IEM Challenger winners INTZ and Chiefs are in a position where they have everything to prove, but nothing to lose. As it were, the Wildcard teams from Brazil and Oceania respectively are at the bottom of the proverbial barrel that regional segregation has wrought. Despite CIS’ Albus Nox Luna’s unlikely achievement in reaching the top 8 of Worlds, INTZ’s fate at Worlds was far less complimentary; after a stunning victory over Edward Gaming, they failed to keep up their momentum and crashed out with a 1-5 record from a group also including H2K and ahq e-sports club.

Meanwhile, IEM Oakland will be one of Chiefs' first international events against teams from premier regions. Can one or both of the Wildcards capitalze on the less-than-optimal team attendance at Oakland and make history, or will Oakland be the latest in a series of disappointments for both teams?

INTZ's Worlds prep may not go to waste

Worlds was a chance to elevate Brazil’s status in an era where it has arguably dominated Wildcard proceedings for the better part of three years, but they faltered when push came to shove. With a bevy of preparations including a bootcamp in EU, as well as hiring a psychologist, sports trainer and additional analysts, INTZ cannot be anything but disappointed at their showing in LA. They have the potential to succeed, as we saw against EDG, but it was clear that that was due mainly to INTZ's superior top-jungler synergy that game.

H2K in particular had much better top-jungler duos communication-wise, and as a result INTZ lacked that exploit in their other games.  Besides star jungler Revolta and top laner Yang, INTZ have no stand-out players. Their mid and bot lanes must put in better performances than they did at Worlds if they should wish to topple UoL, let alone TSM, the adversary the winner of that match will face. 

(Credits to lolesports flickr)

INTZ are one of the most cerebral Wildcard teams; others feature mechanically talented players but lack considerably in coordination and macro knowledge. It is therefore through a cerebral lens that UoL will represent an interesting challenge; the fourth-best team in EULCS Summer 2016 are coming into 2017 with their roster intact after a turbulent Spring and middling Summer, but their lack of practice is likely to show given the long break some of their players have taken. INTZ on the other hand not only have Worlds experience, but also participated in IEM Challenger. This may be the best shot INTZ, and Wildcards in general, have ever had of progressing in international competition.

Lack of international experience a bane for Chiefs, but they have the advantage of being unknown

On the other hand, the Chiefs who hail from Down Under have been given a tough draw against Longzhu Gaming. Despite Longzhu’s poor results in 2016, their roster is still overflowing with individual flourish; albeit that strength is also arguably a weakness as they have shown little sign of meshing together as a team since inception.  Add to this the overall level of Korean League being light years ahead of other regions in general and Chiefs have what is essential a mammoth task ahead of their debut on the international stage.

(Credits to Chiefs Facebook Page)

Unlike INTZ who have made it on the big stage numerous times, Chiefs are far less used to the sort of pressures unique to a large crowd. Despite their domestic achievements, Chiefs have arguably never stood on a stage like Oakland. This will be their first weaning internationally after years of underachievement on the Wildcard circuit and the glare might prove too unwieldly even for these veterans.

Indeed, it has been years since the players on Chiefs first got together as a team, and at this point they must somehow be fused at the hips. One must wonder about their unwavering commitment after trying and failing for so long; despite this, they must accept the fact that they have to make up for their individual deficiencies by being a better unit. However, their improvement cannot be understated. Chiefs went head-to-head with INTZ and could've easily snatched a win, while thir dismantling of Lyon Gaming was a result of them being on top of their game. Underestimating Chiefs would be the worst possible decision for the floundering Longzhu Gaming. 

Opportunities abound for upsets

Oakland is not the most glamourous of settings, given the lack of truly top teams in attendance besides TSM – who are fielding WildTurtle instead of Doublelift who went on a hiatus -- and Flash Wolves, who have elected to conduct their new player trials on the Oakland stage. This could prove to be an advantage. There is no better time for an upset; if there will be upsets, they will undoubtedly be in one of the quarter-finals. While these upsets may not be on the level of SKT falling to Ever, a certain respect will have been earned, and the reputation of Wildcards will have been elevated an extra level – something they desperately need in a top-heavy ecosystem like League’s.