MOBAFire EMEA Fantasy Tournament - Season...

[quote=Silverman43][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/5fBsKg6.png][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Introduction[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] Hello everyone, welcome to Montpellier! One more week of LEC awaits, and we can't be more excited for the finals in a stadium! Likewise only 2 series are left to decide the winner of our Fantasy Tournament! So let's get you caught up with last weekend's action and what to look out for coming weekend. [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Fantasy Leaderboards[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][img=https://i.imgur.com/1ZPTpmT.png][/center] This week's top manager is Slava! Last week they were in 6th place, but top performers like G2's Hans Sama and Mikyx alongside FNC's Humanoid and Oscarinin/Wunder gave them an edge over the competition. Shout-out to runner up SzatmaryM as well, climbing up from 5th place last week. Overall the field remains very close, heading into the final weekend everything is still up for grabs! [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Top Player In Each Role During The Past Weekend[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][columns][table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]TOP LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/5/5b/FNC_Wunder_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#fe5900][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Wunder[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Fnatic[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]10.6 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/tSXz5QB.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]JUNGLE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/4/40/FNC_Razork_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#fe5900][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Razork[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Fnatic[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]9.6 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/aQyqQwd.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]MID LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/8/87/FNC_Humanoid_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#fe5900][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Humanoid[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Fnatic[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]10.3 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]BOT LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/9/9c/KT_Noah_2021_Split_2.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#fe5900][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Noah[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Fnatic[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]10.5 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/XsdpYZL.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]SUPPORT[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/8/8c/KOI_Trymbi_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#fe5900][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Trymbi[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Fnatic[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]8.1 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/columns][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Top Player In Each Role Overall[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][columns] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0075" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]TOP LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/0/07/BDS_Adam_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0075][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Adam[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/HGEgWOm.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Team BDS[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]26.6 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0075" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/tSXz5QB.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]JUNGLE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/d/d7/BDS_Sheo_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0075][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Sheo[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/HGEgWOm.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Team BDS[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]23 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0075" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/aQyqQwd.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]MID LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/b/ba/BDS_nuc_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0075][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]nuc[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/HGEgWOm.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Team BDS[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]25 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0075" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]BOT LANE[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/e/ee/BDS_Crownie_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0075][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Crownie[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/HGEgWOm.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Team BDS[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]29.8 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0075" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/XsdpYZL.png width=20][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=4][b][color=#ffffff]SUPPORT[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=10][td][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/5/53/BDS_Labrov_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0075][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Labrov[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/HGEgWOm.