GAM Esports had no way out before facing Team Liquid. Like their representatives from LCS, GAM had lost two previous matches in the Swiss round of World Championship 2023. While GAM’s losses were entirely understandable, it clearly put them in a tough spot. TL remains a very strong team (the third seed from LCS) and furthermore, their roster includes two World Champions (Pyosik and CoreJJ). Meanwhile, Summit has always been a solid support in the Top Lane.
However, GAM was the team that ultimately emerged victorious. The gameplay of the yellow-black squad in this match was significantly brighter. While TL continued to perform poorly, it felt as if TL could only rise when GAM made mistakes. Nevertheless, GAM did not allow the LCS representative that opportunity. The reigning VCS champions made sensible picks and bans, played their champions effectively, and secured a final victory with a score of 2-1, keeping their hope alive to advance past the Swiss round.
However, GAM also had some moments of mistakes or questionable decisions in the match, as SofM pointed out in his analysis. Specifically, in the first game, at the 19th minute, GAM initiated an attack in the Top Lane. Kati with Tristana engaged too early while Levi and Palette were distracted by damage. This made the situation merely a trade of kills.
Moving to game 2, SofM observed that GAM’s picks and bans were too greedy, lacking a true tank champion while having too much damage in their composition. The absence of anyone to shield Kati, Kiaya, or Slayder made GAM’s team composition strong in team fights but too fragile. The only game where SofM praised GAM the most and had almost no “glaring issues” was the decisive third game. However, alongside his comments on GAM’s handling mistakes, SofM also acknowledged that GAM had good picks and bans in their two winning games.
According to SofM, GAM still has some issues with timing in their plays that aren’t truly “max ping”. This is particularly dangerous as other opponents, such as the top teams from LEC, LCK, or LPL, are unlikely to give GAM the chance to correct their mistakes. Nevertheless, GAM’s victory over TL is commendable, and the VCS representative still has ample opportunity to improve.