MOBAFire EMEA Fantasy Tournament Summer 2023 - Week 3 Recap & Group Stage Preview :: League of Legends (LoL) Forum on MOBAFire

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‎‎ ‎ Introduction

Hello and welcome to the weekly LEC & Fantasy League coverage! The regular season Bo1 stage has wrapped up, we're now heading into Bo3s again and things are about to get really exciting! Lots of shakeups in the standings compared to Spring, and this time it's even more important as more championship points are on the line in order to make Season finals and have a chance at qualifying for Worlds. Let's take a look at what transpired last weekend and what to look for during Groups.

‎‎ ‎ Fantasy Leaderboards

More shakeups in the leaderboard after this week, with Fraikon as our top performer so far! Last week they were in third place, but now they top the board with a fairly comfortable 12 point lead. młodziuśki follows in second place after making top 10 last week as well. Third place Untezupa is also a familiar face from last week.
Now the regular season has concluded, the top 10 is definitely still up for the taking. Will you reign victorious in the end?

‎‎ ‎ Top Player In Each Role During Week 3

TOP LANE

Adam

Team BDS

34.3 PTS

JUNGLE

Yike

G2 Esports

32.5 PTS

MID LANE

Humanoid

Fnatic

31.2 PTS

BOT LANE

Hans Sama

G2 Esports

34.7 PTS

SUPPORT

Doss

SK Gaming

28.8 PTS

‎‎ ‎ Overall Top Player In Each Role

TOP LANE

BrokenBlade

G2 Esports

98.3 PTS

JUNGLE

Razork

Fnatic

93.4 PTS

MID LANE

Humanoid

Fnatic

91.7 PTS

BOT LANE

Noah

Fnatic

105.8 PTS

SUPPORT

Trymbi

Fnatic

83.7 PTS

‎‎ ‎ Current LEC Standings

G2 Esports
8-1

Fnatic
7-2

EXCEL
5-4

Team Heretics
5-4

Team BDS
4-5

SK Gaming
4-5

MAD Lions
4-5

KOI
4-5

Astralis
3-6

Team Vitality
1-8

The more things change, the more they stay the same. G2 and Fnatic are back at the top of the league. Both teams have shown a lot of consistency, with G2 showing more restraint while last split they would occasionally throw away some Bo1s. Meanwhile Fnatic comes off of a rebuild, adding Trymbi and Noah to their lineup, and those decisions have turned the ship around. The whole team looks revitalized. Even though the odds are harsh for Fnatic, there is the belief they can win Summer, make it to the season finals and qualify for Worlds. And with the way they are playing, it looks possible.

Look how far the bottom 2 teams of Spring have come, Heretics and Excel somehow find themselves in the top 4. Both teams made roster changes as well, adding respectively Flakked + Vetheo and Peach to their lineups. Has to feel great for these teams to overcome the hardship of the last few months, especially for XL who make Group stage for the first time after ending 10th place in both Winter and Spring.

MAD, BDS, KOI and SK all finished middle of the pack. MAD started 4-0 to the split, as the only team to beat G2, but went 0-5 afterwards. BDS hasn't quite shown their level of Spring yet either, though they recovered a bit in the last 2 weeks to still make top 8 without much trouble. For the third time this year KOI had to crawl their way to the top 8, but with a 2-1 final week against the bottom 8 they still secured their spot in Groups. For SK it was tension to the very last game. An upset win over Fnatic secured them top 8.

Meanwhile heartbreak for Astralis, who relied on Fnatic beating SK to get a tiebreaker against the latter for a final chance to make it. But fate was cruel to them, so somewhat surprisingly their season has already ended, with no way to make Season finals through championship points. Even worse perhaps is what happened to Vitality. The so-called superteam showed potential in Spring, but they never quite recovered from their 3-0 loss to BDS in playoffs. They tried to save the sinking ship by subbing in academy jungler Daglas for the last weekend, but despite the youngster's solid performances, Vitality went 0-3 to end dead last. They still have a chance at making Season finals and Worlds, but their fate isn't in their own hands anymore.

‎‎ ‎ Day 1 Recap

🏁 Game One

Coming into the week, both teams stood at 2-4, so this match would be crucial in the battle for top 8. SK brought the most action, controlling the map and looking for opportunities to group and skirmish. Between their , and they had a lot of disruption tools at their disposal. It netted them a kill lead alongside the first few drakes. However, Astralis still equalled or even led in gold through individual laning. At 17 minutes we already had a fight for the third drake on our hands, and Markoon secured it thanks to a beautiful to knock 113 and JeongHoon out of the pit. SK's position looked good, since all they had to do was play for the dragon soul. Though Astralis had still kept up in gold and in the ensuing 5v5s, they continued besting SK through a pop-off performance from LIDER on . Astralis denied the soul and even secured themselves a Baron with a daring call. Only Exakick's was standing between Astralis and their victory, but when LIDER scooped up SK's ADC with a flawless , the game was ultimately decided in favour of Astralis. Which left SK with dark clouds on the horizon.

VOD

🏁 Game Two

Another game with big importance regarding the fight for top 8, Vitality taking on KOI. At 1-5 Vitality had no choice but to finally start winning if they wanted a realistic shot at still making it. 17 year old jungler Daglas had the heavy burden of trying to make the miracle happen. With KOI they had an on paper beatable opponent, but the Spanish org came to play.

Both teams felt nervous, so not much happened during the early game. We got a taste of a classic LCK with few kills and late first blood at over 14 minutes! KOI showed the stronger laning and small early advantage, but it was Daglas with a good first impression (and Photon) who put Vitality on the board first. A bit later the young Vitality jungler kept a calm head to secure the 50/50 drakes to deny KOI of soul point. KOI didn't really need the dragons though, as mainly Larssen had a stellar laning phase as to net himself a huge gold lead over Perkz. So the gold remained in KOI's favour. Vitality felt strong enough to threaten a Baron though, but the same issues of previous weeks still showed; split calls and a lack of coordination were fatal for them in the 5v5. KOI displayed some of that good old Rogue style gameplay: slow but steady. They've shown they do not need kills to win games as the match ended with just a 4-5 kill score. Important victory for KOI.

VOD

🏁 Game Three

We've seen Hans Sama's destroy entire teams on his own time and time again, and vs XL it was that time again. Peach tried shutting the botlane down early, but the pre-6 gank was easily shut down by the G2 botlane, who picked up a first blood for the . Disaster for XL, who fortunately found a moment to capitalize on G2's greed as Mikyx and Hans tried to dive Patrik and LIMIT. Still Hans Sama had acquired loads of gold already. In an attempt to even things, XL decided to burn both s from their solo laners for a big play, but one drake and a single kill were not worth the investment. By the time G2 got an even fight, Hans and BrokenBlade's made quick work of XL. It wouldn't be G2 if not for some flippy moments as Peach came close to stealing a Baron, but Yike wouldn't have any of it. G2 bled XL out through a gold lead that easily surpassed 10k. By 28 minutes the game was over. Better ban .

VOD

🏁 Game Four

With BDS and Fnatic we had a top 2 team of last split vs the new top dog face off. Razork had been on a tear recently, so with the pick Fnatic was once again looking at their jungler to make the difference. Razork and Oscarinin teamed up well and abused Adam. By 18 minutes Fnatic was 7-0 with a comfortable lead. Up until Razork, Trymbi and Humanoid underestimated Adam's 0/3 ... Triple kill for the BDS toplaner and suddenly Fnatic's lead was mostly gone. BDS immediately pushed for more and got away with a quick Baron. Gold was almost equal again and BDS' heavy scaling comp proved problematic. It was up to Razork once again to get a grip of the game again before it fully slipped away. BDS started another Baron, but Razork remained patient and went in for a clean steal to return hope to the Fnatic fans. But of course the game did not resolve yet. Fnatic let a 50/50 at the Elder Dragon happen, and this time Sheo got the better of Razork. Yet again the advantage shifted, with BDS picking up a few kills and another Baron. Fnatic prepared for a final stand in their base. Humanoid's stepped forward to chunk out Crownie, which looked like a suicidal play, but he miraculously survived and Fnatic won the ensuing fight to buy a little more time. The game entered the 40 minute mark and the so far deathless Noah was finally caught out by Labrov's , but through Noah's he survived and BDS could not yet close the game out. Another Elder flip then, and Sheo secured it again, but Fnatic stood their ground. Humanoid with a crucial flash forward to stun Crownie sealed the deal and Fnatic took the game after a gruesome rollercoaster of a game.

VOD

🏁 Game Five

One fiesta after the other, when MAD plays it's not surprising to get a bloodbath. Elyoya went for the rare pick, so you know a lot was about to happen in the early game. The topsides clashed first, 2-1 in favour of MAD. A few minutes later MAD dove Evi again, who would the main target all game long. Both topsides clashed again around the Herald, but this time Heretics came out with the advantage as Vetheo's popped off to pick up 2 kills and become a huge threat. Meanwhile Evi fully embraced his role as punching bag and purchased a .
The next bit of main action came as a 5v5 around 22 minutes. MAD struck first, but Heretics turned a 3v5 around to fully ace MAD. Though they weren't able to gain much during that short window. So of course it came down to a Baron flip. Elyoya smited way too early, so Jankos could secure it fairly easily. Then Vetheo's had a field day sieging with the Baron buff, MAD had a hard time defending. So after a bloody game Heretics finished in a surprisingly short 26 minutes.

