The 2023 Worlds Championship bore witness to a historical upset as Team Whales defeated LEC’s fourth seed team, Team BDS. In what is being considered as a massive win for their region, the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS), Team Whales' victory has paved the way for a new trajectory in the world of esports.
Overcoming a loss in the initial 24-minute match, Team Whales displayed an impressive comeback spirit. In what started as a lopsided game, they swiftly shifted the odds into their favor subsequently triumphing over Team BDS in a 2-1 win. Notably, this blew a significant blow to Team BDS’ pristine record, as it was their first defeat at the hands of a major region team.
The impact of this defeat is further underscored by the fact that just two days prior, Team BDS had effortlessly swept the League Championship Series’ Golden Guardians team in a clean 3-0 match. This victory had securely established their seeming invincibility, which was decidedly shattered by Team Whales’ unexpected upset.
Team Whales earned the distinction of being the first secondary seed team from VCS to win a Worlds series. They achieved this remarkable feat in spite of the previous two matches ending in defeat. This is a milestone achievement, considering that VCS only began sending two teams to the Worlds series in 2019.
The first instance was back in 2019 when Lowkey Esports, the second seed from VCS, faced DAMWON gaming in the second phase of the Play-In, only to be defeated. Subsequently, in 2022, Saigon Buffalo suffered a similar fate at the hands of MAD Lions, during the same stage of Worlds. It is notable that VCS teams weren’t attending the Worlds series in the 2020 and 2021 iteration, due to travel restrictions.
Following the win, Team Whales publicly expressed their exuberance through social media, sharing their victorious sentiment with their avid followers. The celebratory Tweet encapsulated the team’s euphoria at pulling off the stunning upset, marking their win in esports history.
Team Whales is already being hailed as one of the feel-good stories of Worlds 2023. Despite being a relatively new entrant in the international scene, the team is forcefully carving a niche for itself. Team Whales had entered the VCS scene in the Summer of 2022, by acquiring the league slot of Luxury Esports.
After wrapping up the 2023 Spring split in the fourth place, Team Whales cemented their formidable presence by managing a runner-up place in the Summer split. This was accomplished via a thrilling lower bracket run which included back-to-back five-game series against Saigon Buffalo and Team Secret.
Sadly, Saigon Buffalo, following the intense face-off, announced last month that they decided to put their VCS slot up for sale due to financial reasons. This announcement has further emphasized the accomplishments of Team Whales by highlighting the challenges faced within the competitive esports arena.
In the midst of celebrating their landmark victory, Team Whales remained aware of the demanding journey ahead. Resting on laurels is not an option in the dynamic world of esports, and the team is already gearing up for the upcoming matches at Worlds 2023.
With the crucial games looming ahead, Team Whales is slated to return to the Rift on Wednesday to face PCS’ CTBC Flying Oyster. The latter team had previously secured a 2-0 victory against DetonatioN FocusMe, further heightening the anticipation for the upcoming encounter.
Meanwhile, Team BDS will have a day’s break before they are scheduled to play against DFM in a match with high stakes. This do-or-die elimination series adds another layer of tension and excitement to the Worlds 2023 battles.
In the grand scheme of the Worlds series, Team Whales' historic upset poses compelling implications. It not only establishes VCS as an emerging force to reckon with but also serves as an inspiration for other esports teams and players from around the globe.
Lastly, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming matches, Team Whales indeed has imprinted their mark in the competitive field of the global gaming scene. Their achievement has reframed the perspective on what secondary seed teams can accomplish, proving the age-old adage 'Never underestimate the underdog'.