100T Goldenglue: “C9 does tend to choke a bit more on stage. I think they do tend to play a bit worse.”

Q: Did you expect to win? On stream, Dhokla said he did.

Goldenglue: I mean, I do think we definitely felt like we were the stronger team. I think one of those things where it’s just [about] current form — I feel like our current form is just better than them. We kind of just showed up to team fights, won team fights, and won the series.

Q: Have you noticed a change in River and Quid as they return to form?

Goldenglue: Yeah, I think especially Game 1, River really performed and carried a lot of fights — I think [him and Quid] just played really confident today.

I don’t know if there’s anything that specifically changed, but I do think today specifically, it was kind of like, “100T are looking good, it’s River and Quid getting a lot of credit,” and I think they really showed up today and performed.

Q: Do you think whatever TL’s dealing with is similar to 100T’s slump?

Goldenglue: Yeah it’s hard to say exactly what’s going wrong within their team. […] Obviously, the result does look kind of the same [as us], when it felt like we probably lost ourselves for a bit.

It feels like right now, Team Liquid kind of lost themselves. I think one of the biggest differences to me is [that] they make a lot more mistakes from ahead right now than they used to. I feel like it used to be if they would get in a lead, they would be able to [cleanly] choke you out of a game.

But now it feels like when we play against them, even Game 2, [they can throw]:Yeon has always been a really good win condition, but we found him, we picked him; Trundle pillared him and we were able to kill him. So I just feel like they’re not as disciplined from a lead, and I think it is a little sad to see.

Q: What’s your feeling going into C9?

Goldenglue: I think, you know, I do think LYON and TL [were a bit easier]. I think C9 is going to be the true test, I think, for us.

LYON was definitely difficult, TL was obviously difficult — like historically, we struggled against them. But I think C9 is finally at the point where we’re just not going to show up to all the teamfights and just like out-hands them every time. I think if we play and draft [like] we did in Game 1, Game 2, I think we’ll be able to beat them. I think if we’re as sloppy as we were in Game 3, C9 is disciplined if they get a lead, they’re going to play very consistently from ahead.

At least that’s what it feels like when we scrim against them — but definitely very beatable. I do also think C9 [tends] to choke a bit more on stage. I think they do tend to play a bit worse. Even their series. I mean, the past two series have gone to five games for Shopify and DSG. […]

I think there’s a lot more variance in their gameplay, and sometimes their drafts too. Like I think sometimes they have really good drafts, and sometimes [they’re really bad] — and I think same thing with their gameplay. Sometimes they have really good gameplay, sometimes they just whiff. 

Q: So you feel they’re beatable because of that inconsistency? Or do you see it as winnable regardless.

Goldenglue: Yeah, I mean, I do think inconsistency is a part of it. I do think they’re very beatable. I just think they’re the team that we’ve had the [least] leeway to be funny and make like silly mistakes against. Today, [against TL], and LYON, we’ve been able to make those mistakes.

I think versus C9, it’s a bit harder to [do that]. But I definitely think they’re for sure beatable. Like, and I still feel good about our chances against them, but it definitely should be our toughest opponents so far.

Q: Is that the teamfighting meta? Everyone seems way less consistent — like if someone gets picked, the next fight is just lost and it’s over.

Goldenglue: Yeah, I mean, I do think the meta is really core to just playing 5v5 around all the objectives. I do think like one person being like a weak link, one person getting caught up before a fight, or one person like not playing the team fight well, can just lose your team the game.

I don’t know what that necessarily has to do with certain teams flailing towards like the end of the season. But you know, I still think that … well, I mean, I don’t know. Yeah, I don’t really know why. It does seem [like a lot of teams are flailing], and even FLY — like I really do feel like all the teams are very beatable right now. I guess, maybe, it’s just the factor of, “Who’s gonna show up in teamfight better that day because [it’s] the main thing about League of Legends in 2025.”

Q: Would you consider C9 a top two team on paper right now then or are you putting yourself up there with fly quest presumably? Because so far then you’ve been punching down.

Goldenglue: Well, I think it’s a pretty close battle between us, SR, C9. To me it’s a pretty even playing field. And then I think FLY is just slightly above, but not much further above that. I don’t really feel like it’s much [of a gap].

I would even almost put LYON and DSG in that same category. I thought a lot of the teams were pretty closely matched; it just comes down to who’s gonna show up on the day.

Q: Just TL left out. Just TL and Dignitas.

Goldenglue: TL has just lost a lot of form in the last, like, month. Well, at least — I’m just talking from our scrim results, but [that’s] what it kind of looks like when we’re playing against them. […]

Even today, I mean they definitely had a bit of a fall from form so I’m not really exactly sure what happened there but it could just be unlucky timing with the meta. I do have a lot of respect for Spawn and the way he’s been running the team for the last few years. I don’t know. Sometimes you just slump […], at the worst time. 

Q: Do you hold a grudge against Palafox for saying you were the worst team in the league?

Goldenglue: No! *laughs* I think we were a lot worse a month ago. […] That’s what I mean — I do think slumps just happen, and that’s why we obviously felt the need to do something about it, like make a very bold, and honestly […] a kind of scary change. But I think it’s one of those things where, when you’re in those positions, you kind of have to take risks. Thankfully for us, ours is paying off right now.

Q: Do you have a prediction for tomorrow? FLY-SR?

Goldenglue: Yeah, I mean, I would say FLY 3-1 or 3-2. I think SR can definitely take some games off of them. It should be fun to watch — I think watching both of those seems as a super fun.

Q: Everyone thought today would be a banger and yesterday would be boring.

Goldenglue: No, I thought yesterday was going be exciting. I felt like I knew yesterday was going be exciting. I kind of thought today was going to be a 3-0 or 3-1. […]

I think most of us — or [me at least] — have a lot of respect for the new DSG players. I think Rahel and DARKWINGS are very undervalued, they’re very good players. I actually think eXyu, if you’re considering his tenure in LCS, I think he’s improved a lot over his tenure. […] I mean Castle’s obviously really good too — like I think they’re just actually like they were way more solid of a team than people thought.

Q: So not as embarrassing for C9 to nearly lose? 

Goldenglue: I think it would’ve been still embarrassing to see C9 lose, but that’s just like everyone [thought they] were the second-best team and DSG was like…

Q: It’s interesting how highly you rate DSG, no one else was doing that.

Goldenglue: Yeah, I mean, I would say [DSG] would have a disadvantaged shot against us, but I definitely thought there was a chance they upset for sure. […] I’d probably put it at like 30%, but I definitely thought it was possible. […] I’m really honestly surprised they lost that Game 5. I thought they had that one in the bag.