DetonatioN FocusME upsets Splyce at LoL Worlds 2019

In one of the most memorable upsets in League of Legends World Championship history, DetonatioN FocusMe delivered a stunning performance against European representatives Splyce. This victory represented far more than just a single match win—it signaled the growing competitive parity between major and minor regions on the global stage.

The LJL champions demonstrated remarkable resilience after their slow tournament start, bouncing back with strategic precision against a favored LEC squad. Many analysts had written off the Japanese team’s chances, but DFM proved that regional underdogs could compete with established powerhouses when executing disciplined game plans.

According to mid laner Kyohei “Ceros” Yoshida, the team’s psychological approach proved transformative. By reframing high-pressure stage matches as routine scrim sessions, DFM maintained composure and focus throughout the contest. This mindset adjustment allowed them to perform at their peak level despite the intimidating Worlds environment.

Splyce initially established control through objective focus and vision dominance, but the match’s trajectory shifted dramatically with Shunsuke “Evi” Murase’s solo elimination of Tamás “Vizicsacsi” Kiss in the top lane. This individual outplay created the foundation for DFM’s eventual victory.

Evi selected Gnar against Vizicsacsi’s signature Kennen pick, creating a classic Yordle showdown where mechanical skill determined lane superiority. In these high-stakes skill matchups, small advantages often translate into insurmountable leads. Evi capitalized perfectly on his early advantage, transforming a single kill into complete lane control that Splyce couldn’t answer.

The snowball effect from top lane became the central narrative of the game. As Evi accumulated resources and experience advantages, his impact extended beyond the laning phase, creating constant pressure that demanded Splyce’s attention and resources. This individual dominance forced Splyce into reactive gameplay rather than executing their preferred strategic approach.

The contest remained remarkably close until the final stages, with both teams exchanging advantages in teamfight scenarios. DFM executed precise zoning strategies to isolate Kasper “Kobbe” Kobberup, recognizing him as Splyce’s primary damage threat. Neutralizing Kobbe’s impact became DFM’s central teamfight objective.

The game’s decisive moment unfolded around the Baron Nashor pit, where DFM successfully eliminated Vizicsacsi and converted the pick into objective control. This sequence demonstrated advanced understanding of tempo and objective conversion that many teams struggle to execute consistently.

Splyce attempted to contest the Baron despite their numerical disadvantage, but without Kennen’s initiation potential and area damage, they lacked reliable engagement tools. This common strategic error—forcing unfavorable objective fights—often separates developing teams from established contenders at international events.

DFM maintained focus on Kobbe while systematically eliminating other Splyce members. The two surviving European players retreated while DFM secured the game-changing Baron buff.

With Baron empowerment, DFM committed to ending the match in a single coordinated push. They established strategic positioning outside Splyce’s base, methodically utilizing each minion wave to incrementally advance into defensive territory. This patient, wave-by-wave approach demonstrated maturity often lacking in teams facing closing scenarios.

Splyce mounted one final defensive effort, with Vizicsacsi attempting a desperate initiation. Evi anticipated this last-gasp engagement and perfectly countered the attempt, denying Splyce their final opportunity to salvage the game.

DFM then systematically dismantled the remaining defense, eliminating Splyce members sequentially until only Andrei “Xerxe” Dragomir remained protecting the nexus. The Japanese squad secured one final elimination before destroying the enemy nexus, claiming their first Worlds victory in dramatic fashion.

This closing sequence offers valuable lessons in clinical game ending—many teams struggle with converting advantages into actual victories, often overcomplicating what should be straightforward closing procedures.

DFM’s victory provides multiple strategic insights for competitive teams. Their psychological preparation approach—treating high-stakes matches as routine practice games—can be adapted by any organization facing performance anxiety in tournament settings.

Common mistakes observed in Splyce’s performance include forcing unfavorable objective contests and failing to adapt when primary strategies become compromised. Advanced teams develop contingency plans for when their preferred win conditions become unavailable.

From a mechanical perspective, the top lane matchup demonstrates how individual outplays in supposedly even skill matchups can determine entire game outcomes. This underscores the importance of lane phase preparation and champion mastery in modern competitive play.

For players looking to improve their own performance, focusing on fundamental skills like vision control, objective timing, and target prioritization in teamfights yields significant improvements. These fundamentals often prove more valuable than complex strategic innovations at most competitive levels.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » DetonatioN FocusME upsets Splyce at LoL Worlds 2019 Analyzing DFM's historic upset over Splyce at Worlds 2019 with strategic insights and lessons learned