Foreword:

Since TES continuously created "brand-new history" during the international tournament, many esports viewers and overseas streamers mistakenly assumed that all other LPL teams were "weak." Even several foreign hosts predicted that JDG and AL from the LPL would miss the LOL World Cup knockout stage. However, with the EWC group stage fully concluded, all three LPL participating teams advanced to the knockout round. In contrast, the overseas audience had high hopes for G2, LYON, and TSW, but all of them failed to reach the knockout stage.

Because all three LPL teams advanced, many LPL viewers were worried about the possibility of an "LPL civil war" in the EWC knockout stage. However, after the knockout draw, the LPL received an exceptionally favorable draw, with the three teams avoiding intra-regional matchups. BLG will face DK, the weakest LCK team on paper, in the quarterfinals; AL will meet KC from the LEC; and JDG was less fortunate, drawing GEN.

On the other hand, the draw for the four LCK teams in the EWC knockout stage was somewhat awkward. T1 faces a nightmare start, drawing fellow LCK team HLE in the first round, while DK drew BLG, currently the strongest LPL team on paper. After this draw result was announced, many LPL viewers celebrated, as T1 and HLE—both LCK title contenders—meeting in the EWC quarterfinals is certainly good news for LPL teams.

Of course, most viewers believe that T1 will be eliminated by HLE, given the extremely poor form of T1's top laner Doran and mid laner Faker. Doran can be solo-killed even against a Vietnamese team, while Faker often falls behind when facing strong laning opponents. In particular, during the BO1 match between T1 and BLG, Faker was outclassed by four levels against Knight, and even died three times in a row within six minutes during the game.

Many LPL viewers even think that at least two LCK teams will be eliminated in the quarterfinals, since DK's current competitive form makes their chances of beating BLG nearly zero. Some viewers are already looking forward to BLG's Knight "spinning the top" against ShowMaker. Additionally, DK has been embroiled in off-field controversies, such as the management declaring bankruptcy due to poor operations and preparing to auction off the club's slot. Because DK is out of funds, the management has also owed the players one month's salary.

Currently, BLG and HLE are the biggest title contenders at EWC. Personally, I look forward to a final matchup between BLG and HLE, as they are placed in different halves of the bracket. Since this EWC knockout stage uses a single-elimination format, BLG doesn't have to worry about being "tricked" by the rules. Do you think BLG's top laner Bin can prove himself by dominating Zeus in the laning phase, or has Bin already realized his mistakes and decided to help the team build advantages for the sake of winning?

Conclusion

Of course, HLE still needs to play a BO3 against AL to reach the finals. If AL can defeat KC, they will face HLE in the semifinals. AL is widely recognized as the king of BO3s, having never lost a BO3 against LCK teams in their history. Do you think AL can beat HLE? Some viewers previously suggested that if AL's top laner Saint had gone to BLG, BLG would have won the MSI title. Do you think Saint can prove himself against Zeus?