With just four teams left in the running for the Worlds 2024 title, it’s time to take a closer look at our potential trophy lifters. These four squads have played their hearts out the entire year. Only three series’ are left to determine who earns the honor of taking home League of Legends’ biggest prize, the Summoners’ Cup.
Semifinal 1 – Weibo Gaming vs Bilibili Gaming
This grudge match between the LPL’s first and fourth seeds is one that not many saw coming. Both teams qualified in round five of Swiss with 3-2 records. BLG looked to be struggling much more than expected, and with a matchup against the 3-0 Hanwha Life Esports in Quarterfinals, it was a question of if they could remedy their form with such a short break. On the day however, BLG were the better team without question, besting the LCK’s number one with ease.
For a second straight year, Weibo Gaming came into Worlds as the LPL’s fourth seed, and for a second straight year they’ve guaranteed at least a top four finish after defeating LNG in the quarterfinals. This team seems to have the big stage clutch factor, playing their best when the lights are brightest.
While this matchup is tough to call, we believe that BLG still needs to show more. A win over LCK number one sounds amazing on paper, but when you realize that HLE only had wins over PSG Talon, G2 Esports, and FlyQuest this Worlds, it adds the question of how good their form was as well.
Meanwhile, WBG has been battling as underdogs the entire tournament. They’ve been here before, they know what is needed to get to Worlds Finals. Their wins and opponents’ wins have been much more impressive on paper, and they look to have a more in-depth read of the meta as well. Though it’s the unsafe pick, we’re going with Weibo Gaming.
Semifinal 2 – T1 vs Gen.G
The LCK’s el classico is getting its most important iteration yet in the Worlds 2024 Semifinals. Recent history has not been kind to T1 in this matchup. Gen.G has won the previous 10 meetings in a row, including multiple LCK Playoffs matches. This should be a no brainer going off that alone.
However, Worlds T1 is a different beast. No one thought they would win last year, and they did. Few thought they were in form to get to the Semifinals this year, and they have. You can’t count the winningest org in LoL history out when the Summoners’ Cup is on the line.
Additionally, the recent Quarterfinals have been a major swinging point in the perceived strength of these teams. T1 stomped TOP Esports flat in their match, while Gen.G struggled greatly to put FlyQuest away in theirs.
It should be said that Gen.G have the highest floor of any team in the world. Any of their players can pick up the slack for ones who are struggling. Jungler Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu even appears to be in MVP form. The question is if Gen.G can overcome their Worlds jitters and perform as a team when it matters to reach their ceiling. Because T1 can do that.
We’re expecting a five-game series no matter who wins.
A coin flip is likely as good a tool to pick the winner as any, but we’re going to go with the dramatic storyline. Eleventh time will be the charm for T1 as they qualify for a second straight Worlds Finals.
Who will Win Worlds?
If these predictions hold true, then Worlds 2024 will make history. It would be the second ever Worlds Finals rematch, and the first Worlds Finals featuring two fourth seeds.
Last year when WBG and T1 played, T1 ended up sweeping them 3-0. While Weibo looks stronger this year than last, it would take another level entirely to win the Summoners’ Cup against the same team that crushed them last year.
It’s clichéd, it’s easy to say, and it might even be a bit biased, but with how good T1 appears to be playing, they are our pick to win Worlds 2024. Though, if Gen.G comes out on top of that much-anticipated Semifinal match, then they will likely be the ones hoisting the Summoners’ Cup instead.
