Worlds 2021: Quarterfinals Review and Semifinals Preview
The curtains have closed on the west in this years’ World Championship. MAD and Cloud9 both fell in blowout defeats to Damwon KIA and Gen.G. Both teams were defeated 3-0, which could only be described as one of the worst performances from Europe and North America.
Korea, on the other hand, has secured three of the four semifinal spots, after T1 dismantled Hanwha Life Esports 3-0, and those mentioned above 3-0’s from Damwon and Gen.G. Korean dominance couldn’t be more evident after the Damwon series, they have yet to lose a game in the tournament.
Then in the battle of the last two Chinese teams, EDG finally reached the semifinals at worlds, with a tight 3-2 over RNG. EDG’s “Jiejie” played out of his mind and arguably is the only reason EDG was able to move on to the next round.
SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
A rematch of the Korean finals between Damwon KIA and T1 is guaranteed to be an insane matchup on Saturday. T1 is looking for their fourth world championship, the last being in 2016. While Damwon is hoping to become the second team to win multiple world championships (the other being T1). The mid-lane matchup between Faker and Showmaker always delivers. On Saturday, only one of them can reach the finals again.
Following on Sunday, EDG takes on Gen.G. EDG’s victory over RNG secured their first semifinals birth, and now they have the weakest Korean team to take down. Gen.G’s 3-0 over Cloud9 was surprising, to say the least. Many fans thought Cloud9 would win, or at least take the series to five games. Instead, Gen.G looked dominant and destroyed the American representatives. EDG search for the first finals appearance. Can they take down Gen.G?
PREDICTIONS
I believe on Saturday, T1 will upset Damwon in a 3-2 victory, led by Faker and Oner. Then, I think EDG will join T1 in the finals after a dominant 3-1 win over Gen.G.
It all comes down to this, will Faker return to the finals? Or will Damwon instill their new Dynasty over the world?
