The LCK’s tigers, Genji Esports, have finally established themselves as one of the best teams in the world.
After failing to win an international tournament, the team put an end to criticism that it was a “domestic team” by winning the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). With this win, Genji has now lifted the trophy in both the LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) and MSI in the first half of the year.
On the 19th, Genji won the MSI Finals at the Chengdu Financial City Performing Arts Center in Chengdu, China, with a three-sets-to-1 victory over LPL (China)’s Billabilly Gaming (BLG) on home soil.
With the win, Genji became the undefeated team in the tournament. BLG had brought T1 to its knees on April 18, but they were unable to match the firepower of Genji and crumbled in front of them. Genji caught BLG off guard with their unexpected picks, and their mid and late-game operations and ability to engage in large-scale fights were on a different level than their opponents.
It all started in Game 1 with Kim “Canyon” Gun-boo’s pick for Cassus. BLG had the upper hand in the lane, but Kim “Canyon” Gun-boo’s explosive damage in the mid and late game, combined with his terrifying back lane and large-scale engagements, gave them the upper hand.
The second set was taken by “Godhens” turned “Lihenz” Son Xiu’s blitzcrank, which was assisted by his godlike pick ability. Jenji racked up a MSI-high 56 kills in the set. Kim “Phase” Soo-hwan recorded the most kills in a single set in international competition (28) and a penta-kill.
Genji dropped the third set to BLG’s comeback after a 40-minute battle in the third set, but the team bounced back with an epic fourth set. Genji seemed to capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents in Game 4, taking advantage of Lu ‘On’ Wenjun’s mistakes to tie the game, but BLG’s Feng ‘Xun’ Li-xun’s Baronsteel, a five-on-five, came close to destroying the nexus.
However, Kim “Kiin” Ki-in and Jeong “Chobi” Jung-hoon’s Nexus Mercury and the final Elder Dragon Burst decision saved the day.
Genji’s victory marks the sixth time in seven years and the 토토 first time since T1 in 2017 that a Korean team has lifted the trophy at MSI (the 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
The MSI win was especially significant for ZENGE. This is actually the first international final for the organization, and it’s a win. This year, Genji became the first team to win four consecutive LCK titles, crowned “Emperor” and won an international title under its name, making it the strongest team in the world right now.
Genji’s victory also tied the all-time head-to-head record in the finals between South Korea and China, two of the most fierce rivals in LoL esports, at 5-5. The victory was even more significant as it was the first in an MSI final.