VOD

‎‎ ‎ Day 2 Recap

🏁 Game One

Both teams at 3-4, winning would mean locking groups. Several spicy picks to start off the day, for Peach, JeongHoon's signature and for LIDER. XL immediately prioritised their botlane, diving the enemy turret which ended with 2 kills going over to both sides. Meanwhile LIDER was having some fun, styling on and solo killing Abbedagge. A bit later Astralis laid out a trap for Peach, but the was more slippery than expected, and with Patrik and LIMIT arriving, Peach actually escaped with a sliver of HP while LIDER gave away an important shutdown to Patrik's .
The game was dead even at that point, until LIDER somehow found himself on the wrong side of the rift, stuck between XL's botlane inner turrets. Int or genius? Whatever the intention, Astralis made use of the distraction to secure an uncontested Baron. Though XL remained only 2k gold behind, and their front to back comp was insanely strong in 5v5. So at the expiration of Astralis' Baron buff, XL picked a full fight, and thanks to Peach finding Kobbe, they had no trouble wiping Astralis and finishing the game to qualify for Groups.

VOD

🏁 Game Two

G2 came out with and botlane. Practicing new things since they had already qualified for Groups. KOI on the other hand could use another win. Yike on tried to 1v1 Malrang's , but lacked just a little bit of damage and died. The G2 jungler recovered well though, as he picked up a double kill from a clean botlane dive minutes later. Just like KOI's previous game there was little action, but this time in G2's favour. Hans Sama, Caps and Yike were all clearly ahead of their counterparts. Szygenda got his hands on , as a counterpick to BB's , but G2 did a good job pressuring him to keep KOI's toplaner in check. G2's gold lead grew, until they could easily take the Baron as they wanted. KOI could never threaten Hans Sama despite being on an extremely immobile ADC. KOI had to teamfight as a last stand, but the gold lead had grown too big to overcome. And without G2 giving anything away, they rolled over fairly easily. With this victory G2 secured top 2.

VOD

🏁 Game Three

Battle between a 6-1 team and a 5-2 team. A banger guaranteed as Fnatic and Heretics fought over higher seeding going into Groups. As more often, Evi became a bit of a punching bag. Oscarinin picked up a few kills and became very strong on his . Fnatic played a strong early game, but eventually Heretics responded with a couple picks to net Flakked a bit of an advantage. At the 20 minute mark Fnatic just felt like they could start the Baron, and with Razork on , they simply knocked Jankos far away from the pit for an easy secure. Fortunately for Heretics, FNC overstayed their welcome though. Mersa's picked off Noah, who died instantly. Then we got a split up fight in which Heretics was able to kill off 4 Fnatic members, so the Baron lost a lot of its value very quickly. Especially Vetheo acquired a massive lead as . Gold lead remained in Fnatic's favour, but both teams stayed very close. Picks went over to both sides, but no big action occured til Heretics started a Baron. They sneaked it away just in time before Fnatic could respond. Fnatic got the Mountain soul in response though, which lowers the value of a and lethality a lot. And at 30 minutes we got another all-out 5v5 brawl in midlane, where Fnatic finally put Heretics behind them to keep their hopes for 1st place alive.

VOD

🏁 Game Four

Do or die for Team Vitality, who need to win if they want to keep a small chance at making top 8. But BDS is never the easiest opponent. Last time these teams met, in Spring playoffs, BDS won 3-0. The game immediately got very messy, both teams tried to make things happen, but execution was all over the place. Kills were traded, but it was Vitality who took the early lead. The game slowed down a bit, until around 21 minutes. BDS started the Baron, and with Daglas' on cooldown, he had no way to get in the pit in time. Vitality did a good job of not letting BDS get away and picking some kills, but in the end neither team could really gain a large enough lead to gain the upper hand. Vitality eventually tried giving BDS a taste of their own medicine by sneaking a Baron, which they succesfully secured, but they had to give up Upset and Kaiser's lives in return, which made the play feel way worse. VIT clawed on though, and for a while they actually grew their gold lead up to almost 6k. However, in a final teamfight BDS just had the better execution, with Labrov finding the heroic double knockup onto Upset and Daglas to win the fight and the game. Vitality came very close again, but last place is their sad fate as their season might be over already.

VOD

🏁 Game Five

Two scrappy teams, and they did deliver. SK mainly tried fighting through their mid-jungle, with Markoon and Sertuss having a stellar game. For 15 minutes SK led in kills, but MAD controlled the botlane and secured the first drakes. Gold was dead even, until both teams clashed for the third drake. MAD took the drake, but Irrelevant won the ensuing teamfight with a massive play, netting SK another 3 kills and the momentum. SK continued showcasing good teamfighting, which resulted in a Baron as they put their foot on the gas pedal. Desperate attempt of stealing another Baron by Elyoya failed and so SK found their way to a crucial dominant victory to keep their fate into their own hands.

VOD

‎‎ ‎ Day 3 Recap

🏁 Game One

Potentially the last game for Vitality this season, and one last chance to regain some honour. For XL this game was still important in terms of securing top 4. Both teams had drafted strong lategame comps, so no surprise the pace of the game was rather slow. Right before the 10 minute mark 4 Vitality members tried diving Abbedagge's , but as we know that champion does not die so easily, so Kaiser's life was traded over. And seconds later Peach caught out Daglas to turn the entire play into XL's favour. We would continue to see mainly teamfights and bigger skirmishes over smaller plays. And in those scenarios XL's comp reigned supreme. Upset had a bit of an uncharacteristic evening as he got caught out multiple times. XL had the lead, although Vitality still had great scaling on their side. At 20 minutes we saw some of the power of VIT's and , but Odoamne came in with a beautiful to save the day. XL got more comfortably in control and used their lead to acquire a Baron and steadily siege their way into the Vitality base. They showed great restraint and did not leave much room for Vitality to respond. It came down to a final 5v5 at Vitality's open Nexus, but XL showed great decisiveness again as Odoamne landed another fantastic to secure top 4 for themselves. Vitality was condemned to a final game score of 1-8.

VOD

🏁 Game Two

MAD and BDS ended their regular season with a reissue of the Spring split finals. Both drafted looked right out of that series, with both sides drafting a lot of their comfort picks such as Nisqy's , Carzzy's , Chasy's , nuc's and Crownie's . BDS went for their usual gameplan of prioritising drakes at all costs, while MAD found no real answers. The latter have been playing rather sloppy ever since week 2. This time as well, Chasy and Nisqy dying to ganks, Hylissang with a happy moment dying in lane and overall overcommitment while trying to get anything back. BDS left the early game with a slight lead, and most importantly some gold on their carries. And from there on they have the easier to execute front to back comp. BDS felt comfortable enough to start the Baron, Elyoya failed at stealing it, and BDS wiped MAD Lions. Once again MAD was left empty handed and things went from bad to worse. BDS took some revenge in MAD for the lost Spring finals with what was effectively a big stomp. Both teams at 4-5 and Groups guaranteed.

VOD

🏁 Game Three

Another high stakes game as both teams were at 3-5. Victor of this Bo1 would guarantee Group stage, though the loser would still have a chance at a tiebreaker. Action started at the first Herald. Both entire teams rotated over in this fairly long sequence. Astralis secured the objective, but KOI won the ensuing fight. We already got a 5v5 rematch at the second drake. Astralis looked a bit disconnected, so KOI walked away with 2 free kills on their carries Larssen and Comp on top of the objective. From then on it was all smooth sailing for KOI. Larssen had a stellar game on with several multi-target s while Comp delivered on his signature . In KOI's classic controlled style they rolled over Astralis. 22-5 was the final kill score. Statement game from KOI while Astralis were left just a small chance at making top 8.

VOD

🏁 Game Four

Two of our top teams facing off, and perhaps most importantly Jankos vs his former team. Everything was in place for a banger, and we definitely got a remarkable game. Both teams had some moments of overaggression which got punished, leading to both Flakked's and Caps' getting 2 early kills. Heretics and G2 would continue trading blows, in a tense, but moderately bloody game. Gold stayed very even for the first 20 minutes. At 25 min Heretics made the call to let Flakked solo the Infernal drake, but G2 responded swiftly by going for the Baron. Jankos could not enter the pit in time and G2 walked away the winners of that play. Heretics still held on, and after the 30 minute mark G2 only led by about 2k gold. No hope was lost since there were still a hyperscaling and . 4 men on both side faced off around another Baron while the midlaners battled it out in Heretics' base. TH managed to shut down Hans Sama's , but Vetheo lost the 1v1 to Caps. Then Heretics immediately paused the game due to a bug.

It took a while before the game resumed, but there was a short chronobreak to the point right before the fight started. Now Vetheo won the 1v1, but the rest of Heretics lost the Baron fight and the objective. G2 pressed forward, won a last 5v5 and took the game in what was quite the rollercoaster. Heretics will most definitely feel bad about this one, although the result does not really affect their standings fortunately. With this victory G2 end another regular season on a dominant 8-1.

