PSG Talon and Team Whales are the first two teams fighting in the Worlds 2023 qualification match. How did they get there? And what are their chances of advancing? Let’s find out.
Credit: LoL Esports
Worlds Qualification Match – One expected, one surprise
PSG Talon – the best-performing team in play-ins
PSG Talon was among the favorites to go through the play-in stage and after their performances, we can say that they rightfully deserved it. Strong meta read, consistent performances by all of their players, and a clear idea of what they want to do in every single game.
While there have been some hiccups here and there, the team always knew how to make up for their mistakes and put themselves in a commanding position. Compared to most of the play-in teams, the great thing about PSG is their willingness to give their top laner Azhi more damage-oriented picks, putting more lane pressure. This, in turn, allows the team to have a flexible identity, as jungler Junjia can essentially play around whoever he wants depending on what draft they want to go for.
They still haven’t lost a game yet, beating 2-0 both Movistar R7 (who are already eliminated) and LOUD. The real test for PSG will come in the qualification match, as they will go up against one between CTBC Flying Oyster and Team BDS. Regardless of who advances, it will be a much harder series. CFO already took PSG to 5 games in the PCS finals, and BDS is still looking strong after their convincing series against DFM.
In particular, BDS can be tough to deal with since Azhi will have to face Adam, who clearly is the key member of the LEC team right now. Adam either draws the attention of the enemy team, giving his own team more freedom elsewhere on the map, or he just dominates the lane opponent. Regardless of that, he will be a pain in the neck for PSG.
Among the two, PSG Talon would probably prefer going up against CFO, considering they are a team that they know really well. If Team BDS were to go through, then it would be a 50-50 for both teams, and it will depend on whoever shows up better on the day.
Read also: LoL Worlds 2023 Power Rankings
Team Whales – the reverse sweep master
Team Whales are the dark horses of this play-in stage. Coming in as the #2 seed from the VCS, no one was expecting them to make it all the way to the qualification match, especially considering how GAM struggled in the first round.
Yet, they managed to make the upset happen against Team BDS, then did the same thing against CTBC Flying Oyster. While they are not the cleanest team at this stage, especially when it comes to the early game, TW make it up by thriving in the mid-game and the teamfights.
One thing is certain, though: if they get a lead in the first minutes of the game, it becomes super hard for any opponent to make a comeback. They play slow and steady, slowly building a big enough gap to close the game. TW also recently added former LPL jungler SofM as their coach: it looks like it’s having a fantastic effect on the team.
Going into the next match, they will face LOUD or GAM (depending on who advances). Whoever goes through, however, will likely end up losing to TW. It’s not going to be a super one-sided series, but it will definitely be in their favor. No matter what happens, TW have already proved themselves at Worlds 2023 and they will be a team to watch out for in the next tournaments if they stick with the same roster.
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