Right after the match between T1 and Liiv SANDBOX in the first round of the LCK Summer 2021 Playoffs concluded, the four teams present in the Semifinals gathered fully, including: DWG KIA, Gen.G Esports, Nongshim RedForce, and T1.
As the top team in the group stage, DWG KIA had the privilege to choose one of the two teams, Nongshim RedForce or T1, as their opponent in Semifinal 1. And as expected by analysts, the LCK champions continued to “push” T1 aside and chose NS as their opponent.
With this result, the two Semifinal matchups of the LCK Summer 2021 will be:
– DWG KIA vs Nongshim RedForce.
– Gen.G Esports vs T1.
DK’s choice makes the dynamics of the Spring Playoffs almost repeat, only replacing Hanwha Life Esports with Nongshim RedForce. In fact, given the current situation, DK’s choice of opponent is completely reasonable. T1 is on a high-performance streak in the latter half of the group stage and just “cleaned up” Liiv SANDBOX with a score of 3-0.
Meanwhile, NS, after a long time dominating the top position in the group stage, has shown signs of declining performance towards the end. Their weakness is a lack of depth in their roster, and compared to T1, NS’s top lane is significantly less quality, so DK’s choice of this opponent will make it easier for them to implement their playstyle.
The second Semifinal matchup of the Spring 2021 Playoffs will be recreated in this Summer Playoffs. In the Bo5 match during the Spring, GEN easily demolished their arch-rival T1 with a score of 3-0. And in this matchup, they are still considered the stronger team.
Will GEN continue to extend their dominance over their formidable rival in the Bo5 series, or will T1 create an upset by securing a spot in the Finals?