VOD

🏁 Game Five

Another banger game to wrap up the LEC Summer regular season! Fnatic couldn't really gain anything from this game, but for SK it was crucial as a win would leave them with the safe 4-5 score to soldify their spot in top 8 and avoid a tiebreaker vs Astralis. And what better way for SK to take on this game than to take a page out of JDG Kanavi's book? Markoon locked in the exotic jungle. This marked the pick's first appearance in LEC Summer. On Fnatic's side we also got some spice in the form of Humanoid's . It's a known counter to , but it almost never gets picked at the highest level.

The game got really scrappy really soon. Fnatic needed some time to clean up their gameplay, but that didn't prevent SK's topside for capitalising already. In return Noah racked up kills on the botside though, so the game was still wide open. Exakick's and Humanoid taking turns sniping opponents added even more spice. 19 Minutes in Noah was finally caught out, which gave over a massive shutdown to Exakick. Just like the previous game eventually saw a Dragon for Baron trade, with SK coming out on top as they secured the Purple Worm with the only cot being Irrelevant's life. ~~Which is irrelevant anyway.~~ The momentum shifted from Fnatic to SK, who even built up a small gold advantage with their Baron. So Fnatic said screw it and opted into a Baron flip. Noah was stuck inside the pit and without up he was left to die quickly. SK then sweeped the entirety of Fnatic in a clean ace, ending the game. A big but deserved upset win to secure themselves top 8 at the last possible moment. Meanwhile heartbreak for Astralis, who had been condemned to 9th place instead of a tiebreaker due to this result.

