Pobelter makes surprising return to LCS as CLG mid laner
Riot GamesLeague of Legends pro Eugene ‘Pobelter’ Park is set to return to the LCS as the starting mid laner for Counter Logic Gaming.
Pobelter will be taking the place of Lee ‘Crown’ Min-ho, starting with CLG’s matches against Cloud9 and FlyQuest in week five of the LCS.
The change comes as CLG sits in last place after four weeks of the LCS spring split, having won only one of their eight matches so far – two fewer than their closest competitors, with three teams currently tied at a 3-5 record above them.
Pobelter is one of the LCS’ more veteran players, competing in the league since 2014. His most notable achievements came with Team Liquid in 2018, winning both Spring and Summer titles before being replaced by Nicolaj ‘Jensen’ Jensen ahead of the 2019 season.
Riot GamesHe played the 2019 season with FlyQuest, but in the offseason ahead of 2020 was left out of the roster moves. He originally took up a position as a coach for Team Liquid, but was almost required to step into the squad as a Jungler after both Mads ‘Broxah’ Brock-Pedersen and Shern ‘Shernfire’ Cherng Tai, the team’s intended LCS and Academy junglers respectively, suffered visa delays.
With Shernfire arriving just days before the start of the Spring split, however, Pobelter did not end up representing Team Liquid, but he will now return to play in his proper position for Counter Logic Gaming.
ROSTER UPDATE
Starting this weekend, @Pobelter will be stepping into the midlane for CLG. We know we have a lot of work to do but we are not giving up on this split. Please support Pobelter & the team this weekend. #WeAreCLG pic.twitter.com/2ioE2x4p5Q
— CLG (@clgaming) February 19, 2020
With his return to play, Pobelter becomes the only North American-born player competing as a starting mid laner in the league, with all other teams fielding players who are either filling an import slot, or who were originally counted as imports but have earned NA residency, such as Soren ‘Bjergsen’ Bjerg.
Pobelter’s first test in LCS Spring 2020 will be a tough one, as he’s set to make his debut against Cloud9, the only undefeated team in the league. His second match will be against FlyQuest, who are tied for second place with a 5-3 record.