The world of esports is eagerly awaiting one of the hottest matches of this year's League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2024). In the quarterfinals, two powerhouse teams will face off — Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) and Bilibili Gaming (BLG). This matchup is not just a game; it's a clash of two different styles, philosophies, and approaches to gameplay. Let's break down the key points of this match, conduct an analysis, and try to predict the winner.

Team Status Before the Game

Hanwha Life Esports sailed through the play-in stage without major issues and appear to be one of the most dangerous Korean teams. Despite some early challenges in the tournament, HLE managed to stabilize their play and enter the playoffs in good form. Their aggressive macro play, ability to adapt quickly to situations, and utilization of strong side lanes set them apart from their opponents.

On the other hand, Bilibili Gaming is also not lagging behind, although they had minor setbacks during the group stage. BLG are known for their stability and calculated approach to each game. Their talent for making the right decisions at crucial moments is one of the team's strongest points. The Chinese players show excellent synergy and are not afraid to take risks when necessary.

Key Players

HLE: A Star Named Viper

One of the brightest spots in Hanwha Life's game is their ADC—Viper, one of the best marksmen in the world. His games on Jhin, Kai'Sa, and Ezreal have demonstrated a high level of micro-management and positioning. If HLE provides him with the proper support during the game, he can elevate his team to a new level.

BLG: Elk — The Main Threat

BLG's main asset is their ADC—Elk. He has repeatedly proven that he can single-handedly "carry" games in the later phases thanks to his excellent farming and team play. If Elk can avoid early pressure from HLE and gather enough resources to develop, he will become a serious threat in the late game.

Macro Play and Tactical Aspects

HLE build their game around map control and constant pressure on their opponent through strong side lanes. This allows them to dominate the map and look for favorable skirmishes at objectives—whether it's dragons or Baron.

BLG, in contrast, prefer a more cautious strategy that is based on smart fight selection and focusing on protecting the team's weak spots. They try to avoid mistakes in the early game and wait for their time in the later phase, where their discipline and synergy fully show their strength.

Meta and Pick/Bans

This year's championship meta is characterized by diversity in champions. Currently, champions like Rell, Jax, Gnar, and Skarner are very popular, but pick/bans for ADC will play a key role in this match. Both teams rely on their marksmen, so the choice of champions for this position will be decisive. The question is who will provide better support for their ADC — BLG or HLE?

Hanwha Life might attempt to ban champions like Jhin or Kai'Sa to deprive Elk of his comfortable picks. Meanwhile, Bilibili Gaming will most likely want to restrict Viper's champion pool by banning Kai'Sa and Varus.

Prediction

This match is hard to predict as both teams have their strengths. BLG appear better in terms of discipline and late game, but HLE have a more aggressive style that could force the Chinese team into early game mistakes.

If HLE can seize a macro advantage in the early stages, they might pin down BLG and prevent them from reaching the late game where Elk can fully shine. However, if the game reaches a late phase, the Chinese team will have every chance to win.

Our prediction: BLG 3-2 HLE

This match promises to be one of the most exciting in the playoffs, with many unpredictable moments and intrigue until the very end. Both teams deserve a spot in the semifinals, but only one will advance. The question is who will handle the pressure better on the Worlds 2024 stage.

Don't miss this epic showdown!