LoL Worlds 2024 semi-final preview: Weibo vs BLG & Gen.G vs T1

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of League of Legends under my belt, I can confidently say that this year’s World Championships semi-finals are shaping up to be an exhilarating spectacle. Having watched countless matches and tournaments from the LCS, LEC, and minor regions, I can attest to the sheer caliber of skill and strategy these teams possess.


2024’s League of Legends World Championship is nearing its final moments, and since everything is at stake, every game counts significantly. Here are the essential details about the upcoming semi-final round.

Over the weekend of October 26-27, the competitors hailing from the LCS, LEC, and lesser regions are now out of sight for another year. The remaining teams, primarily from China and Korea, are still in contention as we approach the second to last round.

At minimum, it’s clear that one team from each region will be playing in the championship match. In the semifinals, Weibo Gaming and Bilibili Gaming, both from the LPL, are set for a rematch similar to their Summer 2024 split encounter. On the other hand, Gen.G is aiming to outmaneuver T1’s seemingly unstoppable dominance to reach the finals as well.

With so many dynamics at play, this is our full breakdown of what to expect come game day.

Worlds 2024 semi-final breakdown

Weibo Gaming vs BLG

LoL Worlds 2024 semi-final preview: Weibo vs BLG & Gen.G vs T1

There are so many interesting dynamics in the Weibo/BLG contest that it’s fast becoming one of the more spectacular rivalries in professional LoL. In the domestic league, BLG have nailed themselves down as a dominant force after impressive performances in the Spring and Summer LPL split.

JD Gaming, who are more traditional competitors, didn’t make it to this regional tournament because they were defeated by Weibo in the Regional Finals. As a result, Weibo and BLG now represent the same region here. Weibo struggled against BLG during the regular season, losing 0-3 in the Summer 2024 Grand Final, which was won by BLG, securing their spot at Worlds.

Indeed, there are strong reasons suggesting Weibo might emerge victorious. Notably, they managed to outperform BLG in the thrilling 2023 semi-final, a best-of-five series they won 3-2. However, their streak was halted when T1 handily defeated them in the final.

I’ve been riding high on my recent victory against LNG in the quarterfinals, a 3-1 win that barely slows down the momentum I’ve built after narrowly edging past Fnatic during the Swiss Stage and then outplaying DPlus Kia in a tense 2-2 decider.

As a gamer, I’ve got to hand it to BLG’s line-up at Worlds this year. While Bin’s performances in the top lane might not have grabbed all the headlines, they’ve been absolutely crucial for his team’s victories. Take his Rumble game against G2, for example – it was a masterclass in how to make the most of a champion that many others seem to struggle with. He showed off some serious skill and finesse!

XUN, Knight, and Elk keep producing one impressive play after another, and their ability to engage in team fights effectively gives them significant power. However, difficulties in initiating these fights might present challenges for a team that appears poised to advance otherwise.

On Weibo, there’s a strikingly familiar scenario unfolding, where formidable personalities strike fear into opponents whenever they unite for team battles. The duo from the bot lane, Light and Crisp, have been exceptional this tournament, often outmaneuvering their rivals with an uncanny sense of coordination that borders on telepathy. This skill should serve them well, regardless of any lane changes.

In this contest, BLG is expected to win, but keep an eye out – Weibo might just pull off another surprising victory and advance to the final round.

Gen.G vs T1

LoL Worlds 2024 semi-final preview: Weibo vs BLG & Gen.G vs T1

As a devoted fan, I must admit that after barely scraping through to Worlds at the last moment, it seemed plausible that T1 might find the tournament proper challenging. When they lost to Top Esports in the opening game of the Swiss Stage, my doubts were reinforced. However, ever since then, they have unequivocally silenced their critics with each match they’ve played.

In their matches against PaiN Gaming, Bilibili, and G2, they advanced to the quarterfinals, where they avenged Top Esports in an impressive 3-0 sweep in a best-of-five series. This game offered a glimpse into T1’s past glory and demonstrated that their current squad has the capability to outperform top-tier teams.

In simpler terms, Faker remains true to himself, but struggles to meet his own extremely high benchmarks. However, he consistently plays key champions such as Ahri, which forms a strong foundation for his team. Additionally, his choice of unusual picks like Sylas keeps viewers engaged and entertained.

So far in the tournament, Gumayusi stands out as possibly T1’s top player, delivering strong opening moves and massive damage during team fights that borders on the fantastical. His versatility in champion selection, demonstrated by his effective play on Caitlyn (which effectively neutralized MF), only expands their already diverse range of strategies.

Gen.G performed remarkably during both the Spring and Summer seasons of the LCK, finishing atop the Spring standings with a remarkable 17-1 record, followed by an identical 17-1 score in the Summer. In the playoffs, they defeated T1, only to be defeated by HLE in the final of the Summer season. Their outstanding performance earned them a spot at Worlds, which they qualified for by winning the MSI 2024 tournament.

Regarding their preparations for the World Championship, Gen.G performed exceptionally well and effortlessly translated that performance into the Swiss Stage. They sailed through undefeated with a 3-0 record, triumphing over HLE, Top Esports, and fellow semi-finalists Weibo in the process.

In the quarterfinals, cracks began to show for the first time in FlyQuest’s challenge against Gen.G and T1. Despite ultimately losing 3-2, they managed to snatch two games from their opponents. This surprisingly tight match has made Gen.G seem less invincible, and now T1 will sense an opportunity to attack.

Regardless of how the semifinals unfold, fans can expect an intense, uninhibited battle between two evenly matched teams. Their ability to seize objectives swiftly and weaken enemy bases is so impressive that a minor mistake could lead to elimination from the tournament for either team.

The matchup between Weibo Gaming and BLG is scheduled for October 26 at 2:00 PM Central European Summer Time, while the faceoff between Gen.G and T1 begins at 3:00 PM CEST on October 27.

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2024-10-22 18:49