League of Legends 2019 World Finals Was Rather Underwhelming

This past weekend, the League of Legends 2019 World Finals came to a close as teams FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), a Chinese professional esports organization owned by video game developer FunPlus, and G2 Esports (G2), a Spanish esports organization based in Berlin, Germany, took to the champion stage in Paris to compete for the title in the Worlds Championship 2019 after several weeks of competing games between dozens on teams around the world.

Who was victorious?

League of Legends (abbreviated LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena video game developed and published by Riot Games. In LoL, players assume the role of a “summoner” that controls a “champion” with unique abilities and battle against a team of other players to destroy their base. Each LoL match begins with all champions starting off relatively weak, progressing their power and items and increasing strength throughout the course of the game. Strategy and skill are key in this high paced game and players spend many years honing in on their craft with precision and practice.

The finals in Paris showcased much hype over the last week as both teams previously claimed victory over fan favorite teams SK Telecom T1 (SKT) and Invictus Gaming (IG) in the semifinals. One team hails from Asia as the other rises from Europe, the whole world of League came together to watch the final match in anticipation for an outstanding battle between the two underdogs. Throughout last week, the teams readied their skills for the big day.

Palms a little sweaty and throats a little dry, each team takes their position on the stage, with keyboards and mouses ready, headsets on, and player accounts activated. Best out of 5 games would crown the victor.

While many believed G2 to be a strong contender, and indeed they showed their talents in their semifinals against SKT, the team is no match for the dominating force that is the rising phoenix of FPX. While, the first game lasts almost 40 minutes, it's clear that FPX would come on top. The second game is much shorter, only lasting 25 minutes, as FPX claim victory again. FPX conquer each one with precision hits and exceptional team-plays. With kill wins of 22 vs 7 and 20 vs 4 for the first two matches going to FPX, G2 would need a miracle to win themselves the crown. The crowd awaiting the next game to see if G2 could capture the next 3 games for a victory.

FPX know how to take objectives and succeed in big gold leads in every match, as established in the first two matches. Their objective slashing skills on full display and G2 couldn’t stop them from taking over the entire map. In fact, each match, the G2 members seem to flounder around in desperation to stop the FPX tidal wave. Even on the video screens, the anixety was clear to see on the G2 members' faces as the final match comes to a close. Some grin with grimace, while others shake their heads. FPX showcase their ultimate domination of team fights and collecting objectives across the map once again.

A clean sweep.

As the third game ends, the members of FPX stand up and hug each other as the crowd goes wild with a victory cheer. A well fought victory for the team and their joy erupts on their faces.

Many fans seem rather disappointed in the overall final games of the World Championship this year. Some even calling it “completely uneventful” and “anti-climactic”. From the first five minutes of each game, it was clear who the victors were going to be. With the flimsy G2 performance, FPX barely had to try to cause utter annihilation of their opponents.

FPX are now the World Champions of League of Legends 2019.

A special shoutout to FPX player, Tian, whose control of the map and domination in active plays helped his team achieve victory. That boy was everywhere and G2 couldn’t stop him. One of the players from FPX, gamer nicknamed LWX, who didn’t even die throughout the entire 3 game final, was quoted as saying after the match; “I think we didn’t perform very well, it’s just that G2 didn't really perform.”

Ouch.

It’s a tough blow for G2. But, surely they’ll brush off their keyboards and bounce back for next year to continue their goals of glory.

Congratulations to FunPlus Phoenix on their knockout victory. Can’t wait to see the new skins for their characters in the store.

League of Legends is free to play for all on the pc.