100 Goldenglue: “Most [people] didn’t even think we’d be here. They thought we’d be bottom of the barrel in LCS.”Interviews

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Image via Riot Games

Q: What went wrong in the series?

Goldenglue: Man, it’s unfortunate. I think Game 1 we had a decent lane swap at the beginning. We didn’t even really think that they would lane swap, and obviously we got put a little bit behind. Essentially, we didn’t get our bases off on Varus or Renekton [at the right times]. Renekton TP’d before he based, Varus didn’t get to spend his gold.

We should’ve froze bot wave and got the base off, he had 1100 for Berserker’s Greaves. […] Varus got ahead and we weren’t able to use his strength. We weren’t even really able to play the game in Game 1, which really sucks.

I think PSG played very well and they controlled the pace of the game. We could’ve fought better, definitely, but it felt really bad […] we were never able to get back control. Game 2 was a bit more of a fight, but I think a lot of times we just didn’t find their flanker. Alistar and Sej were just one-shotting Lillia.

I think you could see the potential — Sniper almost popped off […], he was able to solokill a 2/0 Rumble. We could’ve played way better, [like when] we got caught in river. Sej hit 6 on crab, we weren’t expecting that; if we just push mid, Lillia would’ve hit 6. We could’ve fought.

We should be playing a bit more reactive, but unfortunately that’s not our style. It kind of sucks, because with our type of team, it kind of feels like when we get behind, it’s a lot harder for us to come back because we always want to fight.

Q: What’s your takeaway for the team?

Goldenglue: Most coaches, commentators, people in the scene, players, didn’t even think we’d be here. They thought we’d be bottom of the barrel in LCS. I think our presence even here is a testament to their grit and ability to improve. If you focus on just this last segment, Worlds, where we played three bo3’s and [lost] two of them we’d look pretty bad. […] I think there’s a lot of positives; Sniper was kind of our hope in Game 2 and was doing really well, […] Quid played pretty well.

Q: Was there a consideration to pull out the Riven?

Goldenglue: I think a lot of people know that we can play Riven, and like the only matchup you can play Riven into is K’Sante, and no one’s blinding him against us right now. It’s pretty hard to find the Riven angle [for us].

Q: The team looked uncharacteristically uncoordinated today. What do you think caused that?

Goldenglue: I agree, it’s hard to dissect exactly why it was like that. I do agree that that’s what it looked like. The exact reason I can’t dissect or else I probably would’ve solved it. But there might be an element that we just played yesterday and the […] adrenaline is still running low from having to play two matches in a row. I do think that’s kind of a cope take, but that’s one reason that could be out there.

I think another one is that after Game 1 I did feel like we were pretty rattled […] when you play one of those games where you can’t play the game because you’re always tempo screwed and they always have first move, it can make you dizzy and forget how to play. And I think the players maybe brought a little bit of Game 1 into Game 2 and they weren’t able to get on the same page. Those would probably be my two best guesses, but I do think our energy [was lower] compared to yesterday.

Q: What was your overall Worlds trip like?

Goldenglue: Honestly, it’s been a great experience getting to travel for this Worlds. I think the bootcamp was amazing, I loved being in Utrecht. And then we also did a canal tour as a team in Amsterdam, that was super fun.

Q: Message to the fans?

Goldenglue: I just want to thank all the fans at home. I feel like we’ve received like an immense amount of support for what an underdog, not very highly ranked team. And to see the community rally behind Sniper, rally behind Quid […] and support our changes [on the team]. It’s been just really nice to see the support. I like that we’re trying to like build up our rookies and not trash on them, because I feel like that happens a lot with new players in the league.

I’m just really grateful for everyone’s support. Also, it’s my first year as head coach in the LCS, and I’ve definitely felt a lot of support from the community. I think we all did our best and we made it to Worlds. Didn’t do that well at Worlds, but we were trying our best the whole time to exceed everyone’s expectations, and I hope everyone’s happy. Definitely expect even greater things in the future.