LEC: Fnatic made an impression against BDS. G2 unexpectedly fell to MAD Lions KOI

LEC has started the last part of its season – Season Finals. The first round of matches, which will determine the best team of the season, also serves as a qualifier for Worlds. With one participant already assured (G2), the remaining five teams will battle it out for two spots at their home Worlds.

• Fnatic have regained their lost reputation
• G2 did not fulfil their role as favourites
• The Season Finals semifinal between Fnatic and MAD Lions KOI will also be for direct entry to Worlds

Fnatic make amends for their blast from the summer split

The first duel was a battle between Fnatic and Team BDS. Both teams went into the summer split in different positions. Fnatic wanted to make up for the bad impression from the final split against G2, which had earned them ridicule. The partially surrendered and disgraceful performance did not add to the European region’s calling card. On the other hand, the BDS players narrowly escaped the final and with a confident performance once again claimed the position of at least the European top three.

However, the series, which should not have had a favourite, showed the differences between the second and third-placed LEC teams. Fnatic took this series by storm and improved their reputation after the setback with G2. BDS came into the series clearly scalded and struggled to find an answer to their opponent’s macro or compositions.

Czech coach Nightshare prepared the team well and his charges executed their tactical plans to perfection. Every player, including the Czech Humanoid midshipman, had a good moment in the series and team morale with coordination seems to have been restored to the highest heights.

BDS, despite trying to show more in the LEC overtime, couldn’t sustain sustained pressure with exceptions. The 0:3 result from BDS’s point of view is a big warning for the French side. BDS are lucky enough to be able to make up for their setback next week against SK Gaming. However, they need to build on their playoff performance from the summer split to be able to think about advancing to the world elite again, and partly from a French perspective, the home Worlds.

G2 Esports failed to live up to their role as favourites and didn’t make it through the five-match drama

The second duel of the first round between G2 Esports and MAD Lions KOI perhaps didn’t have a clear favourite. G2, who had won all three splits this season and were the first to be assured of a Worlds berth, had to warm up against the maniacally playing Lions.

The MAD Lions had a pretty decent winter split crowned with a second place finish, losing in the final to G2 (1:3). The rest of the season the team had their work cut out for them to make the playoffs. Sixth and seventh place in the next two splits showed a significant crisis from which the team could not recover. The team eventually slipped into the Season Finals thanks to a great winter, but the overall impression was that the Spanish team would be able to pull itself together.

However, as is sometimes the case, when you least expect it, you get a hard direct. At first, everything went according to plan. G2 showed a considerable difference in performance, they played their traditional macro game very well, even the compositions had their logic. The first game showed what the series was going to be like.

But the MAD Lions have shown more than once in their history that they can go up against G2. The veteran Elyoya with his young talents pulled his team to a great battle. Hungry to make amends for a largely unsuccessful season, the team showed that they are not afraid of the LEC hegemon. The Spanish side managed to answer G2’s wins twice in the series and to the surprise of many, five games were again played.

Not only in the fifth game, but overall in the entire series, Myrwn was the key man for MAD. He trampled on G2’s ambitions with his grit and interesting picks. His performance also helped a lot psychologically. MAD outplayed their rivals 3:2 and sent a clear message to the others that they are still a force to be reckoned with. In their next match, they will challenge Fnatic for direct advancement to Worlds.

Source: Leaguepedia, LEC