Banner image: Ubisoft / João F. @itsmeERROR
SANDBOX Gaming's roster looks forward to Atlanta following two back-to-back second-place finishes in South Korea. After only three defeats in the South Korean League 2023, the yellow roster is one of the two best teams in the country.
In Copenhagen, the team was sent home by MNM Gaming after losing to the marshmallows in the Loser Bracket grand final. Eventually, the Europeans finished among the best eight teams in the competition.
Following the conclusion of Stage 1, SANDBOX Gaming decided to stick with the same. However, after some time, the team decided to make a change. Kim "EnvyTaylor" Seong-soo, who had been competing as a player, was moved to the bench to introduce Lee "Nova" Si-Hun back into the team.
"We wanted to make sure we had a flexible team, we thought it was more advantageous to play flexibly with Nova who had great communication skills, so we adjusted the roster and trained," admitted Lee "GoodBoy" Ji-Heon in a written interview with SiegeGG.
The Asian roster went unbeaten in the South Korea League group stage after getting three regulation victories against Talon Esports, Before and After, and BlossoM. With a round difference of +15, the yellow squad skyrocketed to the semifinal match, where they beat Beyond Stratos Gaming by 7-3 and 7-5.
Unfortunately, like in Stage 1, SANDBOX Gaming lost to DPlus in the South Korea League grand final, which meant the yellow squad had to start in Atlanta from Phase 1. "We prefer to play flexibly, while Dplus Kia has a more solid playing style," GoodBoy admitted.
Historically, DPlus has been the better side when it comes to their personal record against SANDBOX Gaming. Since the yellow organization picked up the former Mantis FPS roster, the South Koreans have only won five of the last 16 maps played against them.
Despite the team's difference compared to DPlus, SANDBOX Gaming is still ahead of everyone else in the region. According to GoodBoy, their experience makes the difference. "I think through this experience, we are showing a higher level of completeness and diverse plays compared to other Korean teams."
SANDBOX Gaming's consistency in South Korea has allowed the team to qualify for the latest four Six Majors celebrated. Unfortunately, the roster has been suffering internationally.
Since their Six Berlin Major appearance, the South Koreans have only won three of the 16 maps they have played in that time, as they defeated Soniqs twice in Aug. 2022 and FURY in Apr. 2023.
In Atlanta, the team's luck could be about to change. While the Ninjas in Pyjamas are the favorites to take the first seed, the South Koreans' experience could be a differential factor against Geekay Esports and Crest Gaming Lst in a potential qualification for Phase 2.
"We've met with NIP before, but the roster has changed, I'm curious and looking forward to how the game will turn out," GoodBoy explained. "CGL, Geekay is an excellent team, but I think we can win if we analyze well and do as we practice," he elaborated.
Curiously enough, SANDBOX Gaming's future at the Six Invitational 2024 is in its own hands. The South Koreans' first match in Atlanta will be against Crest Gaming Lst, who could break into the Global Standings' Top 20. A victory against the Japanese side would give the South Koreans an extra 20 SI Points, which would almost certify their Six Invitational 2024 presence. At the same time, they would put Crest Gaming Lst between a rock and a hard place.
"I would be very happy to qualify for the 2024 Six Invitational, and I really want to visit Brazil. Therefore, I'm aiming for a strong performance in this Major to make that happen," GoodBoy concluded.
SANDBOX Gaming's debut at the BLAST R6 Major Atlanta will come on Oct. 31 at 12 PM EDT (CEST-6) in a BO1 series against Crest Gaming Lst. While the winner of the match will move to the Upper Bracket grand final, the loser will play a second match on Oct. 31 (BO3) against the other Upper Bracket semifinal loser.