The League of Legends European Championship returned for the fifth week with players on stage after a long while. This week featured more expected wins than upsets as most top teams strengthened their case for a playoff spot. Furthermore, G2 Esports snapped out of their losing streak, demolishing Rogue to end the week with a 2-0 record. With only three weeks left in the regular Split, the race for the LEC summer playoffs is almost coming to an end. The next seven games will be key for all teams, especially those currently at the bottom of the standings. With Week 5 of the LEC completed, below are the major takeaways from it all.
G2 may have woken up
After four straight losses, G2 bounced back with two incredible wins this week against Astralis and Rogue. These wins also marked their second 2-0 record week in the LEC summer split. G2’s performance for the past few weeks have been disappointing to watch given the quality of the roster. Despite the poor run they faced, many still had high hopes for the LEC Kings. With their Week 5 performance, G2 have rewarded the faithful who still believe in the team’s supremacy.
Their impressive win against Rogue showed that teams hardly stand a chance against them when they’re in form. G2 ended the game with an over 13,000 gold lead and lost only one tower. Moreover, Rogue only recorded one kill onto G2’s AD Carry, Martins “Rekkles” Larsson throughout the game. The early kill onto Rekkles only motivated him to close out the game with an 11/1/13 Kill/Death/Assist score line on the Tristana, thus becoming the first player in LEC history with 2,000 kills.
G2’s resurgence comes at the perfect time for them giving their position in the LEC standings. They must however maintain this momentum heading into Week 6 as they face off against Vitality and Fnatic.
More to Excel despite 0-2 record in Weeks 5 of the LEC
Although Excel Gaming ended their week with a 0-2 record loss, they are still a team to be wary of. Their losses against MAD Lions and Fnatic were very much near wins. In both games, Excel looked set to take down their opponents but faltered in the last team fights. The team has continued to improve since bringing on Henk “Advienne” Reijenga and Mark “Markoon” van Woensel. However, they must work on their late-game fights to avoid throwing games.
Fnatic slowly becoming the team to watch
Fnatic finished Week 5 of the LEC with a 2-0 record, moving up to first place in standings with Rogue. Compared to spring, Fnatic are definitely having a much better split. Moreover, all the team’s players, particularly Yasin “Nisqy” Dincer and Elias “Upset” Lipp, have been playing incredibly well. Upset currently holds the highest KDA ratio in the LEC at 9.4, while Nisqy’s 5.5 KDA is the second-best among LEC mid laners. Also, Fnatic’s support, Zdravets “Hylissang” Galabov tops the assists charts for all LEC players, according to Oracle’s Elixir.
Furthermore, in their win over Vitality, both Nisqy and Upset ended the game with eight kills each. Upset’s Tristana notched an 8/1/6 KDA with Nisqy’s Ryze pulling an impressive 8/2/10 KDA. Hylissang and Gabriel “Bwipo” Rau provided 15 assists each while Adam “Adam” Mannane was also a huge presence in the top lane and team fights. Fnatic have done a remarkable job in turning things around after their disappointing end in spring. Even though they still have a long way to go, they are turning into strong favorites in the LEC summer split.
While top teams continue to build momentum for playoffs, Schalke 04 and SK Gaming’s struggles continue. Both teams occupy the last two positions in the LEC standings and desperately need wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The LEC returns on July 16 at 12 p.m. ET with Misfits Gaming vs. Excel as the opener.
