning the match and what went incorrect on the match.

Photograph Credit score: Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video games

G2 Yike – It’s very complicated as a result of we by no means anticipated it to occur

Coming into Worlds, followers had excessive expectations for G2, contemplating the dominance that they had within the LEC, and varied gamers praising the crew previous to the beginning of the Swiss Stage. Yike himself felt like they had been wanting nice, which additional elevated his disappointment after the elimination.

It’s very arduous to say how I really feel. It’s very complicated as a result of we by no means anticipated it to occur. We thought we may win Worlds and we didn’t even make quarterfinals so it feels very bizarre, particularly after going 2-0 within the first week.

When requested what went incorrect, the Swedish jungler talked about it was resulting from a number of stuff happening:

We didn’t play pretty much as good within the first few days, particularly when taking part in towards DK and WBG. With Gen.G I don’t even know if we performed good or unhealthy or in the event that they performed very well however they beat us. Then we felt like we may have in all probability modified stuff and it will be straightforward for us however then shedding to NRG and getting stomped was once we realized that one thing was very off.

The sequence began off with BLG stomping in Recreation 1, and G2 felt the stress of getting to make it nearer in Recreation 2. “We received stomped in Recreation 1 and shedding 5 video games like that in a row can be essentially the most embarrassing manner ever to get out of Worlds,” stated Yike, “so I’m very completely satisfied we managed to get Recreation 2 regardless that we couldn’t make it. I feel we performed higher right now in comparison with yesterday”.

Within the final sport, Mikyx picked Bard. In such an important second, G2 determined to flip it by selecting an unconventional help decide that’s not often picked on this meta. I requested whether or not they had ready it for the sequence or if was it a last-minute resolution:

I feel Mikyx is among the finest Bard gamers I’ve ever seen in my life and so they additionally blind picked Braum, so once we had been speaking about what to select between Bard and Pyke. I feel the decide was good into enemy comp because it was good into Orianna and Braum so I don’t assume the decide was an issue.

From LEC to Worlds – the rising trajectory for the participant

Though Yike already performed at MSI, this was his first-ever Worlds match. I questioned how a lot of a distinction there was in comparison with the LEC and whether or not he felt extra stress when flying to South Korea:

For certain I may really feel the stress and stress. Within the first few days, I used to be actually scared and nervous however my crew supported me as at all times. We had been for certain not as dominant as we had been in EU, however even in scrims we had been doing good. We beat each single crew, perhaps the one one was T1 which was the toughest to scrim towards. In EU we might stomp each crew however right here Asian groups may beat us mechanically, in decision-making, and macro. I feel we had been good and saved up in a variety of video games however a number of the video games, particularly towards NRG, we simply form of misplaced it.

Regardless of the disappointing outcomes, there are nonetheless a variety of constructive takes for one of many LEC rookie gamers:

Entering into a brand new setting was the primary time for me. Flying to a brand new nation and timezone, new meals, every thing was new. Possibly it was simpler for my teammates to adapt as a result of they had been used to it. I don’t assume I felt unhealthy however we are able to get sick so for certain I may’ve performed higher at adapting to how I must eat and sleep.

I additionally requested him to price his 12 months and that is what he stated:

I feel my crew taught me a lot and made me change into as expert as I’m, I’m very pleased with my growth this 12 months. At season begin I used to be extraordinarily nervous, greater than now, and my crew simply made me really feel very snug: that’s how I performed all through the whole 12 months and that’s what in all probability made superb this 12 months. So I’m pleased with how the 12 months went. It’s a bit unhappy that we didn’t win Spring as a result of we may’ve performed that however the objective was to win Worlds and coming right here and failing this early, it feels very unhealthy.

Now that G2 is out, Yike and the remainder of the squad might be getting some well-earned day without work because the season involves an finish. I questioned if there was something, particularly, Yike was wanting ahead to through the offseason:

It’s going to be good to fly again and meet my household, my girlfriend. I’m going to spend the time with those I like as a result of they supported me all through the whole 12 months as a result of that’s in all probability going to take away the adverse ideas of the 12 months.

Earlier than rounding off the interview, Yike shared a message to his followers:

I’m at all times grateful and grateful for all of the help this complete 12 months. It feels s**t to lose like this and never even make quarters however at the least I really feel like I realized loads and I’m going to ensure that this could by no means occur once more within the subsequent years.

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