BLG ON on being 2-2 at Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage: "Before coming into Swiss Stage, I thought it would be easy for us"

"I hope we will face against T1 again."

Despite coming into Worlds 2024 as one of the absolute favorites to win it all, Bilibili Gaming (BLG) quickly found out that Worlds requires a whole different level of preparation altogether.

After moving down to a 1-2 scoreline in the Swiss Stage following losses to LNG Esports and T1, BLG squared off against PSG Talon to decide which team would be going home. In a shocking turn of events, BLG decided to field substitute jungler, and former starter, XUN in place of Wei.

Following the team's 2-0 victory over PSG, Strafe took the chance to talk to BLG's support ON in an exclusive interview in which he discussed the decision to play with XUN and his thoughts on the team standing on the brink of elimination.

Could you talk me through the team's thought process behind the decision to play with XUN instead of Wei for today's series?

I'm not really sure why, since it's decided by our coaches.

Could you maybe talk to me about what the main differences you feel are between playing with XUN and playing with Wei?

I think that XUN has a good mindset in games and he's really good at playing fighters. But Wei is more, like, he can directly control the team as a leader.

This was also the first time that Jayce was picked during the Swiss Stage this year. Was that knight's decision to play Jayce or a combined team decision? And what do you think it is that made Jayce a strong pick for this game?

Picking Jayce was knight's personal decision. And, picking Jayce was because there were a few bans occurring in the to top lane, so that's why he picked Jayce. Picking Jayce in-game wise, I personally believe that it's strong about when he got 2-3 items and it's helping the team fight goes well.

BLG are 2-2 at the Swiss Stage, and your next series will decide whether you move on to the Quarterfinals or if you are eliminated from Worlds altogether. When you were coming into the tournament, was there any part of you that thought you might be put in this position?

Before coming into Swiss Stage, I thought it would be easy for us. But then, we didn't, like, we didn't think that it would be this difficult. Now we're in this situation. Now, the next game will be a do or die game, so, of course we hope that we will advance. 

Would you say that the losses against LNG and T1 have affected the team's confidence? Would you say that the losses have had an effect on the way you play the game?

For those two games I think that we hadn't lost in a while, and it's because of those two losses that we found out our problems and then we could improve.

PSG actually put up a very strong performance today against BLG. What would you say it is about the way PSG plays that allows them to have such strong showings against very strong teams despite being a minor region team themselves?

I think that, for PSG for example, their top and jungle, or their top and support they have really small team fights, their macro was really good. And then, that's why they have leads in the early games. 

Do you feel like the atmosphere and the pressure to perform at Worlds is different and perhaps greater than during matches like the LPL Summer Finals?

I think that playing at Worlds is more stressful for us. And playing at Worlds we kind of, like, compared to being in the LPL, we haven't found our standard now. But, like, after playing a few games I hope we will find how we play normally, the feeling is back, and then I hope we will advance to London.

Despite the losses to LNG and T1, I'm sure a lot of people would agree that BLG are still big favorites to win Worlds. Who would you say are your biggest competition or rivals on your way to winning Worlds?

For now, I want to focus on the teams that are on the same score, 2-2, with us.

Do you have any preferences on who you would like to face on your final match of the Swiss Stage?

I hope we will face against T1 again.

For the latest League of Legends news, follow Strafe Esports. To follow everything on Worlds 2024, check out our full guide. Also follow the Strafe YouTube channel for exlcusive interviews with your favorite players and coaches.

 Image souce: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games

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