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Worlds 2023 Knockout Stage: Finals Preview, Schedule, and Predictions
Semifinals was the weekend for the unfavored. The balance shifted and the Golden Road collapsed. As we now warm up for the Grand Finals of Worlds 2023, there are only 2 teams remaining. Who will emerge victorious next week, and take home the Summoner’s Cup?
The FINAL TWO Remaining at Worlds 2023
Below is listed the remaining 2 teams who have survived the Semifinals of the Knockout Stage. Thus, they are guaranteed at least a top 2 finish.
In the end, it comes down to the LCK vs the LPL. With the hopes and dreams of two regions on the line, who will see it fulfilled?
The Ultimate Challengers Fall
In the first match, Weibo Gaming came up against a powerful Bilibili in a bloody series that went the distance. Weibo struck first and BLG returned fire. Ultimately the series was a massive extended game of adjustments that saw the two teams consistently shift their game plans to counter the other.
Coming in not only as China’s 4th seed, but also having only beaten Western teams, it was not an exaggeration to say that Weibo were massive underdogs in this series. BLG, for their part, came in with a strong record internationally for the year, was contending with some of the strongest teams from other regions, and most importantly, took down Gen.G
So, to see BLG come up short in one of the only series in which they were heavily favored in, was a shock for many. Moreover, as one watches the series, the win by Weibo was not delivered by any one player, but rather from the collective will of all 5.
TheShy delivered a show-stopping Game 1 and 3 on his Rumble and Graves. This was also paired with Xiaohu on the Syndra, shredding apart BLG in Game 3. BLG delivered some great punches as well, with a massive performance from Bin on his Jax in Games 2 and 4 in particular to clutch the teamfights.
However, in Game 5, TheShy made the uncharacteristic move of locking in Ornn. Casters called back his statement from earlier, where he cited a personal desire to trust in himself to carry. He also said that he would only play a tank top if he trusted his team. And trust his team he did, as Weibo smashed apart BLG’s dreams of making the finals with a truly collective effort.
The Golden Road Crumbles
The Golden Road is a treacherous path, fraught with many pitfalls. None have claimed it yet, and it remains unclaimed for another year. JDG, favorites to win Worlds 2023, have fallen in the Semifinals to T1 once again. In a repeat of 2022, the narrative for T1 continues strong, as the last hope of the LCK looks unstoppable still.
Despite heading in as the favorites from their record, T1’s flexibility in draft and adaptive champion picks, netted them massive advantages in the series. Moreover, JDG did not look quite like themselves in certain areas. Top class jungler Kanavi appeared almost neutered in some of the games, as opposed to Oner, who was having one of his best performances all year (following up from his game against LNG).
And whilst Knight did appear to edge out Faker in the lane, macro-wise, T1 was one step ahead of them in the majority of teamfights. Top laner Zeus delivered an incredible performance against 369, even showing up the more experienced top laner with several solo kills.
Moreover, Keria, as many predicted, has truly blossomed into his moniker of Historic Genius Monster. He has single-handedly reforged the bot-lane meta as Worlds 2023 is being played through his Champion ocean and refined mechanics.
Worlds 2023 Knockout Stage Format
The top 8 teams from the Swiss Stage qualify to the Knockout Stage. This section of the tournament will be single-elimination. All series played during this part of Worlds 2023 will be in Bo5 format. For more information and any further questions, check out our all-in-one Worlds 2023 tournament guide (updated).
Worlds 2023 Knockout Stage Finals Schedule
T1 vs Weibo Gaming [8am GMT | 19th Nov]
All roads lead to the finals. And all roads lead to Faker. Chills descend on Seoul as the Grand Finals finally crests the horizon.
So many narratives cross-stream here at the crescendo of Worlds 2023. LPL vs LCK. The last hope of Korea, T1, facing off against the collective might of the LPL (and surviving two of the three already). Faker, on his journey to collect a fourth Worlds title (in his 6th Worlds finals appearance). TheShy and Crisp are on track to win their second Worlds title as well.
T1 is favored to win this series of course. Not just because they have taken down three LPL teams on their way to the Grand Finals, but because they also took down the ultimate beast, JDG. In most minds, Weibo is no JDG. However, this only serves to fuel the narrative of what if? Weibo has found themselves in a unique position, where very few believe in their potential to overcome a seemingly insurmountable T1. Furthermore, all of Korea’s eyes are on T1 to bring home the glory for Korea.
However, Weibo has already proved doubters wrong once before. It is plausible they can do it again, it is just unlikely that they do.
Where to Watch Worlds 2023 Knockout Stage?
Worlds 2023 Swiss Stage can be watched on Twitch and YouTube. For the full list of streams in all available languages, check this link here.
Credit: LoL Esports // Riot Games
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