Thus, after much anticipation from the Vietnamese League of Legends fans, GAM Esports has defeated LOUD – the team that had previously beaten GAM in their opening match at the 2023 World Championship (Worlds). This achievement not only allows GAM to take successful revenge but, more importantly, continues to fuel hopes of advancing to the Swiss stage. Their final opponent in the Play-In round is none other than Team Whales – a familiar team in the VCS.
GAM’s victory also carries significant meaning for the VCS region: they are guaranteed to have a representative in the top 16 of the Worlds 2023. With the BO1 format of the Swiss group stage, there is every reason to believe that more surprises may come, just like how GAM defeated Top Esports in Worlds 2022 and eliminated the LPL runner-up from the tournament. Therefore, VCS fans can temporarily rest easy, especially when their region continues to showcase its familiar strength against similar or weaker opponents, avoiding any more regrettable stumbles.
GAM’s victory also helps VCS achieve another milestone: For the first time in the history of Worlds, fans will witness a BO5 match featuring a “derby” between two teams from a region outside of the LCK – LPL. Since the introduction of BO5 matches and the recording of “internal battles” between teams from the same region, only teams from the LCK or LPL have had such “internal battles”. The most recent was the “LCK derby” between T1 and DRX at last year’s Worlds.
Thus, in the very first season that the format of Worlds has changed, the VCS has forced the international League of Legends community to mention their region in a truly special way. But witnessing the performances of TW and GAM, this result is completely deserved. Both teams have contributed their finest and regardless of how the match on October 15 turns out, it will be a fitting reward for the victor, as well as respect for the defeated team.