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]Team BDS[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]20.6 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/columns][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Current Tournament Bracket Overview[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][img=https://i.imgur.com/0hKG1fS.png][/center] [size=2]Source: @LEC on Twitter, 2023 LEC Season Finals Bracket, 3/9/2023, https://twitter.com/LEC/status/1698416213716619655?s=20[/size] [spoiler=read more][columns][nextcol width=20][nextcol]We're nearing the end of 2023 LEC! Tickets to Worlds have been distributed and only 3 teams remain in the running to become our champions. After the early exit of SK and XL, G2, MAD, FNC and BDS secured a top 4 spot. Fnatic won the 5-game thriller against BDS to advance to Montpellier next week, and lock Worlds Swiss-stage. BDS' LEC season is over, but they will face North America's Golden Guardians for a spot at Worlds play-ins. Favourites G2 took down MAD in the upper bracket finals and will wait for either MAD or Fnatic in the grand finals on Sunday. [nextcol width=20][/columns][/spoiler] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Saturday Recap: Team BDS vs Fnatic[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game One[/b][/size][/center] Unfortunately for Fnatic, Oscarinin suffered a hand injury during last week. The Spanish toplaner managed to play through the series vs XL, but shortly after it was announced he would be undergoing surgery soon. Enter Wunder, back in black and orange to sub in for Oscar. The LEC legend hadn't played professionally since Winter this year, but with his experience he'd be a great replacement all things considered for the important series against BDS. Winner goes on to Montpellier and directly goes to the Worlds main stage. Loser will face Golden Guardians for a final chance at Worlds. Both teams came out cooking right away. Fnatic tried their hand at [[karthus]] jungle as a counter into [[ivern]]. Meanwhile BDS went for G2's proven recipe of [[kog'maw]] + [[braum]] botlane. Crownie and Labrov quickly seized the advantage with an important early kill to secure botlane control. And with the slowly scaling [[karthus]], Team BDS could play for drakes like usual. Fnatic found some relief by picking off Labrov twice in quick succession and a Rift Herald on top, but little did it matter. BDS was first to the 3rd dragon so Fnatic could not freely walk into the [[kog'maw]] and [[leblanc]]. At 20 minutes BDS was already on the verge of an Ocean soul. Noah got quite fed of his own, but in 5v5 BDS' comp with [[ivern]] and [[braum]] to peel for Crownie made it near impossible for Fnatic to win any straight on fight. Baron to the side of BDS and their gold lead quickly grew to 10k. Game over for Fnatic, the [[karthus]] pick did not work out.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ibl2XRtSUY][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Two[/b][/size][/center] Surprisingly Fnatic opted into [[karthus]] for Razork again. But this time with 2 strong early AD sololaners on his side, the pick looked much better right off the bat. Razork quickly outfarmed Sheo while also getting a decent amount of early action in. On the back of their jungler, Fnatic started gaining leads all over the map. This time it was Fnatic at soul-point at only 18 minutes. Just 5 minutes later the Ocean soul was secured alongside a Baron, while Trymbi tidily kept Sheo away from the pit. Just complete domination by Fnatic, who bounced back wonderfully from the crushing game 1 defeat to defeat BDS in 26 min game 2.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCLOfvUBCJ8][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Three[/b][/size][/center] A more even game this time around after 2 stomps. Noah and Trymbi fought a solid 2v2 botlane to get the [[ezreal]] a couple kills under his belt. BDS focused Wunder in return to get Adam's [[darius]] a comfortable lead. Fnatic could stack the first few drakes on the back of their winning botlane, but once Adam started roaming down the momentum suddenly shifted. BDS won the straight up teamfights and felt strong enough to start up the Baron at 21 minutes. The whole of Fnatic was quick to respond however and Razork succesfully joined the pit to steal away the objective from under BDS' noses. Now with gold roughly evened out, the 4th drake was spawning while Fnatic stood at soul-point. Sheo's smite was good this time around, but Trymbi and Wunder found the enemy backline and deleted Crownie, after which the rest of BDS got demolished in his wake. After Baron buffs ran out, BDS recollected themselves and found a good 5v5. Razork and Trymbi died, but BDS had burnt a lot of resources doing so. The rest of Fnatic smelled blood and gave BDS a chase. Sheo and Labrov fell as well to make it an even trade in the end. Noah took extra advantage from the chaos by securing the Chemtech soul on his own. Now with a permanent buff on their side, Fnatic convincingly won a teamfight against BDS to get a free Baron. They took their time then to cleanly push out lanes and bleed BDS dry. A final stand was to no avail as neither Humanoid nor Noah could really be threatened.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4s4TlO65B8][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Four[/b][/size][/center] After the chaotic game 3 we got a slower one now. The early game mainly revolved around botlane, a couple kills were traded over with Noah being the biggest benefactor. Fnatic secured the first 2 drakes on the back of it. But at 15 minutes BDS landed a massive wombo combo after a beautiful engage by Labrov. 