EDward Gaming won their first ever Worlds semifinal, defeating Gen.G in a five-game series. The LPL champion will face off against its Korean counterpart DWG KIA in the final.
After T1 and DWG KIA threw down on Saturday in a five-game series for a spot in the finals, it was time for Gen.G and EDward Gaming to select the second finalist. Both teams had their ups and downs - Gen.G barely making it out of a four-way tie in the group, while EDG taking the second place in theirs and surviving a 3-2 quarterfinal against fellow LPL team RNG.
A Five-game Tug of War
The two teams went back and forth in the first game. EDward Gaming had the gold lead from the early game and at first had the better objective control, but when Park "Viper" Do-hyeon was picked off 28 minutes into the game, Gen.G secured the first Baron to tie the gold. The teams remained neck and neck until EDG broke a standoff near the elder drake to backdoor the base.
Despite losing the first blood, Gen.G were the more active team in the second game and they quickly surged ahead in gold and pressure. The LPL representatives tried to find trades and narrow the gap, but 27 minutes it cost them dearly when they overreached and were nearly aced after a Kim "Rascal" Kwang-hee flank. Gen.G aced EDG after a desperate Baron and got their first win.
The LCK team continued their great performance in the third game, getting an early lead with proactive teamfighting on the map with great roams from Gwak "Bdd" Bo-seong. Despite the early deficit, EDG managed to delay the game and looked poised for a comeback when another Rascal flank resulted in three kills and the LCK team rushed the enemy base.
Things looked dark for EDward Gaming, but they delivered in game 4. Three early kills for Lee "Scout" Ye-chan’s Zoe made her a powerhouse from early on and EDG was in the lead for virtually the entire game. Despite losing the first three dragons, 27 minutes they struck back, getting four kills near the dragon pit to delay the soul and secure a Baron. With it, their siege was unstoppable and they equalized the series in convincing fashion.
EDG were ready to brawl in the decider game, taking a first blood in the mid lane and winning two botlane skirmishes to take over the early game. The extra gold and kills on their carries proved vital to turning a great Gen.G engage 22 minutes in as EDG got an ace and the Baron. Gen.G could only watch as EDG got cloud soul, a second Baron and pushed them in to reach their first ever Worlds final.
Read More:
- 2021 World Championship: Scores, Schedule & More
- T1 Push DWG KIA to a FiveGame Series
- LoL Worlds Semi-Finals: Our Expert Predictions
EDward Gaming will face DWG KIA in the finals on November 6th, with the games starting at 1 PM CET. Don’t miss it - and in the meantime, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!