VOD

[quote=Silverman43][center][img=https://www.mobafire.com/images/news/emea-summer-23-week-3.jpg][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Introduction[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] Hello and welcome to the weekly LEC & Fantasy League coverage! The regular season Bo1 stage has wrapped up, we're now heading into Bo3s again and things are about to get really exciting! Lots of shakeups in the standings compared to Spring, and this time it's even more important as more championship points are on the line in order to make Season finals and have a chance at qualifying for Worlds. Let's take a look at what transpired last weekend and what to look for during Groups. [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Fantasy Leaderboards[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][img=https://i.imgur.com/ARu6xhR.png][/center] More shakeups in the leaderboard after this week, with Fraikon as our top performer so far! Last week they were in third place, but now they top the board with a fairly comfortable 12 point lead. młodziuśki follows in second place after making top 10 last week as well. Third place Untezupa is also a familiar face from last week. Now the regular season has concluded, the top 10 is definitely still up for the taking. Will you reign victorious in the end? [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Top Player In Each Role During Week 3[/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]34.3 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e81f24" 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/4/46/G2_Yike_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e81f24][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Yike[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/TYPqpy2.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]G2 Esports[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]32.5 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/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]31.2 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e81f24" 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/f/ff/G2_Hans_Sama_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e81f24][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Hans Sama[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/TYPqpy2.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]G2 Esports[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]34.7 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [nextcol] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ffffff" 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/e/e7/SK_Doss_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ffffff][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Doss[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]SK Gaming[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]28.8 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/columns][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Overall Top Player In Each Role[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [center][columns] [table width=160 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e81f24" 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/5/54/G2_BrokenBlade_2023_Split_1.png height=100][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e81f24][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]BrokenBlade[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#091120][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/TYPqpy2.png height=15][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=3][b][color=#00000]G2 Esports[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]98.3 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/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]93.4 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]91.7 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]105.8 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]83.7 PTS[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/columns][/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Current LEC Standings[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns][columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]1[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]G2 Esports[/size] [size=4]8-1[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]2[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]Fnatic[/size] [size=4]7-2[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]3[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]EXCEL[/size] [size=4]5-4[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]4[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/U7bjp0u.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]Team Heretics[/size] [size=4]5-4[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]5[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]Team BDS[/size] [size=4]4-5[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]6[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]SK Gaming[/size] [size=4]4-5[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]7[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]MAD Lions[/size] [size=4]4-5[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]8[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/bzFmPRP.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]KOI[/size] [size=4]4-5[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]9[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/8dGCLTD.png height=75][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]Astralis[/size] [size=4]3-6[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [columns][nextcol width=35][size=6][b][color=white]10[/color][/size][/b][nextcol width=20][nextcol][img=https://i.imgur.com/qFDsChc.png height=70][nextcol width=10][nextcol][size=5][b][color=white]Team Vitality[/size] [size=4]1-8[/color][/size][/b][/columns] [nextcol width=50][nextcol width=500] The more things change, the more they stay the same. G2 and Fnatic are back at the top of the league. Both teams have shown a lot of consistency, with G2 showing more restraint while last split they would occasionally throw away some Bo1s. Meanwhile Fnatic comes off of a rebuild, adding Trymbi and Noah to their lineup, and those decisions have turned the ship around. The whole team looks revitalized. Even though the odds are harsh for Fnatic, there is the belief they can win Summer, make it to the season finals and qualify for Worlds. And with the way they are playing, it looks possible. Look how far the bottom 2 teams of Spring have come, Heretics and Excel somehow find themselves in the top 4. Both teams made roster changes as well, adding respectively Flakked + Vetheo and Peach to their lineups. Has to feel great for these teams to overcome the hardship of the last few months, especially for XL who make Group stage for the first time after ending 10th place in both Winter and Spring. MAD, BDS, KOI and SK all finished middle of the pack. MAD started 4-0 to the split, as the only team to beat G2, but went 0-5 afterwards. BDS hasn't quite shown their level of Spring yet either, though they recovered a bit in the last 2 weeks to still make top 8 without much trouble. For the third time this year KOI had to crawl their way to the top 8, but with a 2-1 final week against the bottom 8 they still secured their spot in Groups. For SK it was tension to the very last game. An upset win over Fnatic secured them top 8. Meanwhile heartbreak for Astralis, who relied on Fnatic beating SK to get a tiebreaker against the latter for a final chance to make it. But fate was cruel to them, so somewhat surprisingly their season has already ended, with no way to make Season finals through championship points. Even worse perhaps is what happened to Vitality. The so-called superteam showed potential in Spring, but they never quite recovered from their 3-0 loss to BDS in playoffs. They tried to save the sinking ship by subbing in academy jungler Daglas for the last weekend, but despite the youngster's solid performances, Vitality went 0-3 to end dead last. They still have a chance at making Season finals and Worlds, but their fate isn't in their own hands anymore. [img=https://i.imgur.com/0ujmuPe.png height=225] [/columns] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Day 1 Recap[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/8dGCLTD.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/1whtSNS.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] Coming into the week, both teams stood at 2-4, so this match would be crucial in the battle for top 8. SK brought the most action, controlling the map and looking for opportunities to group and skirmish. Between their [[gragas]], [[neeko]] and [[poppy]] they had a lot of disruption tools at their disposal. It netted them a kill lead alongside the first few drakes. However, Astralis still equalled or even led in gold through individual laning. At 17 minutes we already had a fight for the third drake on our hands, and Markoon secured it thanks to a beautiful [[keeper's verdict]] to knock 113 and JeongHoon out of the pit. SK's position looked good, since all they had to do was play for the dragon soul. Though Astralis had still kept up in gold and in the ensuing 5v5s, they continued besting SK through a pop-off performance from LIDER on [[azir]]. Astralis denied the soul and even secured themselves a Baron with a daring call. Only Exakick's [[jinx]] was standing between Astralis and their victory, but when LIDER scooped up SK's ADC with a flawless [[emperor's divide]], the game was ultimately decided in favour of Astralis. Which left SK with dark clouds on the horizon. [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0000][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MvuwuHpxqs][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0000][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/qFDsChc.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/bzFmPRP.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] Another game with big importance regarding the fight for top 8, Vitality taking on KOI. At 1-5 Vitality had no choice but to finally start winning if they wanted a realistic shot at still making it. 17 year old jungler Daglas had the heavy burden of trying to make the miracle happen. With KOI they had an on paper beatable opponent, but the Spanish org came to play. Both teams felt nervous, so not much happened during the early game. We got a taste of a classic LCK with few kills and late first blood at over 14 minutes! KOI showed the stronger laning and small early advantage, but it was Daglas with a good first impression (and Photon) who put Vitality on the board first. A bit later the young Vitality jungler kept a calm head to secure the 50/50 drakes to deny KOI of soul point. KOI didn't really need the dragons though, as mainly Larssen had a stellar laning phase as [[leblanc]] to net himself a huge gold lead over Perkz. So the gold remained in KOI's favour. Vitality felt strong enough to threaten a Baron though, but the same issues of previous weeks still showed; split calls and a lack of coordination were fatal for them in the 5v5. KOI displayed some of that good old Rogue style gameplay: slow but steady. They've shown they do not need kills to win games as the match ended with just a 4-5 kill score. Important victory for KOI.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=7f4ecf][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTayyN5ji_A][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=7f4ecf][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.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/5YupRVh.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] We've seen Hans Sama's [[draven]] destroy entire teams on his own time and time again, and vs XL it was that time again. Peach tried shutting the botlane down early, but the pre-6 [[nocturne]] gank was easily shut down by the G2 botlane, who picked up a first blood for the [[draven]]. Disaster for XL, who fortunately found a moment to capitalize on G2's greed as Mikyx and Hans tried to dive Patrik and LIMIT. Still Hans Sama had acquired loads of gold already. In an attempt to even things, XL decided to burn both [[teleport]]s from their solo laners for a big play, but one drake and a single kill were not worth the investment. By the time G2 got an even fight, Hans and BrokenBlade's [[olaf]] made quick work of XL. It wouldn't be G2 if not for some flippy moments as Peach came close to stealing a Baron, but Yike wouldn't have any of it. G2 bled XL out through a gold lead that easily surpassed 10k. By 28 minutes the game was over. Better ban [[draven]]. [/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=noDwRKSoMOo][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.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/ncIuiAG.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] With BDS and Fnatic we had a top 2 team of last split vs the new top dog face off. Razork had been on a tear recently, so with the [[viego]] pick Fnatic was once again looking at their jungler to make the difference. Razork and Oscarinin teamed up well and abused Adam. By 18 minutes Fnatic was 7-0 with a comfortable lead. Up until Razork, Trymbi and Humanoid underestimated Adam's 0/3 [[olaf]]... Triple kill for the BDS toplaner and suddenly Fnatic's lead was mostly gone. BDS immediately pushed for more and got away with a quick Baron. Gold was almost equal again and BDS' heavy scaling comp proved problematic. It was up to Razork once again to get a grip of the game again before it fully slipped away. BDS started another Baron, but Razork remained patient and went in for a clean steal to return hope to the Fnatic fans. But of course the game did not resolve yet. Fnatic let a 50/50 at the Elder Dragon happen, and this time Sheo got the better of Razork. Yet again the advantage shifted, with BDS picking up a few kills and another Baron. Fnatic prepared for a final stand in their base. Humanoid's [[syndra]] stepped forward to chunk out Crownie, which looked like a suicidal play, but he miraculously survived and Fnatic won the ensuing fight to buy a little more time. The game entered the 40 minute mark and the so far deathless Noah was finally caught out by Labrov's [[blitzcrank]], but through Noah's [[guardian angel]] he survived and BDS could not yet close the game out. Another Elder flip then, and Sheo secured it again, but Fnatic stood their ground. Humanoid with a crucial flash forward to stun Crownie sealed the deal and Fnatic took the game after a gruesome rollercoaster of a game. [/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=aL__k3o9FdE][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=fe5900][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.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/U7bjp0u.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] One fiesta after the other, when MAD plays it's not surprising to get a bloodbath. Elyoya went for the rare [[rek'sai]] pick, so you know a lot was about to happen in the early game. The topsides clashed first, 2-1 in favour of MAD. A few minutes later MAD dove Evi again, who would the main target all game long. Both topsides clashed again around the Herald, but this time Heretics came out with the advantage as Vetheo's [[leblanc]] popped off to pick up 2 kills and become a huge threat. Meanwhile Evi fully embraced his role as punching bag [[poppy]] and purchased a [[locket of the iron solari]]. The next bit of main action came as a 5v5 around 22 minutes. MAD struck first, but Heretics turned a 3v5 around to fully ace MAD. Though they weren't able to gain much during that short window. So of course it came down to a Baron flip. Elyoya smited way too early, so Jankos could secure it fairly easily. Then Vetheo's [[statikk shiv]] [[leblanc]] had a field day sieging with the Baron buff, MAD had a hard time defending. So after a bloody game Heretics finished in a surprisingly short 26 minutes. [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=dba612][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymHzlRedpaY][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=dba612][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Day 2 Recap[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.