GEN3-1 eliminates HLE, advancing to the semifinals! Zeus underperforms, and peanut’s final game ends in a disappointing defeat.

In the S15 World Championship quarterfinals BO5 between HLE and GEN, after four hard-fought games, GEN triumphed 3-1 over HLE to secure a spot in the semifinals, sending HLE out of the tournament!

In the first game, GEN’s lineup was Aatrox top, Wukong jungle, Ryze mid, and Ezreal with Neeko bot; HLE ran Rumble top, Sejuani jungle, Taliyah mid, and Corki with Pantheon bot. During the laning phase, HLE repeatedly caught opponents in the top lane, then GEN secured Rift Herald. Later, Canyon’s Wukong initiated a fight, Kiin’s Aatrox cleaned up, GEN scored a 3-for-0 exchange, gaining a 1k gold lead early on.

At 20 minutes in the mid game, after HLE successfully killed Chovy’s Ryze in the top lane, they took the Rift Herald. At 22 minutes, both teams fought for the dragon; although HLE secured it, Duro’s Neeko ult hit four players, and Ruler’s Ezreal scored a triple kill, leading GEN to a 5-for-2 team wipe of HLE. At 25 minutes, HLE initiated Baron and got the first Baron, but GEN responded by killing HLE’s bot lane duo. Later at 32 minutes, during a Baron contest, Zeus’s Rumble made a critical mistake and was instantly killed. GEN then engaged above the pit, winning a 4-for-1 fight and claiming the first game’s victory. Viper’s Corki dealt the highest damage in this game.

In the second game’s laning phase, Zeus’s Anivia made a mistake and was solo killed by Kiin’s Gwen, giving GEN the first blood. Zeus’s Anivia was caught and killed two more times, allowing GEN to secure two dragons early, while HLE took Rift Herald. Both teams’ economies remained roughly equal.

In the mid game, both teams contested Rift Herald; delight was instantly killed, and HLE’s top, jungle, and support were taken down, allowing GEN to secure Rift Herald. At 28 minutes, delight’s Poppy was caught and killed in the jungle. In the ensuing skirmish, although Kiin’s Gwen was sacrificed, GEN traded 3-for-1 and took the first Baron. At 38 minutes, a fierce battle broke out around the Baron pit; HLE executed a perfect disengage, and Viper’s Ziggs ult killed Chovy’s Orianna. After killing GEN’s two main damage dealers, HLE secured their second Baron. At 42 minutes, fighting over the dragon, Viper’s Ziggs ult heavily damaged Chovy’s Orianna, and HLE secured the Cloud Soul, following up by killing two of GEN’s top and support players. At 45 minutes, GEN initiated Baron, but HLE immediately engaged. However, peanut’s Xin Zhao and Zeka’s Kassadin ult combo failed, and Ruler’s Varus survived with low health. GEN counterattacked, winning a 4-for-3 fight and taking the third Baron. At 51 minutes, GEN started the Elder Dragon; HLE rushed to stop them, but Zeka’s Kassadin was caught and killed by a Titanic Hydra Q, allowing GEN to secure both the Elder Dragon and the third Baron.

Finally, at 58 minutes, both teams clashed in the mid lane. Peanut’s Xin Zhao was caught out, and GEN killed three HLE members, securing the second game’s win. Viper’s Ziggs dealt the highest damage in this match.

In the third game, HLE picked Rumble top, Trundle jungle, Yone mid, and Sivir with Rakan bot; GEN chose Sion top, Skarner jungle, Viktor mid, and Kai’Sa with Bard bot. The laning phase saw back-and-forth exchanges. At 15 minutes, both teams fought over Rift Herald; Canyon’s Skarner secured it, but Kiin’s Sion and Duro’s Bard misplayed their ultimates, resulting in Ruler’s Kai’Sa being instantly killed. HLE killed three GEN players and gained a 1k gold lead early.

At 21 minutes in the mid game, Canyon’s Skarner was caught and instantly killed while contesting Rift Herald. HLE capitalized and scored a 4-for-0 exchange, taking Rift Herald. At 27 minutes, HLE used vision control to steal the first Baron. At 29 minutes, HLE started the dragon; GEN tried to contest but was quickly decimated. HLE secured the Elder Dragon and wiped GEN’s team. At 31 minutes, HLE pushed top lane and won a flawless team fight, wiping GEN again and taking the third game’s victory.

In the fourth game, GEN selected Quillfish top, Nidalee jungle, Heimerdinger mid, and Senna with Alistar bot; HLE picked Camille top, Nocturne jungle, Ahri mid, and Swain with Leona bot. During the laning phase, GEN dominated top and mid lanes and secured two dragons, gaining a 2k gold lead early.

In the mid game, HLE attempted to initiate on Chovy’s Heimerdinger, but lacking damage, GEN countered and killed three HLE players, then chased down and wiped HLE, securing Rift Herald. At 24 minutes, GEN took the Elder Dragon. At 27 minutes, GEN started Baron; HLE came to contest but lost their top and support immediately, allowing GEN to secure the first Baron. In the late game at 31 minutes, Zeka’s Ahri was instantly killed in the jungle, Kiin’s Quillfish ulted onto Viper’s Swain, and GEN wiped HLE, winning the match.

So, what are your thoughts on this match? Feel free to share and discuss your opinions in the comments section.