After a tense match against Team Whales, GAM Esports (GAM) has officially become the sole representative of VCS as well as all the minor regions and wildcards remaining at the World Championship (Worlds) 2023. This is a well-deserved achievement for GAM, as despite being the reigning VCS champion, the black-and-yellow team was not highly rated after a lackluster debut against LOUD. Meanwhile, TW left many disappointed by not making it past the Play-In stage of the tournament.
However, just as VCS fans were momentarily excited about GAM’s achievement, the hand of fate, drawn by legendary Support Mata, placed GAM against Gen.G – the reigning LCK champion and a top contender for the Worlds 2023 title. Alongside JD Gaming, Gen.G is one of the two strongest and toughest teams among the four that GAM could face in the Swiss round. It can be said that, while there might have been a small chance of GAM pulling off an upset against Top Esports in 2022, the likelihood of that happening against Gen.G is almost zero.
Nevertheless, the attitude of VCS fans has been quite “strange”. On many forums, the audience of the Vietnamese League of Legends scene is completely relaxed, if not excited. After all, everyone understands that GAM reaching this stage is already a significant effort. Moreover, facing Gen.G – a team with one of the most comprehensive playstyles currently – means that hoping for a win is merely optimistic. The audience is just looking forward to seeing the VCS stars get the chance to compete against the top LCK superstars, and that wish has been fulfilled.
Of course, for the players, they are not allowed to give up and will definitely fight until the last minute. Furthermore, GAM itself no longer carries the burden of needing to win. And who knows, in a day with a relaxed mindset, GAM might replicate their miracle as they once did against TES. If a miracle occurs, it would truly be a seismic shock at this year’s Worlds.