Fnatic fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Bot laner Elias “Upset” Lipp, who tested positive for COVID-19 a week before the start of the 2022 League of Legends World Championship, can make it to the event after all. Upset’s latest tests came back negative and he was able to fly to Mexico City in time to play in the Play-In Stage.
Fnatic shared the news in a post on Twitter. “Upset will join the starting roster versus [Evil Geniuses] and [Chiefs Esports Club] tomorrow night after flying to Mexico City today, and we’re excited to finally witness his debut on the Worlds stage,” the announcement reads.
Hylissang is on his way
The same post also provided an update on the COVID situation of Fnatic’s support player, Zdravets “Hylissang” Galabov, “Whilst Hylissang is also testing negative, he has only recently tested so, and as a result is flying out tomorrow morning.” Hylissang will miss the first games on Fnatic’s schedule, but the organization hopes that he will be ready to play against DetonatioN FocusMe on Friday.
This means that Rúben “Rhuckz” Barbosa, who was subbed in with an emergency ruling, will still take to the stage for at least the first games. Fnatic’s adjusted bot lane duo does not have any experience playing together in a competitive environment, so the entire team will have to pull together strongly in their first games.
Fnatic has their work cut out for them in the Worlds 2022 Play-In Stage. Not only are they in the same group as Evil Geniuses, there is also a chance that they’ll have to fight for a Group Stage spot with either Royal Never Give Up, DRX, or MAD Lions.Fnatic plays their first game against Evil Geniuses on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 11 PM CEST. You can watch the game on the official LoL esports channel.
