The final match of the Esports World Cup 2024 took place with results that were truly unexpected for many. While many fans placed their trust in T1 to secure victory, the overwhelming score they displayed, especially after being defeated in the first match, was hard to imagine. TES is not a weak opponent, as JackeyLove’s squad had previously defeated Gen.G – the reigning MSI 2024 champion, as well as G2 Esports – the king of LEC. Not to mention, T1 is famously known for slow adaptation and even a bit stubborn, as demonstrated clearly in the 2022 World Championship and previous matches.
However, one fact that was proven in the match is that TES was indeed the team that adapted very slowly. Even when T1 identified TES’s weaknesses, this team still struggled with their gameplay. The confusion became apparent when T1 started making bold picks, such as Jhin – Bard in the bot lane or Faker confidently using the “national champion” Yasuo in the decisive match. According to LPL viewers, Faker’s confidence stemmed from the realization that TES would struggle to keep up if faced with picks or strategies outside their calculations.
TES’s defeat also highlighted a significant gap at the current time between LPL and LCK. LPL representatives possess good skills, but their ability to adapt to changing variables remains relatively slow. Bilibili Gaming at MSI 2024 could only defeat T1 thanks to individual standout moments from Bin or Knight, with very few matches where BLG showed they outplayed T1 in terms of drafting or strategic execution.
For several seasons, the LPL has been at a disadvantage compared to LCK in international tournaments. In the past three years, LPL representatives have only secured 2 MSI championships. However, in the World Championship, regardless of how many representatives reach the semifinals or finals, LPL has yet to bring home another World Championship trophy since Edward Gaming’s title in 2021.