In Week 3 of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC), G2 Esports (G2) went up against teams: Rogue Gaming (RGE) and Fnatic (FNC).
vs Rogue Gaming (3-1)
Numbers
The kills were very close: 20 to 15, in G2’s favor. G2 grabbed seven towers and RGE took four of their own. But, due to G2 being able to snag five dragons, the Dragon Soul and the Elder Dragon, and RGE got just one, allowing G2 to get their victory. RGE sneaked in a Baron steal, but were not able to use it to bring the game to their side.
Highlights
RGE is a formidable opponent, and banned G2’s Lucian, Elise, and Thresh (G2’s top champs from Week 2). Heading into the draft, the casters announced, “Can Rogue pull off an upset?” To prove them wrong, G2 got first blood when Luka “PERKZ” Perkovic with Sett when he played a very early gank to the bot lane and took out Oskar “Vander” Bogdan at just level 4!
Inversely to G2’s regular play style, the game was at 2-1 (kill count) until 23 minutes into the match, when the first major team battle occurred. Much of the game features PERKZ making solo approaches to RGE’s team to execute boss level collapses with the Boss: Sett. Do not underestimate Sett’s Showstopper.
RGE turned G2’s confidence into their weakness. Emil “Larssen” Larsson’s high damage and ability to outplay PERKZ, with LeBlanc, caused G2 to incur losses mid fight. Kacper “Inspired” Sloma added by making strong plays with Lee Sin, like kicking Wunder into Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle’s Nautilus to block a hook. But skill overcame outplay, G2 was too aggressive.
MVP
MVP goes to Wunder and his Soraka. Caps came in second with his Aphelios providing major around 5k damage in team fights. Everyone; the casters, the fans, RGE, knew who to kill first on G2: Soraka. RGE’s Finn “Finn” Wiestal mentioned that the team over committed onto Soraka for most of the game. And in the one fight where PERKZ and Caps were split from Wunder caused the biggest loss for G2. For the other fights, PERKZ and Caps rarely died and were able to head into battle relentlessly due to the healing. Wunder continues to prove that a scaled up Soraka top lane is dangerous.
vs Fnatic (4-1)
“Fnatic is the best team we’ll play against so far.” – Wunder
Featured in the Match of the Week again, G2 faced FNC in a very close game of outplays. This match was special due to the Caps vs MAartin “Rekkles” Larsson rivalry narrative.
Numbers
G2 scored another victory making for a 6-0 (win/loss) win streak. Kills were in G2’s usual favor, 25-9, leading to eight towers for G2 and one for FNC. Dragons were two for G2 and three for FNC and a Baron Buff for G2.
Highlights
First Blood went to Wunder, after a teleport to the bot lane to assist a dying Caps; he kills Rekkles and allows Caps to pick off Zdravets “Hylissang” Iliev Galabov. The G2 early game was to have as many bot side ganks as feasible, with five gank plays made by 8 minutes by PERKZ. Caps was able to take advantage of Senna’s perfectly timed Dawning Shadows to provide team-wide shields during battles.
FNC played very well during the game, matching G2’s aggressive style and trying to get many ambushes. Both teams had two Teleports, so the match went back and forth with excellent outplays and decisive team battles – the goal was to get ready for the next team battle before the other team could.
Over-committing was a flaw both teams had, yet G2 is more experienced in all-in playing; especially from their play in the League of Legends Worlds Championship 2019 matches.
MVP
PERKZ takes MVP for this game with his Ryze plays. Ryze’s Realm Warp acting as a third Teleport for G2 allowed for early game ganks to push Wunder and Caps ahead. By the time the team battles started, PERKZ was usually splitting from his team and attacking the back line while the front line was busy with the rest of G2, allowing for high Crowd Control and damage in each fight, allowing Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski or Caps to pick up the kills.
Week 4
vs Misfits Gaming (4-2)
After a rocky start, Misfits Gaming (MSF) has settled nicely, tied for 2nd place. Veteran Fabian “Febiven” Diepstraten says he is the limiter for his rookies’ wild plays; keeping them in control. While they are very adaptable, they are not as adaptable as G2, the very reason they did not make playoffs last year. Next week will show if the new composition can continue their lead.
vs FC Schalke 04 Esports (0-6)
Every time it looks like the team can win, the team falters in the late game with questionable battles and objective priorities. In MSF vs S04 this week, there were moments of the team holding back their ultimate abilities. Here’s another important fact: there were a lot of missed skill-shots. Can’t make plays when the team is relying on abilities to land.
The player to focus on is Konstantinos-Napoleon “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou. The other players are known to be decent to great and are capable of making strong plays for their teams. FORG1VEN – is he still amazing, or will fans have to forgive him for his mistakes? The individual talent in the team is great, but if he doesn’t step up, G2 will smash the whole team down.
For more on G2 Esports content or other LoL esports content, check out Mani’s other articles here.
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