3 kills, a Herald and a dragon all went over to Team BDS. Despite being at match point BDS refound their confidence. They carefully kept the game at their preferred slow pace and struck at 30 minutes. An intense exchange looked to go in their favour, but Fnatic played a clutch fight and so gold remained very close to each other. Still BDS leveraged the fact that both FNC's carries had died and started up the Baron. Adam handily kept Fnatic away from the pit in what became an easy secure of the objective. BDS then overstayed a little, but to no big consequences. They still were on time to secure their Hextech soul and wipe the flour with Fnatic in the ensuing brawl. Cue Silver Scrapes, one more game to decide who goes to Montpellier.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuvGuj0olWI][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Five[/b][/size][/center] Tense game from both sides understandably. BDS had the best early game, nuc was earlier to the first drake which cost Fnatic the objective and 2 kills. A bit later it appeared that Fnatic wasn't willing to contest the next dragon, but as nuc teleported away in plain sight, Fnatic engaged without hesitation. Initially they found only one kill, but Crownie made a big mistake and forfeited his life as well. Drakes in favour of BDS, Fnatic with a small gold lead. Basically all action revolved around the dragon pit. Fnatic had the better setup but Sheo stole the dragon away, and a fight on a knife's edge ensuied. Only a 2 for 2 in the end so BDS could be quite happy. 4th drake coming up then, Sheo landed the engage but Fnatic's [[xayah]] and [[ivern]] could kite back for days. Fnatic survived the initial onslaught and fought back violently. Crownie got caught at the worst time again and Fnatic finally put an end to BDS' dragon stacking, alongside picking up the Baron. Fnatic ran away with the lead, though BDS held on tight. Another drake coming up then, one last brawl to decide over the series. Another engage from BDS came in, but they couldn't put much more than a dent in Fnatic. The latter turned away from the objective to just directly end BDS once and for all, and after a nail-biting split-up fight Fnatic marched down the enemy base. BDS members were starting to respawn, but Fnatic wanted to end it there and then and bruteforced their way to Montpellier! [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ShsqCcI7ko][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Sunday Recap: G2 Esports vs MAD Lions[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game One[/b][/size][/center] Upper bracket finals, winner goes directly into the Grand Finals. Despite MAD's good performance against XL earlier, G2 came in as the heavy favourite. Mikyx just received the well-earned MVP award of 2023, and his team put their trust in him once again. [[lissandra]] support locked in for G2, as to make the game unplayable for Hylissang's [[rakan]]. Still the game became more of a toplane show. BrokenBlade had a field day on [[k'sante]], first with a solo kill on Chasy, then he turned a gank around, [b]twice[/b]. This allowed G2 to put all their efforts towards the botside. By 10 minutes the G2 botlane could 2v3 and get away with it. Things were going from bad to worse for MAD. At 15 minutes G2 was almost 10k gold up already. A desperation Baron from MAD then, but the idea was badly calculated. G2 simply marched down their opponent's base. Recalls and teleports coming in from the side of MAD could barely even delay the inevitable. G2 needed less than 21 minutes to wipe the floor with MAD in game 1.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amoCo1ttV6U][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Two[/b][/size][/center] Imagine overcooking, couldn't ever be G2 right? Though honestly Yike has to be commended for daring to pick [[fiddlesticks]] when the champion has been very strong in soloqueue for years. It even looked effective in the beginning. 2 kills botlane for G2. But a rather unfortunate game from Caps this time. Nisqy solo killed him, then Caps died again 2 minutes later right after teleporting back in. Yike tried to salvage the play but whiffed his ult and dropped as well. MAD's topside suddenly became very strong. MAD ran away with the lead, led by Nisqy who landed quite a few great [[emperor's divide]]'s. None of G2's carries had enough carries to pose a real threat, and so we got another stomp similar to game 1, this time for MAD who tied up the series. [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ebbc4e][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liCt2in4AK0][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ebbc4e][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Three[/b][/size][/center] Seems as if every game needs at least one spicy pick. BrokenBlade locked in [[swain]] top while Hylissang pulled out [[zilean]] support. Both picks defined the game in one way or another. Both botlanes kept diving each other, though not much of it really worked out. Just a very messy early game from both sides. While 4v4's were going at it down the botlane, BB got a solokill onto Chasy. [[swain]] does indeed work apparently. Meanwhile MAD had actually gotten the most out of the botlane shenanigans, as both Carzzy and Nisqy had acquired significant leads. Though MAD overestimated their own abilities. Once BrokenBlade came into play, MAD couldn't burst through the G2 frontline. At 20 minutes gold was almost even. MAD found a good angle into a 5v5, but when the fight appeared won, BB turned the teamfight around almost single-handedly. A few minutes later history repeated itself. BB caught Carzzy, G2 won the fight and secured a Baron. From then on it was smooth sailing for G2. Their double marksmen comp had truly scaled and with the unkillable [[swain]] to control the teamfights, the game was over. 2-1 matchpoint for G2 after a bloody game.