Worlds 2023 Previews: Cloud9

With the Worlds 2023 Main Event set to start tomorrow let’s get to know the LCS representatives a little closer.

Cloud9 Roster

• Top lane: Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami
• Jungle: Robert “Blaber” Huang
• Mid lane: Jang “EMENES” Min-soo
• AD Carry: Kim “Berserker” Min-cheol
• Support: Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen

Cloud9’s journey to Worlds 2023

Spending almost the entirety of the year as “the best team in the region,” and winning the Spring Split, most LCS fans expected Cloud9 to be the best NA team coming into the event. Even after the surprise defeat they were handed by NRG in the Summer Finals, and coming into the event as the 2nd LCS seed, Cloud9 is probably the team with the biggest expectations for North American fans.

Although there are some problems in the org that are generally referred to as the NA’s last hope during international events. First of all, the underwhelming performance of this roster during the MSI 2023 is still fresh in minds. Then of course the Summer Split brought a lot more question marks with it—even though Cloud9 finished second, they were nowhere near as dominant during their games as they usually are.

There is also the offseason drama surrounding the controversial mid laner, EMENES. Since he was promoted to the main LCS team in the middle of the Spring, there were a lot of questions about EMENES and his past actions, mainly his behavior that can be considered toxic and irresponsible. During the break between the Summer and Worlds, EMENES was once again in the limelight in a negative way after an altercation with a streamer during a solo queue game. After a competitive ruling from LCS, a lot of rumors about the future of the Korean mid laner in the league started to surface, which can be a big synergy issue ahead of an important tournament.

Competitive Ruling: Jang "EMENES" Min-soo

Read now at: https://t.co/O4ef8URdQg pic.twitter.com/WL23TWmwz3

— LCS (@LCSOfficial) October 3, 2023

First opponent: Cloud9 vs MAD Lions

Out of all three NA teams, Cloud9 has the most important game during the first round of the Swiss Stage. They are not only playing the easiest opponent—compared to T1 or Weibo—but LCS also really needs this win after the Golden Guardians’ hard loss against BDS in WQS.

On paper, Cloud9 matches up really well against MAD Lions when looking at position by position. Both teams rely heavily on their jungle and ADC positions, and it can be a toss-up in which team has the upper hand. The biggest worry for Cloud9 will probably be how in form Fudge and Zven will be, since they were the weakest links for the team during Summer, and the former had a really bad MSI.

How to watch Worlds 2023

Fans can watch every game of Worlds 2023 on the official LoL Esports website, Riot Games Twitch channel or the LoL Esports Youtube channel. Also for the first time in Worlds history, a number of content creators selected by Riot around the world will be able to costream the event.

For more of our coverage of the Worlds 2023 Play-in Stage and the Main Event, you can follow us on ESTNN.