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The League of Legends European region has been in a mournful mood following the performances of its representatives at the 2016 World Championship group stage. Odds are, there will be more grieving by the end of this week when the tournament resumes on Thursday.The grief is particularly sharp because of the triumphs from only a year ago. The European region had two Worlds semifinalists in 2015, and some of its most vocal fans openly mocked North Americas 0W-10L showing in Week 2 of that years group stage. Fast forward to Oct. 3, and Europes record is 1W-8L with things looking grimmer by the day.While there once was EUphoria, EUlogy came in nearly unprompted. As the news of Europes demise spread, some fans lashed out at their representatives while others attempted to embrace Wildcard team Albus NoX Luna from Russia as theirs to alleviate the pain.In truth, these fans are undergoing a trial by grief, exhibiting its five classic stages.Denial, anger and depression: G2 EsportsFans are particularly outraged by G2 Esports because the teams failings hurt their pride. G2 took first place in the EU League Championship Series regular season and the playoffs, entering Worlds as EUs top seed. The tables have now turned in a big way. As a redditor framed it, the strongest EU team heavily outclassed a Wildcard team -- only the wildcard team wasnt Albus NoX Luna.Has G2 Esports truly sunk lower than anyone could have expected? Not quite, but I am left wondering how a squad that lost a game to South Koreas ROX Tigers due to a poor Baron Nashor call proceeded to play and draft carelessly against Albus NoX Luna, then follow it up with poor map vision.Despite having a chat with G2s Alfonso mithy Aguirre Rodriguez before the World Championship where he was not fully confident about his teams chances, I hadnt expected G2 to be in a 0W-3L position in such a group. There is a slim chance that G2 could pull off a reverse-Cloud9 circa 2015 and proceed to the bracket stage following a three-game (or four-game) winning streak, but one has to wonder if such a phenomenon is even possible considering the nature of its Week 1 losses.This Worlds is going to be an experience for [G2s] rookies to get all their ego issues, small mistakes, things that they dont think of, [and] stage experience, stated mithy, almost prophetically, a few days before the European LCS summer split finals. This Worlds is going to give them a lot of experience. Its going make G2 grow into a strong team next year, but Ill be surprised if we get a good run in this World Championship.As such, European fans ought to hope that Luka PerkZ Perkovics jitters in the first week are a result of inexperience and lack of in-game polish, rather than the beginning of a mental block.Measured hope and bargaining: H2kThere is still hope for H2k, and I would go as far as to say that its?Week 1 showing was par for the course. In some ways, it has gone slightly better than initially predicted, and also slightly worse.H2k is one game away from the leading squads in its group -- ahq eSports Club and EDward Gaming -- and the team may thank INTZ eSports for closing the gap between it and EDG. However, H2k has also showcased lackluster play at times, and a lack of awareness during others. Some might single out Oskar VandeR Bogdan for his initial mistake against EDG, but Konstantinos FORG1VEN Tzortziou, Andrei Odoamne Pascu and Marcin Jankos Jankowski also had their moments.But H2k also showed that it was a contender for second place in the group, provided the players kept their nerves under control. Heres to hoping that they can save themselves (and Europe) from an embarrassing Worlds campaign (and from a full-blown EUlogy movement).Acceptance: SplyceDespite Splyces qualification for the 2016 World Championship, it was not the favorite to advance from groups unless it had a favorable draw. When it fell into Group D alongside high caliber teams like Team SoloMid, Samsung Galaxy and Royal Never Give Up, its fate was sealed on paper.The main reason for these low expectations is Splyces dearth of experience at the top of the League of Legends ecosystem; it had taken eighth place in the spring split regular season before its meteoric rise in the summer. Like many rookie squads in 2013, Splyce is undergoing a challenging rite of initiation at Worlds, notable other examples of which include the Flash Wolves (then named Gamania Bears), Lemondogs and Cloud9 in their first outings. The squads dominated their region for the most part but lacked exposure to international play, and only two of them have established themselves as fixtures year after year.To Splyces credit, it has performed as best as they could considering its opposition in the region. The organizations agenda going into 2017 is clear: stick together, dominate Europe and propel it upward much as the Flash Wolves did in 2014, and not like the Lemondogs who disbanded following their Worlds appearance. Texas Rangers Store .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Rangers Jerseys China . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/ . 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. Texas Rangers Gear . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. Texas Rangers Shirts . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- CHICAGO -- There is much joy in Wrigleyville -- the mighty Cubs have struck it rich. Tens of thousands of fans honor the World Series champs at a parade featuring stops at Wrigley Field, Michigan Avenue and Grant Park.- PARIS -- Dozens of Olympic medals drug cheats won in Beijing and in London are finding their way to rightful owners thanks to advances in the science of drug testing.- ARCADIA, Calif. -- Undefeated Songbird and fellow champions Beholder and Stellar Wind highlight the field for the $2 million Distaff, one of four races on opening day of the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita. Distaff post 7:35 p.m.- Separate stories on two key college football games Saturday: No. 1 Alabama at No. 15 LSU and No. 9 Nebraska at No. 6 Ohio State.- In Friday nights only Top 25 game, No. 24 Boise State is at home and looking to rebound from a loss when the Broncos play San Jose State. Game starts 10:15 p.m.- CHICAGO -- Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah play in Chicago for the first time since the ex-Bulls joined the Knicks in the offseason. New York is off to a 1/3 start; Chicago is 3-1. Game starts 8 p.m.- FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jimmie Johnson is already set for his shot at a record-tying seventh Sprint Cup title this month at Homestead. For now, there is a drive for five at Texas, where he has won the last four fall races.- FRISCO, Texas -- Jason Wittens leadership became clear when he was the catalyst for a moving tribute to Dallas ppolice.ddddddddddddHis voice is stronger than ever in what is turning into a special season for the Cowboys tight end.- RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks offense is broken, with just one touchdown in the past nine quarters. Fixing the problem begins with fixing the run game.- CHICAGO -- Marian Hossa has found his legs again. The physical, 37-year-old winger is off to a solid start for the Chicago Blackhawks, showing the form that made him one of the leagues best two-way players.- Eric Paschall at defending champion Villanova and Floridas Canyon Barry, the son of Hall of Famer Rick Barry, are among the notable transfer players in college basketball this season.- PARIS -- John Isner beats Jack Sock in a match between Americans to reach the Paris Masters semifinals. In other quarterfinals, its Novak Djokovic vs. Marin Cilic and Andy Murray vs. Tomas Berdych.- LONDON -- Manchester United expected Jose Mourinho to provide a quick fix for this once powerhouse team. But those prospects are looking out of reach with five losses in the managers opening 16 games.- BEIJING -- China coaxed Marcello Lippi out of retirement last month in hopes of transforming the dismal national team into a World Cup contender. But the size of his contract has left fans cynical and angry.- LAS VEGAS -- Rod Pampling, one shot shy of 59 in the first round, leads by two strokes entering the second round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. ' ' '