100 Thieves jungler Can "Closer" Çelik made sure to end week 7 of the 2021 League of Legends Championship Series Summer Split with a bang. Closer put on a show against FlyQuest, earning player of the game on Olaf as 100 Thieves ended its weekend with a win. With a record of 27-12, 100 Thieves is in sole possession of 1st place. 

Following 100 Thieves' win over FlyQuest, Closer spoke to Inven Global about how the additions of mid laner Felix "Abbedagge" Braun and head coach Bok "Reapered" Han-gyu helped the team rise to thet top of the LCS standings, his thoughts on the rest of the league, and who he thinks is most likely to secure the two remaining spots in the 2021 LCS Championship. 

How do you feel the rest of the LCS teams size up to 100 Thieves as of right now?

I think there are a couple of teams like Team Liquid, Cloud9 and TSM where I don't know if they're strong, but they are the other top teams, and when we do what we know how to do against them, we do pretty well. I'm not really worried about other teams catching up, I'm more worried about how we keep improving and how we prepare for the playoffs.

Abbedagge has done well in his first LCS split individually, but as a mid laner, how do you think he has changed and improved the team as a whole?

I played with Felix three and a half years ago in Turkey. We played on the same team then, and once we played on the same team again this year, I couldn't believe how much he improved. I think Abbedagge is clearly the best mid laner in the LCS right now. I think he gives a lot to the team, he can play any champion, he always wins his lane, he has really great ideas about the game, and he's a great friend outside of the game. I'm really, really happy that he's part of the team.

Since you and Abbedagge have a previously established personal relationship, did you feel extra responsibility when it came to integrating him into the team?

To be honest, we picked up right where we left off once he joined. We were instantly really close friends again, and we had been talking every once in a while when we were on different teams. For example, when I went to Worlds 2019 with Royal Youth, we met up in Berlin. I didn't feel like there was a lot to catch him up on at 100 Thieves. We've both improved since we last played together, and we couldn't win then, so we want to win this time. It's been more like that.

The other change 100 Thieves made before the start of the Summer Split was hiring Reapered as the team's new head coach. What's his coaching style like and how would you say it compares to previous coaches in your career?

I don't know how to really compare the coaches because I feel like every coach has their own way. Reapered has been focusing on aspects both in and out of the game like how to talk to one another, how to give criticism, and mostly, our macro game. I don't know man, he's just a great, great coach. *laughs* I don't have anything negative to say about how he coaches, he's very good.

There are six games left in the LCS Summer Split and only two of the eight eligible spots to qualify for the LCS Championship are available. Of the four teams not currently qualified, which are Immortals, FlyQuest, Golden Guardians and Counter Logic Gaming, which two teams do you think are most likely to make it to the post-season?

I don't know the strength of each team's schedule, but GG is definitely stronger with Licorice. Licorice is definitely a great addition to their team and they've been winning a lot more since he's joined.

I think GG will make playoffs. Out of the other three teams, I think it's going to be between Immortals and FlyQuest.

Thanks again for your insights. Is there anything you want to say to the 100 Thieves fans?

I know we've dropped some games these past couple of weeks, but I would say it's a result of our greater goals. As long as we improve before playoffs, keep testing champions we need to test, and learn from our losses, we will be fine. Don't worry, we will win in the end.

All images by: Tina Jo/Riot Games via ESPAT