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/zd8hCAE.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] Both teams at 3-4, winning would mean locking groups. Several spicy picks to start off the day, [[amumu]] for Peach, JeongHoon's signature [[pyke]] and [[sylas]] for LIDER. XL immediately prioritised their botlane, diving the enemy turret which ended with 2 kills going over to both sides. Meanwhile LIDER was having some fun, styling on and solo killing Abbedagge. A bit later Astralis laid out a trap for Peach, but the [[amumu]] was more slippery than expected, and with Patrik and LIMIT arriving, Peach actually escaped with a sliver of HP while LIDER gave away an important shutdown to Patrik's [[aphelios]]. The game was dead even at that point, until LIDER somehow found himself on the wrong side of the rift, stuck between XL's botlane inner turrets. Int or genius? Whatever the intention, Astralis made use of the distraction to secure an uncontested Baron. Though XL remained only 2k gold behind, and their front to back comp was insanely strong in 5v5. So at the expiration of Astralis' Baron buff, XL picked a full fight, and thanks to Peach finding Kobbe, they had no trouble wiping Astralis and finishing the game to qualify for Groups. [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pe4_NcdmJY][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/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/bzFmPRP.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=transparent]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Two[/b][/size][/center] G2 came out with [[kog'maw]] and [[braum]] botlane. Practicing new things since they had already qualified for Groups. KOI on the other hand could use another win. Yike on [[kha'zix]] tried to 1v1 Malrang's [[jarvan iv]], but lacked just a little bit of damage and died. The G2 jungler recovered well though, as he picked up a double kill from a clean botlane dive minutes later. Just like KOI's previous game there was little action, but this time in G2's favour. Hans Sama, Caps and Yike were all clearly ahead of their counterparts. Szygenda got his hands on [[gwen]], as a counterpick to BB's [[k'sante]], but G2 did a good job pressuring him to keep KOI's toplaner in check. G2's gold lead grew, until they could easily take the Baron as they wanted. KOI could never threaten Hans Sama despite being on an extremely immobile ADC. KOI had to teamfight as a last stand, but the gold lead had grown too big to overcome. And without G2 giving anything away, they rolled over fairly easily. With this victory G2 secured top 2.[/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=jYlwI-0kxII][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/U7bjp0u.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] Battle between a 6-1 team and a 5-2 team. A banger guaranteed as Fnatic and Heretics fought over higher seeding going into Groups. As more often, Evi became a bit of a punching bag. Oscarinin picked up a few kills and became very strong on his [[olaf]]. Fnatic played a strong early game, but eventually Heretics responded with a couple picks to net Flakked a bit of an advantage. At the 20 minute mark Fnatic just felt like they could start the Baron, and with Razork on [[poppy]], they simply knocked Jankos far away from the pit for an easy secure. Fortunately for Heretics, FNC overstayed their welcome though. Mersa's [[blitzcrank]] picked off Noah, who died instantly. Then we got a split up fight in which Heretics was able to kill off 4 Fnatic members, so the Baron lost a lot of its value very quickly. Especially Vetheo acquired a massive lead as [[leblanc]]. Gold lead remained in Fnatic's favour, but both teams stayed very close. Picks went over to both sides, but no big action occured til Heretics started a Baron. They sneaked it away just in time before Fnatic could respond. Fnatic got the Mountain soul in response though, which lowers the value of a [[leblanc]] and lethality [[varus]] a lot. And at 30 minutes we got another all-out 5v5 brawl in midlane, where Fnatic finally put Heretics behind them to keep their hopes for 1st place alive.[/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=vShB5s1u6AI][/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/qFDsChc.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] Do or die for Team Vitality, who need to win if they want to keep a small chance at making top 8. But BDS is never the easiest opponent. Last time these teams met, in Spring playoffs, BDS won 3-0. The game immediately got very messy, both teams tried to make things happen, but execution was all over the place. Kills were traded, but it was Vitality who took the early lead. The game slowed down a bit, until around 21 minutes. BDS started the Baron, and with Daglas' [[flash]] on cooldown, he had no way to get in the pit in time. Vitality did a good job of not letting BDS get away and picking some kills, but in the end neither team could really gain a large enough lead to gain the upper hand. Vitality eventually tried giving BDS a taste of their own medicine by sneaking a Baron, which they succesfully secured, but they had to give up Upset and Kaiser's lives in return, which made the play feel way worse. VIT clawed on though, and for a while they actually grew their gold lead up to almost 6k. However, in a final teamfight BDS just had the better execution, with Labrov finding the heroic double knockup onto Upset and Daglas to win the fight and the game. Vitality came very close again, but last place is their sad fate as their season might be over already.[/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=7pOtT2NNFV0][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.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 Five[/b][/size][/center] Two scrappy teams, and they did deliver. SK mainly tried fighting through their mid-jungle, with Markoon and Sertuss having a stellar game. For 15 minutes SK led in kills, but MAD controlled the botlane and secured the first drakes. Gold was dead even, until both teams clashed for the third drake. MAD took the drake, but Irrelevant won the ensuing teamfight with a massive [[gragas]] play, netting SK another 3 kills and the momentum. SK continued showcasing good teamfighting, which resulted in a Baron as they put their foot on the gas pedal. Desperate attempt of stealing another Baron by Elyoya failed and so SK found their way to a crucial dominant victory to keep their fate into their own hands. [/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcr19eg9cSM][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Day 3 Recap[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/qFDsChc.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/uTTwXWc.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game One[/b][/size][/center] Potentially the last game for Vitality this season, and one last chance to regain some honour. For XL this game was still important in terms of securing top 4. Both teams had drafted strong lategame comps, so no surprise the pace of the game was rather slow. Right before the 10 minute mark 4 Vitality members tried diving Abbedagge's [[k'sante]], but as we know that champion does not die so easily, so Kaiser's life was traded over. And seconds later Peach caught out Daglas to turn the entire play into XL's favour. We would continue to see mainly teamfights and bigger skirmishes over smaller plays. And in those scenarios XL's comp reigned supreme. Upset had a bit of an uncharacteristic evening as he got caught out multiple times. XL had the lead, although Vitality still had great scaling on their side. At 20 minutes we saw some of the power of VIT's [[viego]] and [[yuumi]], but Odoamne came in with a beautiful [[slicing maelstrom]] to save the day. XL got more comfortably in control and used their lead to acquire a Baron and steadily siege their way into the Vitality base. They showed great restraint and did not leave much room for Vitality to respond. It came down to a final 5v5 at Vitality's open Nexus, but XL showed great decisiveness again as Odoamne landed another fantastic [[slicing maelstrom]] to secure top 4 for themselves. Vitality was condemned to a final game score of 1-8.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzRwBymCjZU][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/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/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 Two[/b][/size][/center] MAD and BDS ended their regular season with a reissue of the Spring split finals. Both drafted looked right out of that series, with both sides drafting a lot of their comfort picks such as Nisqy's [[gragas]], Carzzy's [[ezreal]], Chasy's [[kennen]], nuc's [[azir]] and Crownie's [[aphelios]]. BDS went for their usual gameplan of prioritising drakes at all costs, while MAD found no real answers. The latter have been playing rather sloppy ever since week 2. This time as well, Chasy and Nisqy dying to ganks, Hylissang with a happy moment dying in lane and overall overcommitment while trying to get anything back. BDS left the early game with a slight lead, and most importantly some gold on their carries. And from there on they have the easier to execute front to back comp. BDS felt comfortable enough to start the Baron, Elyoya failed at stealing it, and BDS wiped MAD Lions. Once again MAD was left empty handed and things went from bad to worse. BDS took some revenge in MAD for the lost Spring finals with what was effectively a big stomp. Both teams at 4-5 and Groups guaranteed.[/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=Jy1iD0nhxwc][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ff0075][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/bzFmPRP.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/8dGCLTD.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] Another high stakes game as both teams were at 3-5. Victor of this Bo1 would guarantee Group stage, though the loser would still have a chance at a tiebreaker. Action started at the first Herald. Both entire teams rotated over in this fairly long sequence. Astralis secured the objective, but KOI won the ensuing fight. We already got a 5v5 rematch at the second drake. Astralis looked a bit disconnected, so KOI walked away with 2 free kills on their carries Larssen and Comp on top of the objective. From then on it was all smooth sailing for KOI. Larssen had a stellar game on [[neeko]] with several multi-target [[pop blossom]]s while Comp delivered on his signature [[sivir]]. In KOI's classic controlled style they rolled over Astralis. 22-5 was the final kill score. Statement game from KOI while Astralis were left just a small chance at making top 8.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=7f4ecf][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1WL0VeD5MI][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=7f4ecf][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/U7bjp0u.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/5YupRVh.png height=75] [center][size=5][b][color=#00ff00]^[/color][/b][/size][/center] [nextcol width=20][nextcol width=600][center][size=5][b]🏁 Game Four[/b][/size][/center] Two of our top teams facing off, and perhaps most importantly Jankos vs his former team. Everything was in place for a banger, and we definitely got a remarkable game. Both teams had some moments of overaggression which got punished, leading to both Flakked's [[zeri]] and Caps' [[cassiopeia]] getting 2 early kills. Heretics and G2 would continue trading blows, in a tense, but moderately bloody game. Gold stayed very even for the first 20 minutes. At 25 min Heretics made the call to let Flakked solo the Infernal drake, but G2 responded swiftly by going for the Baron. Jankos could not enter the pit in time and G2 walked away the winners of that play. Heretics still held on, and after the 30 minute mark G2 only led by about 2k gold. No hope was lost since there were still a hyperscaling [[zeri]] and [[yuumi]]. 4 men on both side faced off around another Baron while the midlaners battled it out in Heretics' base. TH managed to shut down Hans Sama's [[aphelios]], but Vetheo lost the 1v1 to Caps. Then Heretics immediately paused the game due to a bug. It took a while before the game resumed, but there was a short chronobreak to the point right before the fight started. Now Vetheo won the 1v1, but the rest of Heretics lost the Baron fight and the objective. G2 pressed forward, won a last 5v5 and took the game in what was quite the rollercoaster. Heretics will most definitely feel bad about this one, although the result does not really affect their standings fortunately. With this victory G2 end another regular season on a dominant 8-1.[/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=lyEwiFnabTA][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=e81f24][/td][/tr][/table] [columns] [img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.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 Five[/b][/size][/center] Another banger game to wrap up the LEC Summer regular season! Fnatic couldn't really gain anything from this game, but for SK it was crucial as a win would leave them with the safe 4-5 score to soldify their spot in top 8 and avoid a tiebreaker vs Astralis. And what better way for SK to take on this game than to take a page out of JDG Kanavi's book? Markoon locked in the exotic [[nautilus]] jungle. This marked the pick's first appearance in LEC Summer. On Fnatic's side we also got some spice in the form of Humanoid's [[xerath]]. It's a known counter to [[azir]], but it almost never gets picked at the highest level. The game got really scrappy really soon. Fnatic needed some time to clean up their gameplay, but that didn't prevent SK's topside for capitalising already. In return Noah racked up kills on the botside though, so the game was still wide open. Exakick's [[jinx]] and Humanoid taking turns sniping opponents added even more spice. 19 Minutes in Noah was finally caught out, which gave over a massive shutdown to Exakick. Just like the previous game eventually saw a Dragon for Baron trade, with SK coming out on top as they secured the Purple Worm with the only cot being Irrelevant's life. [s]Which is irrelevant anyway.[/s] The momentum shifted from Fnatic to SK, who even built up a small gold advantage with their Baron. So Fnatic said screw it and opted into a Baron flip. Noah was stuck inside the pit and without [[flash]] up he was left to die quickly. SK then sweeped the entirety of Fnatic in a clean ace, ending the game. A big but deserved upset win to secure themselves top 8 at the last possible moment. Meanwhile heartbreak for Astralis, who had been condemned to 9th place instead of a tiebreaker due to this result.[/columns] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table] [spoiler=VOD][columns][nextcol width=150][nextcol][embed=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P06FkzKVbQc][/columns][/spoiler] [table][tr][td height=2 width=900 bgcolor=ffffff][/td][/tr][/table][/quote]

