G2 Esports knocked out the Korean champions, SK Telecom T1, in the semifinal of the 2019 League of Legends World Championship. The European team is now on track to become the first team in the history of League of Legends esports to achieve a ‘grand slam’ (winning both regional splits, the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championships).
G2’s skill during team fights against SKT while in a deficit put them one up in the series, igniting the fans in the Palacio Vistalegre and setting the tone for the rest of the series.
A massive team fight breaks out near Baron and @G2esports ACE @T1LoL and push down the bot lane for the game one victory! #Worlds2019 pic.twitter.com/UsfqicNF67
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2019
After G2 took game one within 34 minutes, SKT had the chance to bring themselves back into the series. Park “Teddy” Jin-seong showcased his mastery on Yasuo, winning a huge team fight, five for two in favor of SKT 21 minutes into the second game. SKT didn’t struggle as they did in Game 1 and were able to snowball their lead into a victory, taking the series to one apiece.
A huge team fight breaks out in the mid lane and @T1LoL ACE @G2esports! #Worlds2019 pic.twitter.com/7sA85igJtm
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2019
G2’s quick response in Game 3 saw the European representatives take a strong foothold in the best-of-five series. Martin “Wunder” Nordahl Hansen took Camille to the top lane and into the waiting arms of Kim “Khan” Dong-ha on Renekton. Khan took advantage of the matchup early on in the third game, getting the solo kill on Wunder at level 3 under his tower. The tables turned, and Wunder’s late-game Camille would help teamfight G2’s way to winning the third match, taking it to game point for Europe.
A nail-biting fourth game saw Luka “Perkz” Perković and Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle take notes from Teddy and Lee “Effort” Sang-ho, taking Yasuo and Gragas into the bot lane. The first 20 minutes saw a bloody start to the game, 16 combined kills, netting SKT a four kill lead, and a 500 gold advantage.
Lackluster team fights on G2’s behalf enabled SKT to secure the baron 23 minutes in, providing them with a 2000 gold lead and the necessary tools to close out the game. However, G2’s bloodthirsty nature and ability to play from behind kept their grand slam hopes alive as an extended four versus five teamfight netted Perkz a quadra kill and their spot in the grand finals against FunPlus Phoenix, knocking the last Korean team out of the tournament and winning the series 3-1.
WELCOME TO THE 2019 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS, @G2esports!
A @G2Perkz quadrakill caps off a back and forth game four victory! See you in Paris! #Worlds2019 pic.twitter.com/G98399hegS
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2019
November 10 marks the day we witness the second World Championship final between Europe and China. Can G2 be the first team to bring home gold for Europe since season one? Or can Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang lead FunPlus Phoenix to reinstate the new era of League of Legends Pro League (LPL) dominance?