The League of Legends World Championships 2024 is drawing to its inevitable conclusion and, with the whole lot on the road, it’s all to play for. Right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to know concerning the upcoming semi-final stage.
Set to happen over the weekend of October 26-27, the opponents from the LCS, LEC and minor areas at the moment are firmly within the rearview mirror for an additional 12 months. The groups from the extra minor leagues have additionally fallen away, leaving solely groups from China and Korea standing on this penultimate spherical.
On the very least, we additionally know that one crew from both area will characteristic within the last. The semis see LPL sides Weibo Gaming and Bilibili Gaming go face to face in a rematch of the Summer time 2024 break up, whereas Gen.G tries to beat the seemingly divine proper of T1 to safe their place within the finals.
With so many dynamics at play, that is our full breakdown of what to anticipate come sport day.
Worlds 2024 semi-final breakdown
Weibo Gaming vs BLG
Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video gamesThere are such a lot of fascinating dynamics within the Weibo/BLG contest that it’s quick changing into one of many extra spectacular rivalries in skilled LoL. Within the home league, BLG have nailed themselves down as a dominant pressure after spectacular performances within the Spring and Summer time LPL break up.
Their extra conventional rivals, JD Gaming, didn’t qualify after shedding out to Weibo within the Regional Finals, leaving the latter as BLG’s regional compatriots right here. Weibo had a tricky time in opposition to BLG within the common season, shedding 0-3 within the Summer time 2024 Grand Last that noticed the latter qualify for Worlds.
That mentioned, there are some compelling arguments for Weibo’s potential to win. They famously beat BLG within the 2023 semi-final, in a spectacular best-of-five that noticed them come out forward 3-2 earlier than they might ultimately get cleanly swept by T1 within the last.
Their spectacular 3-1 win over LNG within the quarters has accomplished little to stall their momentum after they squeaked by means of the Swiss Stage by taking out Fnatic after which DPlus Kia within the 2-2 decider.
BLG’s line-up has been remarkably constant at Worlds thus far and Bin’s flip within the high lane might have gone beneath the radar, nevertheless it has been crucial to his crew’s success. His use of Rumble in opposition to G2 was a spotlight, as he demonstrated spectacular prowess on a champ that others have struggled to get probably the most out of.
XUN, Knight, and Elk proceed to hit spotlight play after spotlight play and their crew battle prowess provides them a ton of efficiency. Points with establishing these fights may very well be a potential downside for a crew that in any other case appears to be like in nice form to progress.
Weibo is in a remarkably comparable state of affairs, with massively spectacular people who frighten all comers once they come collectively cohesively for crew fights. The bot lane combo of Mild and Crisp have been among the many greatest within the match thus far and their near-telepathic potential to line up foes ought to stand them in nice stead, no matter lane swaps.
BLG heads into the match as favorites, however don’t be stunned if Weibo is ready to upset the apple cart and head into the ultimate as soon as once more.
Gen.G vs T1
Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video gamesAfter T1 barely managed to make it to Worlds on the final time of asking, you’d be forgiven for considering they might battle on the match correct. A loss to High Esports within the Swiss Stage opener furthered that college of considering, however they’ve spent each match since categorically shutting down the doubters.
Shutouts in opposition to PaiN Gaming, Bilibili, and G2 noticed them progress to the quarter-finals, the place they took their revenge on High Esports in a spectacular 3-0 greatest of 5. That match served as a window into the T1 of previous and a reminder that their present roster has the potential to blow away wonderful groups.
Faker has continued to be Faker, with out hitting his personal ridiculously lofty requirements. That mentioned, his use of staple champions like Ahri has served because the bedrock for his crew to construct on, whereas spotlight picks like Sylas proceed to excite spectators.
Gumayusi has arguably been T1’s participant of the match thus far, providing spectacular openers and loopy carry harm in crew fights. His potential to dip into the champ pool and be efficient on picks like Caitlyn (the place he solely shut down MF), simply provides them additional instruments of their already broad arsenal.
Gen.G was unbelievable within the common season, topping out the Spring desk with a 17-1 document within the LCK, earlier than occurring to beat T1 within the playoffs. They repeated that common rating within the Summer time earlier than shedding the ultimate to HLE, all after that they had certified for Worlds by profitable MSI 2024.
So far as run-ups to Worlds go, Gen.G did about in addition to it’s potential to do they usually had little hassle carrying that momentum by means of to Swiss Stage. They waltzed by means of with a 3-0 document, beating HLE, High Esports, and fellow semi-finalists Weibo alongside the best way.
The primary potential chinks of their armor appeared within the quarter-final, the place NA champs FlyQuest managed to steal away two video games in an eventual 3-2 loss. This surprisingly shut affair has lowered the sense of invulnerability that surrounds Gen.G and T1 will odor blood within the water.
Nevertheless the semi does find yourself taking part in out, and followers are in for a no-holds-barred slugfest that will probably be gained and misplaced in just a few defining fights. Each groups are so remarkably efficient at claiming targets and undermining bases that the slightest slip-up will seemingly spell the top of the match for one among these sides.
Weibo Gaming vs BLG is all set for October 26 at 2.00 PM CEST, whereas Gen.G vs T1 will get underway at 3.00 PM CEST on October 27.