this event is a glorified scrim session, a bootcamp for these teams so they can practice against teams from around the world for the events that matter.
notice how fnatic visibly were far more upset with their loss in toronto? kaajak and boaster were in tears after toronto, but after ewc theyre posting ace clips on twitter and dont have a care. doesnt matter what prize pool there is because the minor prize pool advantage gets divided by over 5x. the real circuit is VCT
another major note is that g2 leaf couldnt play. if he was there i have 0 doubt in my mind that he wouldve destroyed heretics again like he did twice in shanghai. can you even consider them the winners of ewc when they didnt have to play the best team itw? im considering this event as a G2 win, not that it matters since its equivalent to a mrfunhavers or tixinha invit.
not to mention all the blatant sportswashing... sure the players and orgs have no choice to care because they are contractually or financially obligated, but you and i have no need to care abt this event, and i really feel like we shouldnt
if we want to consider TH level to a masters winner then we might as well throw furia in there for winning tixinha invitational 2024; because really whats the difference? if tixinha had more money to blow then this event wouldve been just as 'prestigious' if not more