by in
In a stunning turn of events at the League of Legends World Championship 2024, FlyQuest, the first seed from North America’s LCS, pushed South Korean powerhouse Gen.G to their limits in the quarter-finals.
Despite FlyQuest’s heroic efforts, Gen.G emerged victorious in a hard-fought 3-2 series to advance to the semi-finals.
WELCOME TO THE #WORLDS2024 SEMIFINALS, @GENG! pic.twitter.com/klvTNJhX98
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 20, 2024
The series showcased FlyQuest’s resilience and determination, as they challenged one of the tournament favourites in a way no one had anticipated.
FlyQuest entered Worlds 2024 as a young, promising team from a region with a history of underperformance on the international stage.
Gen.G, on the other hand, came in as one of the top contenders, fresh off a Mid-Season Invitational victory and a dominant performance in the LCK.
Many expected Gen.G to breeze through the quarter-finals, but FlyQuest had other plans.
The North American squad took the first game of the series, catching Gen.G off guard with bold strategies and confident play.
FlyQuest’s unexpected dominance shocked fans and analysts alike, signalling that this would not be the easy win Gen.G had anticipated.
Gen.G quickly answered back in game two, with a pivotal Kassadin pick for Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon in the mid-lane, showcasing their depth and versatility to even the series.
In game three, FlyQuest once again defied expectations.
Incredible individual performances from Fahad “Massu” Abdulmalek and Song “Quad” Soo-hyung led the team to a crucial victory, putting FlyQuest just one game away from a historic semi-final berth.
However, Gen.G’s Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu delivered a stellar game four on Nidalee—where he boasts an 82.22% career win rate—leading his team to a dominant victory and forcing a decisive fifth game.
With the tension at its peak, the teams prepared for the final showdown.
FlyQuest brought out a creative composition featuring Sett in the top lane and Fiddlesticks in the jungle, seeking to surprise their opponents one last time.
Despite their valiant efforts, Gen.G’s methodical gameplay gradually took control, securing the win and advancing to face long-time LCK rivals T1 in the semi-finals.
Left it all on the Rift 💔 pic.twitter.com/BBteqk7jXU
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 20, 2024
FlyQuest’s inspiring performance was more than just a near-upset; it was a statement for Western League of Legends.
Their two wins in the knockout stage marked the first time since 2020 that a Western team secured a game in this phase of Worlds, and they did so against the tournament’s presumed best.
Throughout the series, FlyQuest introduced four new champion picks to the tournament—Seraphine, Kassadin, Sett, and Fiddlesticks—demonstrating creativity and a fearless approach.
While Gen.G continues their journey towards the Summoner’s Cup, FlyQuest exits Worlds 2024 with heads held high, finishing in fifth-eighth place and earning $100,125 in prize money.
Their valiant run, despite falling short, may well be remembered as a last great effort from the LCS, especially as the league faces a potential overhaul in the coming year.
As FlyQuest bows out, they leave behind a legacy that inspires Western teams to aim higher and push the boundaries at future international events.
Gen.G’s survival ensures their bid for the title remains alive, but the North American underdogs have shown that even giants can bleed.
LoL Worlds 2024 semi-final fixtures
- Weibo Gaming (+333) vs Bilibli Gaming (-500) | October 26 @ 2pm CEST
- T1 (+120) vs Gen.G (-163.93) | October 27 @ 2pm CET