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBpFwttO1mA][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size][nextcol width=10][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Four[/b][/size][/center] Another exotic toplane pick with [[yone]] for BrokenBlade. Meanwhile MAD opted into [[nilah]] for Carzzy in what could've been the final game. It was G2 who took the best start, Yike being proactive early on and giving his team 2 kills. MAD made up for it through 3 kills at the first drake fight though. Throughout the game it was mostly MAD getting the picks, but G2 kept the gold even at all times. MAD felt a false sense of security and sought a fight around the Baron, but G2 drove them into a chokepoint then demolished them with a massive [[fate sealed]] and [[glacial fissure]]. G2 didn't lose a single member in the process and immediately turned towards the Baron. With the objective they could finally deepen out a gold lead of their own. MAD desperately tried to find a winning fight, and thought they had found it down the botside. But in fact it served as a distraction for Caps and Yike to crack open MAD's base with only Nisqy to defend. When BB teleported in moments later, MAD's fate was literally sealed. G2 advances to the grand finals! MAD will have another chance in the lower bracket against Fnatic.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFw_PPRfJo][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Week 2 Preview[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]MAD Lions versus Fnatic[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [columns][nextcol width=75][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png width=240] [size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size] [img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png width=240][/center][nextcol width=30][nextcol]Last times MAD and Fnatic faced off in a series, it has always been important. Back in Spring Fnatic was a couple of auto attacks away from knocking out MAD, but the Lions held on, reverse-swept and eventually won the split. In Summer Fnatic took revenge by forcing MAD to an early exit. They would go on to 3rd place, which completed their miracle run to Season Finals (and Worlds). Over the years both these have consistently been among the top of Europe. Though the years have been kinder on MAD Lions. In 2021 Summer MAD defeated FNC 3-1 in the finals. Since then Fnatic hasn't managed to reach a final, but maybe this will change on Saturday. As extra spice one should note there's quite some history between several of these players. Nisqy and Hylissang were both kicked from Fnatic. So far they've had the last laugh as both won an LEC title in the meantime and went to MSI. Fnatic midlaner Humanoid made the opposite move and will face his former team and teammates Elyoya and Carzzy. And which Spanish jungler will prevail? Elyoya has been elite ever since his debut in 2021, but Razork is currently in great form. Whatever happens, it's bound to be a great series in the Montpellier stadium.[/columns] [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]G2 Esports versus TBD[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [columns][nextcol width=75][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/TYPqpy2.png width=240] [size=5][color=white][b]VS[/b][/color][/size] [img=https://i.imgur.com/LCVVO7M.png width=240][/center][nextcol width=30][nextcol]Unsurprisingly, G2 is the final boss of LEC again. The team looks a league above the competition, with star players in every role. Mikyx, first support MVP since YellOwStaR in 2015. Hans Sama, one of EU's finest botlaners for years. Caps, the EU greatest of all time. Multiple times LEC and LCS champion BrokenBlade in the form of his life. And rookie of the year Yike, who filled Jankos' shoes effortlessly. This final trophy would put the crown on a near-perfect season from G2. Whoever comes out of the lower bracket to face G2, each has its interesting narrative. Fnatic, the timeless rival, the OG European titan that gradually fell prey to the new guys in town of Gamers2 and later G2 Esports. It remains El Classico of European League of Legends. Last time these teams faced off in a finals was back in 2020. Now to finally get a rematch, in a huge stadium, could be one of the most hype games in recent years. (And a chance for substitute FNC Wunder to thwart his former team one last time.) Or shall G2 take on MAD again, the one team that put a stain on their phenomenal 2023 in Spring? MAD is the spiritual successor of Fnatic in a way. The only team to really put their foot next to G2 since 2020-2021. 3 titles since 2021, but lifting the trophy again now would taste even sweeter. In Winter Finals MAD got clean-swept by G2, at MSI it was G2 of all teams to send MAD home and once again MAD has been relegated to the loser's bracket by G2. Can MAD make another lower-bracket run like last year's Rogue?[/columns] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Conclusion[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] That's all from us for now, we will be back next week one final time for a recap. Enjoy the finals! There's bound to be banger matches waiting for us. Who are you rooting for? Also don't forget to head over to E-GO to make the final adjustments to your Fantasy team! Now is a good time to use your sell-tokens if you have any left and carefully pick your captain for the weekend. May the odds ever be in your favour! Credits go to [color=#61acf2][url=https://lol.fandom.com/wiki/League_of_Legends_Esports_Wiki]LoL.fandom Wiki[/url][/color] for their collection of player portraits, up-to-date statistics, overviews and all-around fantastic work documenting LoL esports.[/quote]