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LoL – Worlds 2021: Edward Gaming emerge victorious

After five weeks of competition, the 2021 World Championship has concluded. Edward Gaming from the LPL are our 2021... | 7. November 2021

After five weeks of competition, the 2021 World Championship has concluded. Edward Gaming from the LPL are our 2021 World Champions, delivering one of the biggest upsets in Worlds history through a five-game final.

Coming into the final, Damwon Kia were the clear favorites to take it all as they won against T1 3-2, who looked like the second best team in the tournament. Following Edward Gaming’s rather back and forth series against Gen G, most analysts and experts thought that it would be a miracle for EDG to take even one game.

The Games

Game one featured a rather dive-heavy composition from Damwon Kia with a Yasuo, Xin Zhao, Leblanc, and Rakan, with Ziggs left to clear waves. Edward Gaming responded with some clear engage of their own, with Jarvan IV, good team fighting options with Ryze and Graves, a utility bot laner in the Jhin, and a Zilean to help a possible engage or disengage. EDG’s composition was so well-rounded, and despite it being a close game, the Chinese representatives were able to close it out.

Game two had a surprise Malzahar pick for Heo “ShowMaker” Su. with Kim “Khan” Dong-ha on Graves, and Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu on the Qiyana. They were able to completely suppress Park “Scout” Ye-chan’s Leblanc, Zhao “Jiejie” Li-jie’s Xin Zhao, and Li “Flandre” Xuan-jun’s Irelia. With their Jhin and Leona bottom lane against EDG’s Kai’sa and Rakan, Damwon were victorious on all sides of the map.

Game three was also a clean victory for Damwon Kia. This was the only game that Lee Sin was open, and Canyon seized it without hesitation. ShowMaker on Sylas was exceptional, and while Jang “Ghost” Yong-jun was not snowballing as much on Aphelios, their team fights on objectives were well-executed, granting them full control of the late game.

Edward Gaming began their comeback in game four. It was a slower game without a lot of kills, and it was because neither team did not have enough engage options. Park “Viper” Do-hyeon was on the Jhin and Tian “Meiko” Ye was on Lulu, and they got focused on by Canyon’s Talon. In exchange, though, Jiejie was able to get so far ahead of Canyon on the Viego. Damwon Kia barely found any windows in the game because they tried to pick Nami for Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee.

The last game was a very close one, where Viper finally got his hands on the Aphelios. To do so, they had to give up the Graves to Khan. ShowMaker was on his trademark Syndra, and their bottom lane was once again on Ziggs and Leona. The jungle picks were left for the second phase, so Canyon had no option but to pick Trundle.

EDG got the Rakan, Zoe, and one of the most influential top lane picks in the entire tournament, the Kennen. Flandre had a dominating presence in team fights, often killing key carries. Despite this, the defending world champions held on, and extended the game all the way to an Elder Drake. Edward Gaming emerged victorious in the fight in the key objective, and they managed to secure the series, and with it, the world championship.

What it all means

Damwon Kia were unsuccessful in their title defense, and placed second in both international finals this year. This also means that unfortunately, Khan’s career ends with the world championship outside of his grasp. Even so, overall, this tournament was a success for the LCK. With all four teams making it into quarters and three out of four teams in the semifinals, it will be interesting to see what the region gives us next year.

Edward Gaming, the most decorated team in the LPL, has not only broken their quarterfinals curse, but have finally won the world championship. They are currently the only LPL organization to have won both a Mid-Season Invitational, which they did all the way back in 2015, and a Worlds trophy. Meiko has been the only player that has stayed in the team through all of those years. This trophy is a testament to his hard work and his perseverance.

The LPL also continues to care for and nurture the talent that they acquire from the LCK. Scout has grown so much from being in Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s shadow as he has built his whole career on being a player in the Chinese league. Viper proved that he is still that rising star that we saw on Griffin, and that he definitely deserves the chance to be with a winning team that EDG gave him.

With both MSI and Worlds at the LPL’s hands once again, we are once again under their reign. Whether or not they will be challenged is a question that we will have to leave for the next year.