In just a few hours, GAM Esports will enter their crucial match at MSI 2024 – a showdown against LOUD. In fact, GAM currently has no way out, and LLL could be the last lifeline for the VCS representative in the first international competition of 2024. With an opponent coming from a wildcard region, GAM’s chances of winning are still feasible. However, this may not be as easy as it seems, especially given the current context of GAM and their opponent.
As everyone knows, GAM tends to excel when they have nothing to lose or have already determined their future in international tournaments (specifically, when they are certain of elimination). This time, both LLL and GAM are in a do-or-die situation. But LLL has a slight advantage: their current players, except for RedBert, have been competing for years in the top CBLOL teams. Meanwhile, GAM is currently the weakest iteration of the team in many years. Moreover, Emo is a first-time MSI participant. His inexperience was clearly evident in the match against Fnatic.
On the other hand, as Levi has stated, 2024 could be his “last dance” as a player. However, LLL also has a player facing his “last dance”, namely Crocs. According to Crocs’ recent revelations, he will have to return to Korea to fulfill his obligations after the 2024 season ends. Both are on the brink of their final moments as players, but Crocs appears to have more “favorable conditions” compared to Levi.
Clearly, everyone has seen GAM’s performance against FNC compared to LLL’s match against TES, where the CBLOL representative performed better. In fact, LLL almost secured a game win against the LPL runner-up. Meanwhile, GAM didn’t create any surprises against FNC. The players of the yellow-black army tend to play more impulsively and hastily, especially in game 2.
Finally, there’s the psychological factor, as the LLL players clearly seem more pumped up after their match against the LPL runners-up, nearly giving Top Esports a run for their money. Meanwhile, GAM is likely at rock bottom in both performance and morale following their forgettable debut against FNC. With players who have just participated in MSI for the first time and are seen as factors in the team’s defeat (Emo, EasyLove), a psychological collapse is completely understandable. GAM has always been known for their strong mental conditioning. But in the current context, no one can be certain about anything. Therefore, it can be said that hoping for GAM to achieve a miracle right now is nearly impossible. Perhaps fans should just expect the VCS representative to play their best and compete fairly against their opponents.
But still, GAM and their teammates have at least one more match to save themselves. The chances are slim, but if the players can play more calmly and Coach Archie implements some special strategies, who knows, GAM might slip through a narrow door and create a miracle to salvage the tumultuous first half of 2024 for VCS.