Worlds 2024: Play-Ins Roundup: MDK & GAM Esports Advance

The Play-Ins for Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage is currently happening, and so far two teams have punched their tickets for this year’s tournament. Mad Lions KOI and GAM Esports are the first two teams that have qualified for the Swiss Stage, winning Round 1 and Round 2 this week.

This week’s Play-Ins also saw two LoL teams bow out, with Vikings Esports and SoftBank HAWKS failing to advance from Round 1.

Meanwhile, the remaining teams that are vying for the last two spots are PSG Talon, 100 Thieves, paiN Gaming, and Movistar R7. Here are some highlights of the Play-Ins so far:

Mad Lions KOI is the Third LEC Team in Swiss Stage

Among all the competing teams in the Play-In stage, Mad Lions KOI (MDK) had the home court advantage, since the games are held in Germany, where they have been playing with the other LEC teams during the regular season.

For Round 1, their first opponent in the Play-Ins is Viking Esports (VKE) from Vietnam. Game 1 saw MDK impose their will against VKE, thanks to a huge Jinx game from MDK Supa who had an impressive 7/0/9 KDA and Elyoya’s Nidalee with a 7/2/9 KDA which saw him pull off critical ganks throughout the match.

MDK kept the pressure and came away with the win, with the team netting a 17 / 9 / 49 score against VKE’s 9 / 17 / 13.

Game 2 was more of the same, with MDK Supa going off with his Jinx, and Elyoya providing great jungling. Supa exploded with a huge 13 / 2 / 7 KDA and was complemented with Elyoya’s similar crisp gameplay with 7 / 1 / 15 KDA.

VKE held their own a bit better this time around, with VKE Kati’s Orianna going for a respectable 5 / 5 / 2 KDA. However, MDK was not to be denied, and ended up routing VKE, 2-0, and advancing to Round 2.

Round 2 pitted MDK with PSG Talon from the Asia-Pacific. Game 1 saw MDK Supa continue his hot streak, using Ziggs for a big 9 / 2 / 7 KDA. MDK Alvaro and MDK Elyoya provided great setups for their team to finish off PSG Talon during team fights.

Slowly but surely, MDK pummeled PSG Talon and eventually routed them to take Game 1.

Game 2 had PSG Talon pull off a much needed rebound win against MDK. PSG Talon led the way thanks to PSG Maple’s Ahri gameplay where he logged a 5 / 1 / 6 KDA. Along with the seasoned veteran, PSG Betty’s Miss Fortune made a huge impact on Game 2, ending up with 8 / 3 / 4 KDA and was pivotal in key team fights.

Not to be deterred, MDK ran it back, with MDK Supa utilizing amazing Ezreal gameplay on his way to a big 11 / 2 / 1 KDA. Meanwhile, MDK Elyoya continued his precise jungling and ganking prowess, ending up with 2 / 0 / 11 KDA.

After a 33 minute fight, MDK defeated PSG Talon. This victory secures MDK’s place in the Play In Stage.

GAM Esports’ Perfect Play-Ins Performance Qualifies to the Swiss Stage

GAM Esports is one of the long-standing VCS teams in League, and have been perennial competitors during Worlds. Now in the Play-Ins, GAM Esports is set to continue their appearance at Worlds by qualifying for the Swiss Stage.

Round 1 saw them compete against SoftBank HAWKS (SHG) from Japan. GAM Esports came out of the gate strong, with GAM Levi, the team’s veteran jungler, running a Shyvana to provide constant pressure from the jungle. This pick made dividends, as Levi was essential during team fights and mini skirmishes on his way to a big 8 / 1 / 7 KDA.

GAM Emo and GAM Easylove also rounded up the game, finishing with 4 / 0 / 3 and 4 / 2 / 9 KDAs, respectively. This was enough for GAM Esports to trample SHG.

Game 2 saw much of the same from GAM Esports. Led by GAM Kiaya’s Aurora, the team’s top laner netted a commanding 10 / 2 / 6 KDA, with key picks against SHG during team fights. GAM Easylove’s Jhin also had an impressive showing, with a 9 / 1 / 8 KDA, as GAM Esports stomped SHG on their way to Round 2.

Round 2 saw GAM Esports battle Movistar R7 from Latin America. Game 1 had GAM Emo go off with masterful Yone gameplay on his way to a 5 / 0 / 2 KDA. GAM Esports controlled the pace which included a solid showing from GAM Levi and GAM Kiaya.

Consistent gameplay from GAM Esports was enough for them to fend off Movistar R7’s Keine who had a great Syndra with a 5 / 3 / 5 KDA. GAM Esports’ performance landed them the Game 1 win.

Game 2 saw GAM Esports crank up the pressure against Movistar R7. GAM Levi, Kiaya, and Emo set the tone by getting huge kills during the early to mid game. This gave GAM Esports an insurmountable lead that Movistar R7 wasn’t able to chip away at.

The end of Game 2 had GAM Esports trample Movistar R7 with a lopsided 12 / 1 / 26 Team KDA. With their run complete, GAM Esports finishes Round 2 and qualifies to the Swiss Stage for this year’s Worlds.

GAM Esports was the only team to sweep Round 1 and Round 2 of the Play-Ins.

Which Teams are Left for the Final Two Swiss Stage Spots?

There are still two spots left in the Swiss Stage, and four more teams are still vying for those coveted positions. These teams are PSG Talon, 100 Thieves, paiN Gaming, and Movistar R7.

Movistar R7 will battle paiN Gaming in a best of three series, while 100 Thieves will fight PSG Talon in another best of three series. The winners of the two Bo3 games will acquire the final two spots at the Swiss Stage.