GEN upset 1:3 by T1 in LoL Worlds 2024 semifinals

In a stunning upset, T1 eliminated tournament favorites GEN 3-1 in the semifinals of the 2024 League of Legends World Championship in Paris, France on October 27th. The victory sends T1 to their third consecutive Worlds final, where they will face off against China’s BLG for the Summoner’s Cup.

Heading into the match, many experts favored GEN, who had gotten the better of T1 in recent LCK splits. However, T1 demonstrated superior preparation, champion pools, and in-game decision making to take down their Korean rivals.

In game 1, T1 boldly last-picked Jayce into GEN’s Vladimir, a matchup considered highly disadvantageous. But top laner Zeus made it work, absorbing pressure and even solo killing Kiin to set the tone for the series. In the mid lane, Faker’s signature Corki ran rampant, dodging ganks from Canyon’s Poppy and repeatedly roaming to secure objectives. A 23-minute Baron secure by T1 broke the game open, and they never looked back, taking a 1-0 series lead.

Staring down a potential 0-3 sweep, GEN adjusted in game 2 by flexing Aatrox to the mid lane for Chovy and picking Peyz’s comfort Ezreal. The gambit paid off as GEN secured first blood onto Zeus' overextended Gnar. Chovy’s Aatrox took over the game from there, diving and assassinating T1 members with abandon. GEN evened the series 1-1 in a 29-minute stomp.

In the pivotal game 3, T1 unveiled a surprise Akali pick for Faker, betting that Chovy’s shallow champion pool would be exposed without his signature Azir available. The gamble worked to perfection, as Faker solo killed Chovy’s Ahri twice in lane and became an unstoppable splitpushing threat. Meanwhile, Oner’s impeccable Maokai engages locked down Lehends' immobile Nautilus, allowing T1 to steamroll teamfights. In a callback to 2013, Faker carried T1 to match point with a classic assassin performance.

Down to their tournament lives, GEN attempted a Hail Mary engage composition in game 4 with Camille and Azir. But Keria saw it coming, blind picking his trademark Pyke support. Keria’s roams completely shut down Peyz’s Lucian, while Zeus' comfort Aatrox smashed Kiin’s Fiora counterpick. A desperate 5v5 at 27 minutes briefly gave GEN hope, but T1 punished their overextension, acing them at mid lane before storming into GEN’s base to close out the series.

The match was decided by differences in champion pools, draft priorities, and seamless coordination from T1. Faker showed he still has one of the deepest champion oceans in the world by dominating on mages and assassins alike. Oner and Keria looked like the best jungle/support duo in the tournament with their synced engages and vision control.

For GEN, questions will be asked about their overreliance on a few comfort picks like Azir, and inability to adapt in a Bo5 setting. Canyon was uncharacteristically flustered on engage champions, while Ruler was held to zero impact by T1’s suffocating bottom lane.

With the victory, Faker moves to an unprecedented 6 Worlds finals in his illustrious career. To cement his status as the unquestioned GOAT of League of Legends, he’ll need to avenge his 2021 loss to BLG and bring the Summoner’s Cup back to the LCK. The grudge match is set for November 5th at the Accor Arena in Paris.