The knockout stage of the 2024 League of Legends World Championship has kicked off, setting the stage for thrilling matchups as eight determined teams vie for the ultimate prize: the Summoner’s Cup.
With the finals fast approaching in London, fans are excited to see who will emerge as the champion.
Surprises and Disappointments
This year’s tournament has been full of surprises.
Notably, a team from CBLOL has made it to the main event, marking a significant milestone.
On the other hand, the EMEA region faced disappointment, particularly with G2 Esports’ unexpected exit from the competition, leaving them without teams in the knockout rounds.
Emerging regions also had their fair share of challenges, with GAM Esports knocking out MAD Lions KOI during the Swiss phase, yet ultimately failing to secure a spot in the knockout stage.
However, FlyQuest remains a beacon of hope for Western fans.
The LPL teams have showcased their strength, with all four representatives advancing to the next round. Gen.G has been a consistent performer, positioning themselves as a favorite to lift the Summoner’s Cup this year.
T1, the defending champions, are on a quest for their fifth title, looking to continue their legacy.
Knockout Stage Highlights
This knockout stage adopts a single-elimination format with best-of-five series, where a team needs to win three matches to move forward or face immediate elimination.
The top eight teams emerged from a fiercely competitive Swiss stage, filled with unexpected outcomes.
LNG Esports, for instance, surprised many by qualifying with a perfect 3-0 record, especially after early concerns about their mid laner’s performance. Gen.G also finished strong, securing a flawless 3-0 by besting Hanwha Life Esports in a rematch from the LCK Summer Finals.
- Top Esports made a significant impression by defeating Dplus KIA, ending with a strong 3-1 record.
- Likewise, the first seed from LCK, Hanwha Life Esports, secured their knockout spot with a 3-1 record following a tough battle against FlyQuest.
- T1 continued to dominate, defeating G2 Esports 2-0, maintaining an impressive streak of not dropping more than one match in the main stage of Worlds.
- Weibo Gaming advanced with a 3-2 record after besting Fnatic and Dplus, while Bilibili Gaming rounded out the top eight by eliminating G2 in a nail-biting series that concluded 3-2.
- FlyQuest clinched the final knockout spot by edging out Team Liquid 2-1 in the last match of the Swiss phase, echoing their earlier clash in the LCS Summer Finals.
Subsequent Matches and Semifinals
As the knockout phase unfolds, the following initial matchups set the stage for semifinal advancement:
- Wednesday, Oct. 17: LNG Esports vs.
Weibo Gaming (Result: Weibo Gaming 3-1)
- Thursday, Oct. 18: Hanwha Life vs.
Bilibili Gaming (Result: Bilibili Gaming 3-1)
- Friday, Oct. 19: T1 vs.
Top Esports (Result: T1 3-0)
- Sunday, Oct. 20: Gen.G vs.
FlyQuest (Result: Gen.G 3-2)
The knockout rounds witnessed intense clashes between LPL competitors, with Weibo Gaming triumphing over LNG Esports to uphold the LPL’s pride.
Bilibili Gaming’s victory against Hanwha Life dashed hopes for an all-LPL semifinal, while Weibo and Bilibili now prepare for a face-off that could secure a spot in the finals.
T1, meanwhile, put on a masterclass performance against Top Esports, finishing without dropping a match.
In a tightly contested series, FlyQuest almost sprung an upset against Gen.G, narrowly losing 3-2.
With this win, Gen.G now looks forward to a semifinal duel against T1, reigniting their rivalry as they each aim for a finals berth.
The stage is set for what promises to be an intriguing showdown between champions from the LPL and LCK.
Each LPL powerhouse aimed to establish themselves against the formidable LCK presence.
Bilibili Gaming delivered a standout performance, sweeping Weibo Gaming 3-0.
Despite Weibo’s compelling engagement in teamfights, they couldn’t translate their fleeting leads into wins, while Bilibili displayed exceptional composure throughout the series.
T1 finally broke free from their previous close encounters with Gen.G, triumphing in the semifinals.
While Gen.G showed remarkable synergy, T1 consistently secured crucial teamfights, edging closer to a finals appearance for the third consecutive year and thwarting Gen.G’s ambitions of capturing their first Worlds title.
In a thrilling conclusion, T1 defended their title successfully, securing their fifth championship by edging past Bilibili Gaming in a dramatic final held at the O2 Arena on November 2.
Fans were treated to an electrifying showcase of skill and strategy, a fitting end to this year’s intense competition.
Source: Dotesports