The quest for the elusive Golden Road remains unachieved, as Gen.G fell to Hanwha Life in a stunning upset during the LCK 2024 Summer Finals.
Despite being heavy favorites, Gen.G’s defeat dashed their hopes of completing a perfect season, adding them to the growing list of teams that failed to conquer this nearly impossible feat in League of Legends.
What Is the Golden Road?
The Golden Road refers to the ultimate goal in competitive League of Legends: winning all major titles in a single season. This includes securing both the Spring and Summer Splits of the regional league, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and the World Championship. It’s a feat no team has managed to achieve, despite many coming close over the years.
For Gen.G, 2024 seemed like the year they could finally reach this milestone, thanks to their star-studded roster and dominant performance throughout the season.
Gen.G’s Dominance and Shocking Fall
Gen.G entered the year with high expectations, boasting a “super team” lineup featuring Chovy, Canyon, Kiin, Lehends, and Peyz. Their Spring Split win in the LCK and a triumphant run at the MSI fueled the belief that they were destined for the Golden Road. All that remained was a Summer Split victory and a strong showing at Worlds.
However, Hanwha Life had other plans. In an unexpected turn of events, they defeated Gen.G in the Summer Finals, ending their reign and halting their march towards a perfect year. Gen.G, who seemed unstoppable, now faces the reality of missed opportunities and shattered ambitions.
Teams That Have Come Close
Many powerhouse teams in League of Legends history have pursued the Golden Road, but none have succeeded. Here’s a look at some of the most notable near-misses:
- SK Telecom T1 (2015 and 2016): SKT won both LCK splits and Worlds in 2015 but lost the MSI to EDG. In 2016, they claimed the MSI and Worlds titles but fell in the LCK Summer semifinals.
- Royal Never Give Up (2018): RNG dominated the LPL and won MSI, but their Golden Road dreams were crushed by G2 in the Worlds quarterfinals.
- G2 Esports (2019): After derailing RNG’s ambitions in 2018, G2 came closest to achieving the Golden Road, winning the LEC and MSI before losing to FunPlus Phoenix in the Worlds final.
- JD Gaming (2023): With a roster stacked with talent, JDG won the LPL and MSI, only to fall to T1 in the Worlds semifinals.
Key Factors in Gen.G’s Defeat
- Unexpected Pressure from Hanwha Life: Hanwha Life surprised many with their aggressive playstyle, catching Gen.G off guard.
- Underperformance from Key Players: Star players like Chovy and Peyz couldn’t find their rhythm, leaving Gen.G vulnerable in critical moments.
- Draft Disadvantages: Hanwha Life’s superior drafting, especially in late-game compositions, gave them the edge over Gen.G in crucial matches.
Conclusion
Gen.G’s fall in the LCK 2024 Summer Finals marks another missed opportunity for a team to complete the Golden Road, an achievement that still eludes even the greatest teams in League of Legends.
While Gen.G will now focus on the upcoming Worlds, their hopes of making history this season are over, and fans will have to wait longer for a team to accomplish the perfect season.
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