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‎‎ ‎ Group Stage Format Preview

Just like last 2 splits, the 8 teams qualified for the group stage have been drawn into 2 groups as seen below. Our top 2 teams of the regular season, G2 and Fnatic, have chosen KOI and SK as their opponents for the first round respectively. Each team will have to win 2 series in order to advance to the playoff stage. There is the safety net of lower bracket, so losing your first match still gives you a chance at making it to playoffs. All matches are Bo3s, so drafting and quick adaptability become extra important in order to advance. Every game counts, but only 2 teams will make it through from each group. On paper group A is especially interesting as all 4 teams have shown to be strong at several points the past few weeks and months. Spring finalists BDS vs the up and coming revamped Team Heretics. Alongside modern classic G2 and KOI, who have played 2 Bo3s already this year. In group B we'll see just how good XL actually is or whether MAD can step up when it matters the most again. Also Fnatic facing off against the team they lost to last week. Bangers guaranteed!

Match 1

Group A

↘

Match 3

Winner M1

→

Playoffs Qualification

Winner M2

↘

↗

Loser M3

Loser M1

→

Playoffs Qualification

Match 2

→

Winner M4

Loser M2

Match 5

Match 4

Match 1

Group B

↘

Match 3

Winner M1

→

Playoffs Qualification

Winner M2

↘

↗

Loser M3

Loser M1

→

Playoffs Qualification

Match 2

→

Winner M4

Loser M2

Match 5

Match 4

‎‎ ‎ Group Stage Week 1 Preview

Group A - Match 1

Team Heretics

Team BDS

We'll be starting off the group stage with an interesting clash between Team BDS and Team heretics. BDS most famously went 2-0 up in Spring finals before ultimately getting reverse-swept by MAD Lions. Their regular season now has been hot and cold, starting off rather weak to the split, but gradually showing glimpses of the power that got them 2nd place again. Question remains whether BDS' straightforward drake-stacking and scaling playstyle has been figured out, as some teams already showed answers. Heretics on the other hand return to Bo3s after finishing 9th in Spring. Since the addition of Flakked and Vetheo to the roster, they have clearly improved. They have consistently beat the teams below them (bar KOI), including BDS. The upcoming matches will give more insight into whether Heretics can push further upwards and actually challenge the likes of G2 and Fnatic.

