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BLG is the ULTIMATE Dark Horse at Worlds 2023
Bilibili Gaming (BLG) is the ultimate dark horse team at Worlds 2023, and most of us never realized it. Now facing off against Weibo Gaming, they are one series away from making the Grand Finals of Worlds.
They Had Arguably The Hardest Route
Of all the Semifinalists, BLG arguably had the hardest route to make it to this point. In the Swiss Stage, they faced KT Rolster, JD Gaming, Fnatic, T1, and G2. They beat KT, Fnatic, and G2, and lost to JDG and T1. In the Quarterfinals, they faced Gen.G. Aside from KT Rolster (who is LCK’s 3rd seed), they have not faced any other team ranked lower than the 2nd seed from their region.
By comparison, JDG have had to face Team BDS, BLG, and LNG. In the Quarterfinals, they faced KT Rolster. T1 had Team Liquid, Gen.G, Cloud9, BLG, and LNG. Weibo had the most egregious draws, getting NRG, G2, KT Rolster, MAD Lions, Fnatic, and NRG (again). Furthermore, their loss to KT and G2 only further cemented their reputation at this tournament as Western beaters and little else.
This is their second Semifinals of the year
Historically, BLG as an organization has not done well, either domestically or internationally. Prior to this latest iteration of the roster, their best placement domestically was a 3rd placing in the LPL 2018 Spring regular season. Do mark that during this period, the LPL was run in two separate brackets, separated into the West and East Brackets. BLG placed 3rd in the West Bracket.
However, since the commencement of this roster, they placed 5th in Spring, 2nd in the Spring Playoffs, 2nd at MSI, 1st in the Summer Season, and 3rd place in the Summer Playoffs. All within a year. Now, they are in the Semifinals of Worlds, at their first Worlds showing.
Their Power Scaling/Tracking is on Point
BLG has proven over the course of this year that teams they should win, they usually win. Teams they are less favored to beat, they usually make it close anyways. The sole exception to this role seems to be JDG.
This theory tracks into their upcoming series against Weibo. Weibo’s track record at this Worlds does not lend them any favor. The one time they come against an Eastern team, Weibo loses to them. Their only victories at this tournament have been against Western teams.
Meanwhile, BLG has proven through their arduous track to the Semifinals that they are more battle-hardened. Meaning, this series should lean towards a clean BLG victory.
They Beat Gen.G
That’s it. That’s the statement.
They Know JDG Better than Any Other Team
According to game-tournaments.com, BLG has faced JDG 8 times this year, including three times domestically. BLG has not won a single one of these series. Assuming BLG wins against Weibo, and JDG wins their side of the Semifinals, BLG is due for a victory in at least one of their series.
They are Due for Revenge against T1
Should the Semifinals go the other way, and T1 emerges victorious against JDG, BLG is also armed to face them. The two teams have had two face-offs this year, going 1-for-1 in matchup thus far. BLG beat T1 at MSI earlier this year. T1 beat BLG in the Swiss Stage of Worlds.
Conclusion
BLG has slowly crafted the ultimate Dark Horse run here at Worlds 2023 and it is near completion. Regardless of who you cheer for, the energy and excitement is reaching a fever pitch as we officially begin the Semifinals of Worlds 2023.
Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games
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