The League of Legends 2019 World Championship knock-out stage continues on, now finding its third semi-finalist. The first match of the day saw LCK top seed SK Telecom T1 face off against Splyce, the LEC’s third seed. After four games, the Korean squad advanced to the semi-finals.
Many came into this game with high expectations for SK Telecom T1, with most analysts predicting a 3-0 victory for the Korean side. Game one started out as expected, as SKT top laner Kim "Khan" Dong-ha claimed two quick kills on Lucian. Splyce climbed back into the fight, matching SKT’s destruction of two enemy turrets. The game remained close, only turning when star mid laner Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok took two kills as SKT took down the Baron. Splyce couldn’t keep up as two massive team fights went SKT’s way, and the Korean squad closed out the game at twenty-nine minutes.
Game two brought more heat as each team traded two kills in the first four minutes. Splyce maintained a minor lead, though the momentum swayed in SKT's direction as they took down three enemy turrets by eighteen minutes. Splyce looked out-classed as SKT came out on top of another team fight. Khan and AD carry Park "Teddy" Jin-seong pushed their team to victory, claiming a collective nine kills as SKT looked to close out the game. A final three kills from jungler Kim "Clid" Tae-min meant the Korean squad stood up eighteen kills to Splyce’s seven as the game ended at twenty-seven minutes.
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Splyce kicked off game three with an early kill lead. The gold lead moved back-and-forth, finally settling on SKT after Teddy’s triple kill allowed them their first dragon of the game. Looking to gain an advantage, Splyce pushed for the Baron. The team fight came to fruition, with Splyce jungler Andrei "Xerxe" Dragomir securing two out of the squad’s five kills. With the Baron in play, Splyce took immediate control of the game. Another Baron and another double kill from Xerxe gave the European side the space they needed to put up their first win of the series.
Game four started out close, the kills remaining even as Splyce took over the gold lead at ten minutes. The kills tied up at five as Splyce AD carry Kasper "Kobbe" Kobberup secured two of his own. SKT took control of the gold as they took down their second enemy turret at twenty minutes. Splyce continued to struggle as the gold deficit grew larger, and the Korean side pushed forward. With a 7k gold lead, SK Telecom T1 ended the match at thirty-one minutes. With a final series score of 3-1, SKT locked in their semi-final spot.
The League of Legends 2019 World Championship semi-finals are set to begin on November 2nd, where SK Telecom T1 will play the winner of G2 and DAMWON Gaming.