Players to Watch

MIDLANE

Vetheo

Team Heretics

$185

BOTLANE

Flakked

Team Heretics

$191

TOPLANE

Adam

Team BDS

$207

BOTLANE

Crownie

Team BDS

$212

It has been a redemption story in multiple ways for Heretics after their early exit in Spring. For new additions Vetheo and Flakked this is also true. The French midlaner had a hard time on XL, but the former LEC MVP clearly still has the talent to compete with the best. He has been playing well again, and with one of the all-time best junglers Jankos at his side, Heretics have a solid core to play around. Flakked was rather surprisingly out of LEC the past year, despite a fairly good rookie year on G2. And so the young ADC went on to tear up the regional leagues the past few months. His remarkable performances led to his reunion with former G2 teammate Jankos. Back in LEC he just picked up where he left off with good gameplay.

Flakked's matchup against Crownie should be something to look out for. The veteran BDS botlaner has been a standout performer all year long. So with the meta remaining botlane-centric, BDS will always have a clear win-condition down the botside. And whenever Crownie has resources, he will step up and carry. In addition one cannot get around Adam. Opinions differ about the French toplaner, with the unique champion pool such as , and , but truth is that he has been besting most LEC toplaners this year. No one does better in terms of solo kills; Adam has 9 of them so far. I personally am very curious to see the matchup between Adam and Evi, with the latter having a rough time recently.

Will Heretics set the first clear step towards playoffs (for the first time in their history) or will BDS rise up again in desperate search for that first LEC title?

Group A - Match 2

G2 Esports

KOI

Ready for the 3rd Bo3 between G2 and KOI? Last split KOI won the first match 2-1, though G2 won the second round 2-1 to end KOI's split. In Summer G2 has clearly looked like the better team so far. They seem to be on a mission after their rather disappointing Spring split, aiming for another LEC title. KOI will have to bring their A-game in order to best G2. Though it's certainly possible, and they've shown some great games the last week. Consistency is their biggest concern. Either way, both teams certainly do not lack skilled player.

Players to Watch

TOPLANE

BrokenBlade

G2 Esports

$211

SUPPORT

Mikyx

G2 Esports

$200

TOPLANE

Szygenda

KOI

$193

MIDLANE

Larssen

KOI

$195

We have to give it to him, BrokenBlade turned his play around. In Winter he was often considered the weakest part of the title-winning G2. In Spring he was outright criticized for his play. But at MSI he silenced all doubters as arguably the best individual performer of G2. The 'Topfather' has had plenty of good performances, even now he plays mostly weakside on things like . He will always show up during teamfights and his laning has been pretty good this split as well. He's currently the toplaner with the highest KDA! Regarding top players in their role, Mikyx is once again making a case for best support in the league. Considering how long he has been playing it's pretty impressive how he continues to show good form.

A clear standout on the side of KOI has been Larssen. Though because of KOI's limited success this year, he does not often get the deserved respect for what is quietly a very solid year by the midlaner. When KOI wins, it's usually due to Larssen popping off. This split especially his and have been a treat to watch. Even though KOI went 4-5 in the regular season, Larssen hovers around top 3 across most statistics among midlaners. The other solo laner, Szygenda has likewise been solid. After he dragged KOI to Groups in Spring, he's had a bit of a quieter split so far, but still quite good. The amount of pressure 'TheShygenda' draws is huge alongside his high DPM as one of the few carry toplaners in the league. He also currently ranks 2nd in solokills with 6 solo bolos. The toplane matchup could be quite the spectacle if both of these gentlemen get their hands on something volatile.

Which part of history will repeat itself? Will G2 continue their near-perfect run, or can KOI ramp-up enough to be a killjoy?

Group B - Match 1

EXCEL

MAD Lions

This should be a very interesting matchup. XL finally made top 8 - top 3 even - after 2 splits of disappointment. The roster changes have finally paid off; Korean youngster Peach replacing Xerxe in the jungle, Abbedagge formally taking Vetheo's spot as the starting midlaner and LIMIT who replaced Targamas after Winter already. If XL wants to have any chance at making Season finals and thus Worlds, they need to make a deep run this split. Their regular season showed promise, though we have to wonder just how far this team can go when faced with Bo3s or Bo5s. And if there's one team that has stepped up time and time again during these stages, it's MAD Lions. After starting 4-0 to the split, they lost 5 games in a row. Crisis or just MAD things? Last split they had to play a tiebreaker vs Heretics to even make Groups. Then they were a few auto attacks away from being knocked out by Fnatic, before eventually ramping up all the way to winning 3 Bo5s and becoming champions. So how good are these teams really? Could this be the start of another miracle run?

Players to Watch

TOPLANE

Odoamne

EXCEL

$181

BOTLANE

Patrik

EXCEL

$183

JUNGLE

Elyoya

MAD Lions

$201

BOTLANE

Carzzy

MAD Lions

$197

Odoamne needs no introduction. The Romanian toplaner has been playing in the league for almost 10 years now. While his individual level this year wasn't bad at all, he went down with the sinking ship that was XL the past 2 splits. Now things have finally gone XL's way again, it's time to appreciate how Odo is such a sturdy rock to this team. Usually he'll be on tank duty to sacrifice himself for the team, but he'll do well on something with more agency as well. Like his last week for example. Odoamne's experience could prove invaluable going into the stressful Bo3 (and eventually Bo5?) stage. XL can also count on Patrik to carry the team. He has been a very solid botlaner for years now, despite being on mediocre rosters at times. His return to form has been crucial to XL's resurgence this split.

During difficult moments Carzzy tends to be one of MAD's best performing members. Last split he dragged MAD to top 8 kicking and screaming. He has always stood up internationally too, at MSI and Worlds 2021 most notably. Even though MAD went 4-5 now, Carzzy leads in DMG/min and CS/min among LEC ADCs. And MAD is actually known for being a topside focused team usually. Quite the achievement considering the current ADC pool in Europe is stacked. Next I'd like to talk about Elyoya. Again. It's just that the Spanish jungler is simply one of the best players we've had in LEC these last years. His regular season wasn't fantastic, but back to back 1st all-pro team appearances surely do say something about his skill. Elyoya is passionate and a real leader, so I'm confident he'll be able to lead MAD to better performances again. As they've done time and time again, whenever they're doubted the most.

Can the tenacious MAD Lions get back up in time or will XL's positive momentum get the better of them?

Group B - Match 2

Fnatic

SK Gaming

It's been a hard year for Fnatic fans, up until Summer. Adding Trymbi and Noah to the roster has turned out fantastically for them. Everyone looks on the same page and they bring daring gameplay to the table. The belief is there that they can actually go all the way and win their first LEC title since 2018. (Like XL, they need a high finish to make Season Finals and potentially Worlds.) So far this new Fnatic iteration has only lost to G2 and... SK. For them it's been an up and down year. In winter they surprised everyone by finishing 4th place, in Spring they started strong, but fell off and went out early after losing both their Bo3s 0-2. This Summer they had to sweat until the final weekend to guarantee top 8, but they're here now and the only way is up. Fnatic is a formidable opponent, but they've literally just taken them down in Bo1. When this SK roster is on, one can never count them out.

Players to Watch

JUNGLE

Razork

Fnatic

$182

BOTLANE

Noah

Fnatic

$182

TOPLANE

Irrelevant

SK Gaming

$195

JUNGLE

Markoon

SK Gaming

$187

There is no way to get around Noah. The young Korean ADC, formerly on KT Rolster, has entered the LEC with a bang. After 9 games he leads the KDA rankings by miles and miles with an insane 22.2 KDA. Noah clearly has no trouble adapting to the league or his team and has been a reliable carry for Fnatic. Obligatory shout-out to support Trymbi, who after coming over from KOI, found his good form again and works well together with Noah. He also brough much-needed direction to the team. Trymbi's shotcalling lifted some of the pressure off of Razork's shoulders, who thrives again now. The jungler has been playing as arguably the best in his role so far and sits top 3 across most stats. Him facing off against Markoon ought to be interesting.

SK's jungler really is the heart of that team. Whenever Markoon performs well, SK can go toe to toe with the best. In Winter he was rightfully awarded 3rd all-pro because of it. Once again he was crucial to SK making top 8 this split. On the last 2 days he went deathless with 13 and 19 KDAs. Now General Markoon is looking to lead SK to another top 4 finish. And while Markoon is the obvious driving force behind SK, it's often toplaner Irrelevant who quitely does the dirty work. Even though he's been in the league for just about a year, Irrelevant's growth has been remarkable. Even without tons of experience he's already a very complete toplaner and can compete with the best. Currently leading in DMG/min and top 3 in CS/min and gold/min. Tanks or carries, you name it, he'll play it.

So is this the return of the dominant force that is Fnatic or will SK tell us another underdog story?

‎‎ ‎ Conclusion

This marks the end for this week, we hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to tune into the LEC Group Stage live on Saturday. Things are about to get really interesting as many games will even have consequences on who can qualify for Season Finals, which in turn affects Worlds qualification. Until next week!

