Gen.G suffers major upset at Worlds 2023

In a stunning development at Worlds 2023, Bilibili Gaming delivered a massive upset by eliminating Gen.G from the tournament quarterfinals.

The Korean powerhouse entered as heavy favorites but fell victim to BLG’s determined playstyle for the second time this year. These squads previously clashed during MSI 2023’s knockout phase where BLG secured a decisive 3-0 victory. This rematch proved significantly more competitive, with BLG ultimately prevailing 3-2 after a hard-fought series that saw multiple momentum shifts.

Gen.G’s elimination represents one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, particularly given their dominant LCK Summer Championship performance. The loss continues a troubling pattern for LCK top seeds facing LPL competition in critical international matches.

Gen.G’s international tournament woes persist despite their domestic success. During the Swiss Stage, the team demonstrated exceptional form by winning all three rounds without dropping a single match. However, this early qualification created an unexpected disadvantage as the squad faced nearly two weeks without competitive play.

The extended break combined with reported internet connectivity problems and limited practice opportunities in Busan created perfect conditions for an underperformance. Teams that qualify early often struggle with maintaining competitive rhythm, while those fighting through the full Swiss stage typically enter knockouts with better momentum and sharper mechanics.

BLG’s path through the tournament required navigating all five Swiss rounds, providing valuable match experience and strategic refinement. Though the Chinese representatives faced similar practice limitations, their continuous competitive engagement provided a crucial advantage in maintaining form and adaptability.

For two consecutive games, Gen.G appeared to reverse the MSI narrative, securing wins that suggested a potential series turnaround. However, BLG demonstrated superior resilience in the decisive final game, preventing the reverse sweep and sending the LCK champions home without the trophy they desperately sought.

BLG advances to the semifinals

The historical trend of LCK teams struggling in home-soil World Championships appears firmly intact. Since the tournament’s inception, Korean squads have consistently underperformed when competing before domestic audiences, creating what many fans call the ‘home soil curse.’

BLG now progresses to the semifinal round where they’ll confront Weibo Gaming in an all-LPL showdown. This matchup guarantees Chinese representation in the grand finals, putting significant pressure on both organizations.

The opposite bracket features Korea’s remaining hope resting with the telecom-sponsored teams. KT Rolster prepares for their confrontation with JD Gaming, while legendary organization T1 tests their capabilities against LNG Esports. These matches will determine whether LCK can salvage regional pride or if LPL continues their international dominance.

Strategic analysts note that BLG’s victory demonstrates the importance of maintaining competitive intensity throughout the tournament. Teams that peak at the right moment often overcome superior individual talent through better coordination and strategic execution.

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