After the exciting opening ceremony performances, the five players from both teams stepped onto the stage one by one. The audience immediately burst into thunderous applause.

The championship trophy for the first ioi Global Finals, prepared by Riot, was placed in the center of the stage, with several close-up shots capturing its grandeur.

This championship trophy emphasized one thing: massive and extravagant.

For this Global Finals, Riot had spared no expense. Whether it was the venue or the trophy, everything needed to surpass GOG’s Global Invitational.

Previously, GOG’s Global Invitational trophy weighed 28 kilograms, stood 35 centimeters tall, was made of zinc alloy plated with gold, featuring dragons and phoenixes carved ornately upon it.

Since Riot’s Global Finals was specifically meant to compete with GOG’s Global Invitational, they had to go all out. Having already surpassed GOG in venues and other aspects, it would be laughable if the trophy was smaller.

It absolutely had to be bigger than GOG’s trophy!

Therefore, Riot created a trophy even larger than GOG’s – 40 centimeters tall, with an overall size increased by a whole circle.

However, considering that using the same materials would make the trophy too heavy for these slender netizens to lift, they made some material adjustments, bringing the final weight to 25 kilograms.

While still heavy, it at least ensured the players could lift it while appearing larger than GOG’s championship trophy.

Finally, after a rather lengthy opening ceremony, both teams took their seats to test their computers. The much-anticipated final match of the ioi Global Finals was about to begin.

Because this was the ultimate final, the commentary desk was fully stacked with five commentators and three former professional players participating in match analysis and discussion.

Three of them would provide live commentary during the matches, while the remaining two commentators and three professional players would handle pre-match and post-match analysis.

Pre-match analysis mainly served to warm up the atmosphere, analyzing both teams’ current condition, preparation, signature tactics, and predicting the upcoming match content. Post-match analysis focused on reviewing the previous game, highlighting turning points and key players.

These three professional players were all star members from established European and American clubs – skilled, with deep game understanding and clear communication, carefully selected from the six teams eliminated in the quarterfinals.

In short, the finals’ production value was maxed out, giving every viewer a feeling of “scoring tickets was such a win!”

While players continued setting up equipment and making pre-match preparations, the two commentators and three professional players on the analysis desk began warming up the crowd and analyzing today’s final.

“OK, let’s look at the pre-match predictions for this final. Surprisingly, among all eight commentators, except for David, everyone else predicts FRY will win the final victory.”

“To be honest, such a one-sided prediction result makes me somewhat uneasy. Let’s discuss why these predictions were made.”

“Let’s have the three professional players explain their reasoning first. Is it because FRY eliminated you?”

The three professional players looked relaxed, laughing before the rightmost one spoke first.

“FRY is our old rival. Although they eliminated us in the semifinals, which was frustrating, I have to admit their strength exceeds ours. They’re the tournament favorites.”

“On the other side, while we haven’t faced FV directly, based on their style, FV seems to be a team heavily focused on strategies and teamwork. Their performance in favorable games is flawless, but I believe their too-smooth tournament run means they haven’t faced many setbacks or gained experience in disadvantageous situations.”

“FRY, however, is more well-rounded. We know they can quickly close out games after gaining an early advantage, and even when falling behind early, they can use their excellent individual skills to drag games to mid-late game for comebacks. So I predict both teams will go the full five games, with FRY winning ultimately.”

Another professional player continued: “Exactly, in terms of team style, FRY is indeed more comprehensive.”

“During the knockout stages, all teams were constantly exploring the meta. We noticed that from group stage to quarterfinals to semifinals, popular picks kept changing. Previously must-ban champions no longer appeared, showing that deeper into knockouts, both teams’ draft choices converge, gradually finding the optimal solution.”

“After both teams reach peak tactical preparation, what matters is adaptability, disadvantaged situation handling, and player performance. After all North American teams were eliminated, FRY as Europe’s lone survivor essentially enjoys home field advantage. Considering their comeuppance abilities and resilience, I believe victory will be theirs.”

“Moreover, FRY has many star players. In big matches like this, I believe star players’ value will shine through.”

“So I predict FRY wins, score 3:1.”

The last professional player said: “I also think FRY will win this match, but my score prediction differs from theirs.”

“I believe FRY will sweep FV 3:0, because our team recently played several scrims with FRY. I can’t reveal details, but I must say FRY has improved tremendously, tremendously since semifinals.”

“Their understanding of the meta advanced further, they even completely changed their playstyle, catching us all off guard. Honestly, they demolished us badly, and FV likely has no preparation for these new tactics. So I believe if FRY performs at their usual level, they’ll undoubtedly steamroll to a 3:0 victory.”

Everyone else on the official analysis desk showed surprise, as they weren’t aware of this information.

Since this professional player’s team lost to FRY in semifinals, if even he felt FRY had made dramatic improvement since then, his words carried high credibility.

Many commentators smiled, clearly energized by the three professionals’ statements.

Although as hosts they should remain fair and unbiased toward both sides, they subconsciously supported the European-American team.

Krytian and Eric Xu below were not so optimistic.

Clearly, these commentators and professionals based their predictions on FRY’s performance.

After Krytian sent two data analysts to FRY, it indeed worked. These analysts worked with coaching staff to develop new tactical schemes, significantly boosting FRY’s strength.

When FRY invited their semifinal opponents for scrims again, they naturally dominated them.

So from these professionals’ perspective, FRY already had championship potential, and with improved strength, this championship was guaranteed.

But Krytian and Eric Xu, knowing FV’s inside information, understood the situation wasn’t nearly so optimistic.

If FRY’s strength improved through official data analysts, didn’t FV have data analysts too?

Yes, and with far better configuration than FRY’s!

So after a week of training and preparation, what level was FV at now?

These coaches and professionals’ blind confidence came from knowing nothing about FV’s true situation, assuming FV remained at semifinal level without much improvement.

Even they were this arrogant – what about FRY themselves?

Eric Xu vaguely sensed trouble brewing.

After everyone else on the official analysis desk spoke, it was finally David’s turn, the one who predicted FV’s victory.

David shrugged: “Well, undeniably you all make good points, but FV was never considered favorites from the start, right?”

“Every team before facing them was highly regarded, recognized as strong, but became weak after playing against FV.”

“FV always brings strategies we haven’t seen, and they function more as a unit. The team lacks particularly flashy superstars, but careful observation reveals each member is strong. They always appear where needed, doing what’s required.”

“So I believe FV will still defeat FRY 3:0, beginning their dynasty.”

A commentator laughed: “That’s a surprising prediction, David. You don’t even think FRY can take a single game from FV? FRY also made the finals through strong performances – they’re no pushover.”

David nodded seriously: “Yes, that’s exactly what I think. Let’s wait and see!”

After commentators’ warm-up analysis, both teams finished equipment setup. The big screen switched to the in-game view.

Three official commentators began formal match commentary.

“Eh, neither team is banning or picking the Cursed Spirit that dominated in semifinals!”

“Chaos Fortune, very popular in groups, also unbanned. Seems both teams found counters to this champion.”

“FRY banned FV’s three core champions from semifinals, while FV banned their star players’ signature picks in return.”

“Neither team is following previous understanding of meta picks.”

“Alright, blue side FRY picks first, let’s see their opening choice…”