Team preview ahead of Worlds 2023: Lessons learned and prepared. Samurai from DetonatioN FocusMe will try to repeat their historic success

With the entry of the teams from Group B, we are left with three teams we haven’t talked about in our preview. We’ll start now with the LJL champions.

Japan’s DetonatioN FocusMe are, like many of the participants in the Play-in Phase, the clear kings of their region. DFM added their 16th title this summer, and by that metric they are the most successful team on the planet within the league scene.

Yet DFM’s dominance, which was unshakable with really big exceptions, has almost come to an end. SoftBank HAWKS players have made a significant impact in the fight for the Japanese title. A unit combining the emerging Japanese talent generation with Korean veterans had troubled the LJL hegemon for so long.

Their playoff battles against each other have always ended in a five-game series. However, to the misfortune of the newcomer DFM, they have defended their position as Japan’s number one team and will once again make their appearance at Worlds.

Team changes and unclear path

DFM have a lot to fix after their last international appearance at MSI. Although the team gambled on youngster tol2 to gradually fill the hole at the top after Evi’s departure to LEC. Unfortunately, pressure on the players and problems within the organization caused the promising reinforcement to leave the team. So DFM had to look for a replacement very quickly, which they found in apaMEN.

Unfortunately, the new reinforcement is not yet fully compatible with the team and therefore a certain reshuffle had to take place. The veteran Yutapon, who played perhaps all positions, moved to the top and was supposed to be in the role of mentor and especially a kind of security in key matches if needed.

Both top players are on the team’s roster for Worlds, but it’s to be expected that the Japanese legend will take the role in the starting lineup at the top position.

However, the Japanese champions will look to rebuild on the 2021 edition when the team sensationally advanced to the elite Worlds competition. With a strong Korean core in the form of Steal, Aria and Harp, any further success might not be accidental.

Although DFM play in a paper-light group, the team can be expected to fight for second place and challenge the winner of Group A. This is due to the fact that the winner of WQS (BDS) is in their group and it would have to be a big surprise for DFM’s chances of advancing to increase.

Still, the team is certainly not without a chance, current form and preparation will be crucial. The team will start their journey against Taiwanese duo Flying Oysters and we will see how strong the Samurai will be in the tournament.

Source: Leaguepedia