Remember that there's still a few more days to reassemble your Fantasy Team for the group stage! When in doubt, consider using one of the highlighted players here, especially when you're picking your captain. And if things don't go according to plan, don't hesitate to use a Sell-token! Extra reminder that you can always change your captain in between game days, so you can maximize your points gain. Additionally, take note that this time there won't be a wipe-phase between the group stage and playoffs because of the small player pool and only 24h between stages. Sell tokens will refresh though so don't worry if some of your players get knocked out in groups!

Credits go to LoL.fandom Wiki for their collection of player portraits, up-to-date statistics, overviews and all-around fantastic work documenting LoL esports.

[quote=Silverman43][table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Group Stage Format Preview[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] Just like last 2 splits, the 8 teams qualified for the group stage have been drawn into 2 groups as seen below. Our top 2 teams of the regular season, G2 and Fnatic, have chosen KOI and SK as their opponents for the first round respectively. Each team will have to win 2 series in order to advance to the playoff stage. There is the safety net of lower bracket, so losing your first match still gives you a chance at making it to playoffs. All matches are Bo3s, so drafting and quick adaptability become extra important in order to advance. Every game counts, but only 2 teams will make it through from each group. On paper group A is especially interesting as all 4 teams have shown to be strong at several points the past few weeks and months. Spring finalists BDS vs the up and coming revamped Team Heretics. Alongside modern classic G2 and KOI, who have played 2 Bo3s already this year. In group B we'll see just how good XL actually is or whether MAD can step up when it matters the most again. Also Fnatic facing off against the team they lost to last week. Bangers guaranteed! [center] [table] [tr height=30][td colspan=14][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 1[/size][/b][/center][/td][td colspan=3][/td][td width=150 colspan=4 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=6][b]Group A[/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/DeN13Jp.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=12][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↘[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 3[/size][/b][/center][/td][td colspan=9][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M1[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td width=150 colspan=3 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=3]Playoffs Qualification[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M2[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↘[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↗[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=4][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M3[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/bzFmPRP.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M1[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td width=150 colspan=3 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=3]Playoffs Qualification[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 2[/size][/b][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M4[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M2[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 5[/size][/b][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 4[/size][/b][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=5][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 1[/size][/b][/center][/td][td colspan=3][/td][td width=150 colspan=4 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=6][b]Group B[/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=12][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↘[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 3[/size][/b][/center][/td][td colspan=9][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M1[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td width=150 colspan=3 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=3]Playoffs Qualification[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=28][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M2[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↘[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]↗[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=4][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M3[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td width=50 bgcolor=#162645][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=40][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M1[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td width=150 colspan=3 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=3]Playoffs Qualification[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 2[/size][/b][/center][/td][td width=50][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 colspan=2 width=100][center][size=5]VS[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]-[/size][/center][/td][td width=50][center][size=6]→[/size][/center][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Winner M4[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td colspan=2 bgcolor=#162645][center][size=4]Loser M2[/size][/center][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=50][center][size=5]0[/size][/center][/td][td][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 5[/size][/b][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=50][td colspan=3][/td][td bgcolor=#152034 width=100 colspan=2][center][b][size=4]Match 4[/size][/b][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=30][td colspan=5][/td][/tr] [/table] [/center] [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Group Stage Week 1 Preview[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]Group A - Match 1[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [right] [td width=300 vertical-align=center][right] [size=7][b]Team Heretics[/b][/size][right][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/DeN13Jp.png height=75][/center][/td] [td width=70 vertical-align=center][center][size=6][b]VS[/b][/size][/center][/td] [td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=75][/center][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=300 vertical-align=center][left] [size=7][b]Team BDS[/b][/size][/left][/td] [/tr] [/table] We'll be starting off the group stage with an interesting clash between Team BDS and Team heretics. BDS most famously went 2-0 up in Spring finals before ultimately getting reverse-swept by MAD Lions. Their regular season now has been hot and cold, starting off rather weak to the split, but gradually showing glimpses of the power that got them 2nd place again. Question remains whether BDS' straightforward drake-stacking and scaling playstyle has been figured out, as some teams already showed answers. Heretics on the other hand return to Bo3s after finishing 9th in Spring. Since the addition of Flakked and Vetheo to the roster, they have clearly improved. They have consistently beat the teams below them (bar KOI), including BDS. The upcoming matches will give more insight into whether Heretics can push further upwards and actually challenge the likes of G2 and Fnatic. [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=4]Players to Watch[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [responsive][row justify-content=center align-items=center] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #d4a01f" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/aQyqQwd.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]MIDLANE[/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/1/10/XL_Vetheo_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#d4a01f][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Vetheo[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/b/bf/Team_Hereticslogo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]Team Heretics[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$185[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #d4a01f" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]BOTLANE[/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/c/c8/HRTS_Flakked_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#d4a01f][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Flakked[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/b/bf/Team_Hereticslogo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]Team Heretics[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$191[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col width=10][/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0076" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]TOPLANE[/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=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0076][/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=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][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]$207[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ff0076" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]BOTLANE[/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=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ff0076][/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=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ncIuiAG.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][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]$212[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [/row] [/responsive] It has been a redemption story in multiple ways for Heretics after their early exit in Spring. For new additions Vetheo and Flakked this is also true. The French midlaner had a hard time on XL, but the former LEC MVP clearly still has the talent to compete with the best. He has been playing well again, and with one of the all-time best junglers Jankos at his side, Heretics have a solid core to play around. Flakked was rather surprisingly out of LEC the past year, despite a fairly good rookie year on G2. And so the young ADC went on to tear up the regional leagues the past few months. His remarkable performances led to his reunion with former G2 teammate Jankos. Back in LEC he just picked up where he left off with good gameplay. Flakked's matchup against Crownie should be something to look out for. The veteran BDS botlaner has been a standout performer all year long. So with the meta remaining botlane-centric, BDS will always have a clear win-condition down the botside. And whenever Crownie has resources, he will step up and carry. In addition one cannot get around Adam. Opinions differ about the French toplaner, with the unique champion pool such as [[olaf]], [[sett]] and [[darius]], but truth is that he has been besting most LEC toplaners this year. No one does better in terms of solo kills; Adam has 9 of them so far. I personally am very curious to see the matchup between Adam and Evi, with the latter having a rough time recently. Will Heretics set the first clear step towards playoffs (for the first time in their history) or will BDS rise up again in desperate search for that first LEC title? [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]Group A - Match 2[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [right] [td width=300 vertical-align=center][right] [size=7][b]G2 Esports[/b][/size][right][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/5YupRVh.png height=75][/center][/td] [td width=70 vertical-align=center][center][size=6][b]VS[/b][/size][/center][/td] [td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/bzFmPRP.png height=75][/center][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=300 vertical-align=center][left] [size=7][b]KOI[/b][/size][/left][/td] [/tr] [/table] Ready for the 3rd Bo3 between G2 and KOI? Last split KOI won the first match 2-1, though G2 won the second round 2-1 to end KOI's split. In Summer G2 has clearly looked like the better team so far. They seem to be on a mission after their rather disappointing Spring split, aiming for another LEC title. KOI will have to bring their A-game in order to best G2. Though it's certainly possible, and they've shown some great games the last week. Consistency is their biggest concern. Either way, both teams certainly do not lack skilled player. [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=4]Players to Watch[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [responsive][row justify-content=center align-items=center] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e81f24" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]TOPLANE[/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/5/54/G2_BrokenBlade_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e81f24][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]BrokenBlade[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/7/77/G2_Esportslogo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]G2 Esports[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$211[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e81f24" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/XsdpYZL.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][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/2/26/G2_Mikyx_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e81f24][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Mikyx[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/7/77/G2_Esportslogo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]G2 Esports[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$200[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col width=10][/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #581ab8" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]TOPLANE[/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/c/c3/KOI_Szygenda_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#581ab8][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Szygenda[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/a/a5/KOI_%28Spanish_Team%29logo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]KOI[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$193[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #581ab8" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/aQyqQwd.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]MIDLANE[/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/5/58/KOI_Larssen_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#581ab8][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Larssen[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/lolesports_gamepedia_en/images/a/a5/KOI_%28Spanish_Team%29logo_square.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]KOI[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$195[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [/row] [/responsive] We have to give it to him, BrokenBlade turned his play around. In Winter he was often considered the weakest part of the title-winning G2. In Spring he was outright criticized for his play. But at MSI he silenced all doubters as arguably the best individual performer of G2. The 'Topfather' has had plenty of good performances, even now he plays mostly weakside on things like [[k'sante]]. He will always show up during teamfights and his laning has been pretty good this split as well. He's currently the toplaner with the highest KDA! Regarding top players in their role, Mikyx is once again making a case for best support in the league. Considering how long he has been playing it's pretty impressive how he continues to show good form. A clear standout on the side of KOI has been Larssen. Though because of KOI's limited success this year, he does not often get the deserved respect for what is quietly a very solid year by the midlaner. When KOI wins, it's usually due to Larssen popping off. This split especially his [[neeko]] and [[tristana]] have been a treat to watch. Even though KOI went 4-5 in the regular season, Larssen hovers around top 3 across most statistics among midlaners. The other solo laner, Szygenda has likewise been solid. After he dragged KOI to Groups in Spring, he's had a bit of a quieter split so far, but still quite good. The amount of pressure '[b]TheShy[/b]genda' draws is huge alongside his high DPM as one of the few carry toplaners in the league. He also currently ranks 2nd in solokills with 6 solo bolos. The toplane matchup could be quite the spectacle if both of these gentlemen get their hands on something volatile. Which part of history will repeat itself? Will G2 continue their near-perfect run, or can KOI ramp-up enough to be a killjoy? [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]Group B - Match 1[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [right] [td width=300 vertical-align=center][right] [size=7][b]EXCEL[/b][/size][right][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.png height=75][/center][/td] [td width=70 vertical-align=center][center][size=6][b]VS[/b][/size][/center][/td] [td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=75][/center][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=300 vertical-align=center][left] [size=7][b]MAD Lions[/b][/size][/left][/td] [/tr] [/table] This should be a very interesting matchup. XL finally made top 8 - top 3 even - after 2 splits of disappointment. The roster changes have finally paid off; Korean youngster Peach replacing Xerxe in the jungle, Abbedagge formally taking Vetheo's spot as the starting midlaner and LIMIT who replaced Targamas after Winter already. If XL wants to have any chance at making Season finals and thus Worlds, they need to make a deep run this split. Their regular season showed promise, though we have to wonder just how far this team can go when faced with Bo3s or Bo5s. And if there's one team that has stepped up time and time again during these stages, it's MAD Lions. After starting 4-0 to the split, they lost 5 games in a row. Crisis or just MAD things? Last split they had to play a tiebreaker vs Heretics to even make Groups. Then they were a few auto attacks away from being knocked out by Fnatic, before eventually ramping up all the way to winning 3 Bo5s and becoming champions. So how good are these teams really? Could this be the start of another miracle run? [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=4]Players to Watch[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [responsive][row justify-content=center align-items=center] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ffffff" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]TOPLANE[/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/XL_Odoamne_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ffffff][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Odoamne[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]EXCEL[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$181[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ffffff" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]BOTLANE[/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/1/1f/XL_Patrik_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ffffff][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Patrik[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/uTTwXWc.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]EXCEL[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$183[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col width=10][/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e0c061" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/tSXz5QB.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][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/7/71/MAD_Elyoya_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e0c061][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Elyoya[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]MAD Lions[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$201[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #e0c061" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]BOTLANE[/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/b1/MAD_Carzzy_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#e0c061][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Carzzy[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/wSk4dEF.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]MAD Lions[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$197[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [/row] [/responsive] Odoamne needs no introduction. The Romanian toplaner has been playing in the league for almost 10 years now. While his individual level this year wasn't bad at all, he went down with the sinking ship that was XL the past 2 splits. Now things have finally gone XL's way again, it's time to appreciate how Odo is such a sturdy rock to this team. Usually he'll be on tank duty to sacrifice himself for the team, but he'll do well on something with more agency as well. Like his [[kennen]] last week for example. Odoamne's experience could prove invaluable going into the stressful Bo3 (and eventually Bo5?) stage. XL can also count on Patrik to carry the team. He has been a very solid botlaner for years now, despite being on mediocre rosters at times. His return to form has been crucial to XL's resurgence this split. During difficult moments Carzzy tends to be one of MAD's best performing members. Last split he dragged MAD to top 8 kicking and screaming. He has always stood up internationally too, at MSI and Worlds 2021 most notably. Even though MAD went 4-5 now, Carzzy leads in DMG/min and CS/min among LEC ADCs. And MAD is actually known for being a topside focused team usually. Quite the achievement considering the current ADC pool in Europe is stacked. Next I'd like to talk about Elyoya. Again. It's just that the Spanish jungler is simply one of the best players we've had in LEC these last years. His regular season wasn't fantastic, but back to back 1st all-pro team appearances surely do say something about his skill. Elyoya is passionate and a real leader, so I'm confident he'll be able to lead MAD to better performances again. As they've done time and time again, whenever they're doubted the most. Can the tenacious MAD Lions get back up in time or will XL's positive momentum get the better of them? [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=5]Group B - Match 2[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [table] [tr] [right] [td width=300 vertical-align=center][right] [size=7][b]Fnatic[/b][/size][right][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/7fnXiXJ.png height=75][/center][/td] [td width=70 vertical-align=center][center][size=6][b]VS[/b][/size][/center][/td] [td width=100 vertical-align=center][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=75][/center][/td][td width=15][/td][td width=300 vertical-align=center][left] [size=7][b]SK Gaming[/b][/size][/left][/td] [/tr] [/table] It's been a hard year for Fnatic fans, up until Summer. Adding Trymbi and Noah to the roster has turned out fantastically for them. Everyone looks on the same page and they bring daring gameplay to the table. The belief is there that they can actually go all the way and win their first LEC title since 2018. (Like XL, they need a high finish to make Season Finals and potentially Worlds.) So far this new Fnatic iteration has only lost to G2 and... SK. For them it's been an up and down year. In winter they surprised everyone by finishing 4th place, in Spring they started strong, but fell off and went out early after losing both their Bo3s 0-2. This Summer they had to sweat until the final weekend to guarantee top 8, but they're here now and the only way is up. Fnatic is a formidable opponent, but they've literally just taken them down in Bo1. When this SK roster is on, one can never count them out. [table][tr][td padding=10px width=900 bgcolor=#152034][b][size=4]Players to Watch[/size][/b][/td][/tr][/table] [responsive][row justify-content=center align-items=center] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/tSXz5QB.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][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=145][/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=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=17][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][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]$182[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #fe5900" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/P5LdG0V.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]BOTLANE[/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=145][/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=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/ONwzvtU.png height=17][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][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]$182[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col width=10][/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ffffff" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/w9EsS8G.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][b][color=#ffffff]TOPLANE[/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/5/5e/SK_Irrelevant_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ffffff][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Irrelevant[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]SK Gaming[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$195[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [col margin=5px] [table width=210 bgcolor=#091120 border="2px solid #ffffff" border-radius=15px padding=5][tr] [td][center][img=https://i.imgur.com/tSXz5QB.png width=30][/center][/td][/tr] [tr][td][center][size=5][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/e/e8/SK_Markoon_2023_Split_1.png height=145][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=2][td bgcolor=#ffffff][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]Markoon[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][table][tr][td][img=https://i.imgur.com/1whtSNS.png height=20][/td][td width=5][/td][td][size=4][b][color=#00000]SK Gaming[/color][/b][/size][/td][/tr][/table][/center][/td][/tr] [tr height=35][td padding=5 bgcolor=#152034][center][size=5][b][color=#00000]$187[/color][/b][/size][/center][/td][/tr] [/table] [/col] [/row] [/responsive] There is no way to get around Noah. The young Korean ADC, formerly on KT Rolster, has entered the LEC with a bang. After 9 games he leads the KDA rankings by miles and miles with an insane 22.2 KDA. Noah clearly has no trouble adapting to the league or his team and has been a reliable carry for Fnatic. Obligatory shout-out to support Trymbi, who after coming over from KOI, found his good form again and works well together with Noah. He also brough much-needed direction to the team. Trymbi's shotcalling lifted some of the pressure off of Razork's shoulders, who thrives again now. The jungler has been playing as arguably the best in his role so far and sits top 3 across most stats. Him facing off against Markoon ought to be interesting. SK's jungler really is the heart of that team. Whenever Markoon performs well, SK can go toe to toe with the best. In Winter he was rightfully awarded 3rd all-pro because of it. Once again he was crucial to SK making top 8 this split. On the last 2 days he went deathless with 13 and 19 KDAs. Now General Markoon is looking to lead SK to another top 4 finish. And while Markoon is the obvious driving force behind SK, it's often toplaner Irrelevant who quitely does the dirty work. Even though he's been in the league for just about a year, Irrelevant's growth has been remarkable. Even without tons of experience he's already a very complete toplaner and can compete with the best. Currently leading in DMG/min and top 3 in CS/min and gold/min. Tanks or carries, you name it, he'll play it. So is this the return of the dominant force that is Fnatic or will SK tell us another underdog story? [table] [tr] [td width=900 bgcolor=162645] [size=6][b]‎‎ ‎ Conclusion[/b][/size] [/td] [/tr] [/table] This marks the end for this week, we hope you enjoyed it! Don't forget to tune into the LEC Group Stage live on Saturday. Things are about to get really interesting as many games will even have consequences on who can qualify for Season Finals, which in turn affects Worlds qualification. Until next week! Remember that there's still a few more days to reassemble your Fantasy Team for the group stage! When in doubt, consider using one of the highlighted players here, especially when you're picking your captain. And if things don't go according to plan, don't hesitate to use a Sell-token! Extra reminder that you can always change your captain in between game days, so you can maximize your points gain. Additionally, take note that this time there won't be a wipe-phase between the group stage and playoffs because of the small player pool and only 24h between stages. Sell tokens will refresh though so don't worry if some of your players get knocked out in groups! 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]

Thanks to @ Jovy for the signature!

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