Historic All-LPL Final
On May 21, 2023, the Copper Box Arena in London hosted the final match of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). This year's final was a groundbreaking event, marking the first all-LPL international final in League of Legends history. JD Gaming (JDG) claimed a resounding victory over Bilibili Gaming (BLG), with a final score of 3-1.
JDG's Journey to Victory
JDG began the tournament as the top seed from the LPL, having triumphed in the LPL Spring Split. Their exceptional individual performances, coordinated team fights, and strategic mid-game macros earned them the title of possibly the best League of Legends team worldwide. Their path to the Grand Final was marked by impressive victories over Golden Guardians, Bilibili Gaming, and T1.
BLG's Performance
Despite a promising start and a series of impressive performances, BLG fell short in the final. The team had shown great promise throughout the tournament, with notable victories such as a 3-0 triumph against LCS champions Cloud9. They also defied expectations by defeating the LCK's first and second seeds, GenG and T1, with standout performances from Elk and Xun.
The Final Match
In the final match, JDG started strong with a 13-4 victory in the first map. BLG managed to bounce back in the second map with a 16-11 win, but JDG regained control in the last two maps, winning 12-3 and 11-1 respectively.
Key Players
South Korean ADC, Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk, was a key player for JDG, achieving the best KDA (78/17/65) in the tournament. Also noteworthy were JDG's Knight, Missing, and Kanavi. On BLG's side, Elk and Xun delivered strong performances.
The 2023 MSI was a milestone event in the League of Legends esports scene. The competition showcased the depth of talent in the LPL and further fueled discussions about which region currently holds the top spot in League of Legends.
For more insights into the world of esports, check out our article on the impact of mindset, tilt, and emotional control on player performance here.
