Hi @Larreser, thank you for your feedback!
May I ask if you posted the same complain on the ECL Feedback thread, or if it's just now? Just wondering, because I read a lot of the feedback of other tournies before I thought of this one in order to learn from past mistakes and to see the general interest, and I never ever found an argument of "I don't like to play vs my friends". I never hosted such a big event and I apologize for it not being perfect, will improve in the future, but for now I truly didn't expect this particular problem tbh.
The qualification round is not designed to be interesting too, it's mainly designed to get the 32 teams that will participate in the Group Stage. There is where the real action should begin with the best level possible, with the most amazing match-ups. And it was important to me, that instead of having 15 Argentinas and 15 Mexicos in Group Stage, we get a wide representation, so the majority of people watching, may identify with a country. I like the fact that people may cheer for their own country and have a good time cheering for their friends or fellow countryman.
This is why I find it weird what Bruh and Co. are saying here. What I would do if I was the one playing my friends is exactly what I posted first in this topic, take it with humour, and try my best to beat him. If I wasn't able, and he passed to the group stage, start cheering for him and sending my best vibes. If I won, I would give my best to represent my friend and all other people from my country. There may be friendlyness in competitive gameplay, you just have to be a chilled dude and be nice about it, being polite wether you win or lose, and all will be OK!
Although this is my opinion and of course you may differ from it, I would gladly read how you think this could've designed better as you stated, in order to improve for future editions, in case this one plays out nice!
Best Regards!