Top Esports has brought a wave of jubilation to its fanbase, successfully overcoming past disappointments in international competitions. Despite being regarded as one of the top teams from the LPL during the Summer Split, the team’s performance in previous international events had contributed to a cautious optimism among supporters. However, their recent achievement marks a significant milestone: for the first time in five years, Top Esports has qualified for the semi-finals of a Worlds tournament. They accomplished this by defeating G2 Esports, a team seen as the hope for the West, with a convincing 3-1 series victory.
The highly anticipated matchup began with a game reminiscent of their earlier clash in the Worlds Swiss Stage. In this initial contest, G2 struggled with losing sidelanes and found it difficult to gain traction. Slowly but surely, Top Esports maintained control, leading to G2’s decline.
Translating momentum into the second game, G2’s botlane managed to seize an early advantage. Although Hans Sama and Labrov faced obstacles and almost squandered their lead, Caps and SkewMond showcased their prowess, capitalizing on the mistakes made by Hang’s players. This effort kept G2 in the game for a time, embodying the competitive spirit the team is known for.
Critical moments in games three and four pivoted around the crucial Atakhan objective. In the third match, Hans Sama miscalculated his timing on the Atakhan, leading to a pivotal teamfight loss for G2. The fourth game echoed this sentiment, as Top Esports once again gained the upper hand, ultimately leading to their victory, with JackeyLove remaining unscathed in all three winning games.
Notably, each team played distinct champions throughout the series, with G2 opting for champions like K’Sante and Orianna, while Top Esports fielded powerful picks such as Rumble and Akali. The player ratings reflected the impact players had during the matches, with TES’s 369 earning the Player of the Series title for his impressive performance.
The thrill of victory resonates deeply with Top Esports fans, as the team has faced numerous challenges in past international tournaments. Their success today underscores not just a return to form but also a revitalization for the organization. They demonstrated strategic prowess and an ability to create advantages via superior map movements and macro plays, continuously placing G2 in challenging scenarios throughout the series.
As the team gears up for the semi-finals, they will await the outcome of the match between Anyone’s Legend and T1. Both potential opponents present formidable challenges, with Anyone’s Legend showing promise as one of the strongest representatives in the competition. Whatever the outcome of that match, Top Esports recognizes that they will need to elevate their gameplay further to secure a place in the Grand Finals. Nonetheless, their journey thus far is a testament to their resilience and a bright signal for what lies ahead.