The League of Legends offseason is still ongoing for many squads, but vacation time is over for others. As the Intel Extreme Masters in Gyeonggi, South Korea looms, eight teams take on one another for a chance to qualify to IEM Katowice, a distant matter in esports terms. However, the stakes lie outside of the ticket to Katowice. Riots latest balance patches as well as roster changes constitute challenges that need overcoming, and IEM is a step towards both.Group AVega Squadron Samsung Galaxy Immortals J teamGroup BDark Passage Kongdoo Monster Team Liquid Giants GamingSamsung and Kongdoo lead the packContestants have a tough ordeal ahead of them as they face World Championship finalists Samsung Galaxy and Kongdoo Monster, the squad that took a second-place finish at the 2016 KeSPA Cup Finals.The two teams have retained the core of their lineups that have allowed them to reach their objectives in 2016; Samsungs starting lineup took SK Telecom T1 to the brink in the World Championship finals (losing 3-2), and Kongdoo dispatched ESC Ever 3-1 to qualify for the LoL Champions Korea Spring 2017.The two teams have bullseyes drawn over them as they are favorites to qualify from their groups, if only due to team chemistry and skill levels. However, recent balance patches may throw a wrench in Samsung Galaxys takeover plans, should their playstyle no longer fit the mold of the ever-changing metagame.Changes aboundIEM Gyeonggi hosts a number of teams that have undergone changes to varying degrees. Taiwans representative, J Team, is the least affected team, with Chen Achie Chen-Chi switching roles and taking over Chen REFRA1N Kuan-Tings spot, adding an element of mystery to the squad.On the other hand, Team Liquid, Dark Passage and Giants are rebuilding around their core members -- either out of necessity or willingly -- whereas Immortals have pressed the rebuild button and are fielding a new roster around Eugene Pobelter Park.Among them, Team Liquids roster seems most promising on paper, with 2017 NA LCS Summer MVP Kim Reignover Yeu-jin leading the charge and helping Samson Lourlo Jackson, Greyson Goldenglue Gilmer and Chae Piglet Gwang-jin leverage advantages throughout the game. The squad may show early signs of strength, provided Goldenglue holds his own, which may be challenging against players of Lee Crown Min-hos caliber.Dismissing Immortals as nonfactors would be a great slight, as they house the up-and-coming Cody Sun as well as proven veteran Lee Flame Ho-jong, former Hong Kong Esports support Kim Olleh Joo-sung, and emerging star Joshua Dardoch Hartnett. Such a squad may not be as gun-shy as its previous iteration outside of the top lane.As for Giants, some of their players have an opportunity to make a name for themselves. The opportunity for Olof Flaxxish Medin to test his mettle against Flame, Samsung Galaxys CuVee, and others may represent a milestone in his career, but he may rely more on NighT and Hustlins mayhem-creating prowess across the map. If Mightybear is on par with Nubar Maxlore Sarafian, and if Elias Upset Lipp proves devastating outside of the European Challenger circuit, observers might be in for a treat.Did someone say Wild Card?The 2016 World Championship may have taught squads at large that the Wild Card teams like Albus NoX are not to be trifled with. Now for something potentially scary: since Russian squad Vega Squadron acquired Edward Edward Abgaryan, it has been an equal match to ANX. In addition, the roster has barely changed since then, with Alexei LeX Kitsak joining the fray.Vega may be the blue shell to squads not named Kongdoo Monster or Samsung Galaxy, and even then, squads may need to worry should they concede early advantages. In fact, the Russian team faces Samsung on its first day.The same cannot be said about Dark Passage on paper, as they have lost their ace, Rasmus Caps Winther, during free agency, and are fielding temporary substitutes in the jungle, top lane and AD carry spots. Their presence does remain noteworthy considering their road to IEM Gyeonggi, as they went undefeated throughout their matchups against Rampage and the Saigon Jokers. Nike Air Force 1 Just Do It Orange Pas Cher . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Air Force 1 Low Femme Pas Cher .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. http://www.siteairforce1pascher.fr/ . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Air Force 1 Shell Pas Cher . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Air Force One Just Do It Pas Cher . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. HOUSTON -- Cuban shortstop Anibal Sierra will receive a $1.5 million signing bonus as part of his minor league contract with the Houston Astros.The 22-year-old played for Avispas de Santiago from 2012-14 in Cuba. He appeared in 91 games, playing 47 games at second base and 26 games at shortstop.Anibal is an athletic shortstop who can hit and play multiple positions, and possesses the intelligence, work ethic, and baseball instincts to succeed at the highest levels, Astros international director Oz Ocampo said.Sierras deal, whhich was announced Saturday, calls for him to receive the bonus within five days of the deals approval by the commissioners office.dddddddddddd.Anibal stood out to me after my first look in November 2015 in the Dominican Republic, Astros senior scouting adviser Charlie Gonzalez said.Earlier this month, the Astros agreed to a a $47.5 million, five-year contract with Cuban infielder Yuliesky Gurriel. ' ' '
