Cover-Credits:
After spending just one season together, North American organization Team Liquid released its attack damage carry (ADC) Steven “Hans sama” Liv from its League of Legends squad. Notably, the 2022 season was Hans sama’s first venture outside of Europe. Last week, an Upcomer report stated that European team Karmine Corp (KCorp) was attempting to acquire Hans sama as his Team Liquid contract was being terminated. A roster change in Team Liquid was expected with the organization’s owner Steve Arhancet announcing that the League of Legends squad would look different next year.
Team Liquid wrote on Twitter along with a video clip, “Today we say farewell to @Hanssama. Thank you for all that you have done for us at TLH this past year. We look forward to seeing you again on the other side of the stage. Bonne chance!”
Hans sama’s short stint with Team Liquid
Heading into the 2022 season, Team Liquid was one of the strongest-looking squads in North America, on paper, as the team signed veteran players in the scene. Notably, Hans sama entered the North American league after a successful season with Rogue. Unfortunately, a few shortcomings prevented the team from going to Worlds 2022.
Team Liquid’s League of Legends roster had big-name players:
Top: Gabriël "Bwipo" Rau
Jungle: Lucas "Santorin" Tao Kilmer Larsen
Mid: Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg
ADC: Hans sama
Support: Jo "CoreJJ" Yong-in
Team Liquid was facing a do-or-die situation in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) Championship 2022 when it went up against Evil Geniuses in the lower bracket of the playoff. The team lost the series and finished just one game short of a Worlds 2022 slot.
The disappointing result put forth by the team stood testament to the fact that superteams do not work out as well anymore.
On 13th September, Brieuc “LEC Wooloo” Seeger reported for Upcomer that Hans Sama is eyeing a return to Europe after a disappointing year with Team Liquid. Karmine Corp, a French team participating in the La Ligue Française Summer (LFL) is reportedly looking to sign Hans sama. As a result, KCorp’s ADC Carl Martin Erik “Rekkles” Larsson is reportedly exploring options in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC).
In the farewell video, Hans sama said he was thankful to Team Liquid and also reflected on what went right and wrong during his tenure. “No matter where I end up, I will try my hardest,” he resonated.
It will be interesting to see where most of the free agents end up since the off-season is starting early for the teams that failed to make it to Worlds 2022.
Meanwhile, League of Legends Worlds 2022 is kicking off on 29th September with the opening stage of Play-ins. Head on to Worlds 2022 Play-in: Teams, Groups, Schedule & More to keep up with the updates.
