In a series won at the map veto stage, EG cakewalked over DRX to make the upper finals of Champions 2023. The kings of trash talk at this event continued to prove that they have bite to go along with the bark. A 13-9 on Fracture was followed by a 13-4 on Lotus in a series that never felt close.

Just like in Tokyo, DRX let Fracture through the map veto. And just like in Tokyo, that decision cost them. The best Fracture team in the world continued to dominate on their home turf as EG comfortably took a 13-9 first map.

Whatever DRX were hoping to bring to the table was sidelined by the ascension of a demon. A 19-2 first half scoreline saw Demon1 rise to the top of the scoreboard and never look back. He and C0M combined for a +31 kill differential to go along with hero plays that shut down any attempt by DRX to shift the momentum.

“Those mistakes kept happening, and our players kind of got tilted,” DRX's coach termi bemoaned after the game.

The things pros do while winning.

The second map didn't get any easier for the Koreans. In a surprising decision, they picked Lotus, a map they had perma-banned all the way up until this tournament. Their newfound love for the map left them on shaky ground against all three of their previous opponents despite a 2-1 record, but their luck with close games ran out against EG.

“Fracture, Lotus one and two, that was as easy as it could go for us,” Potter said after the match.

A dominant 10-2 first half saw EG frolicking the rest of the way.

The things pros do while winning - part two.

“As long as we are all having fun, everything [is a] breeze,” Jawgemo laughed after the game.

“That is so stupid,” Boostio added while watching the clip.

Despite only playing controllers, Demon1 led the way with 43 kills in just 39 rounds.

“I'm just playing the game,” he said. As to why he has transitioned away from the duelist role, he had a succinct response. “I don't like Op-ing.”

Since taking down DRX and PRX at Tokyo, EG have maintained a flawless 5-0 record against APAC teams. They have a chance to extend that run when they face PRX in the upper finals, although this time PRX will have the strength of their full roster behind them.

On the other side, DRX dropped to the lower bracket to face a nightmare opponent in FNATIC. Despite the threat of the two-time defending title holders, DRX won't be overawed by the matchup.

“We knocked FNATIC out last year,” termi said.

That resolve will be tested tomorrow in the final set of games before Champions goes on a four day break to set up the final four showdowns.

Banner image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games