Hope For Fnatic: LEC Week 3 Day 1 Recap
In our final week of the LEC Spring Split regular season, the parity of the league could not be any more apparent. Before any matches were played, we had four teams tied for the first place position as well as four teams tied for last. Two teams walk away in high spirits as G2 and BDS have both punched their ticket to the next round.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot GamesHERETICS vs. ASTRALIS (0-1)
Astralis mid laner LIDER treated fans with a champion many haven't seen for a while in professional play, Zed. But as this season has shown, the game revolves entirely around the bot side of the map. Kobbe and JeongHoon had a masterclass performance along with some help from 113, setting their Jinx up for a monster late-game. While Heretics slayed the dragon at 22:00, Astralis cleverly snuck the Baron before they could react and the game was subsequently done and dusted. Astralis improve to 4-3, as Heretics drop to 2-5.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot GamesKOI vs. EXCEL (1-0)
We got our first glimpse at EXCEL's mid season replacement Abbedagge and his Gragas looked solid. The team looked more cohesive overall. Even securing an Ocean Soul at a swift 26:00 as well as a Baron just a few minutes later. But EXCEL struggled to siege KOI's base. Unfortunately, catastrophe struck at the first Elder Dragon fight. KOI's bot laner Comp managed to clean up an awkward engage from EXCEL with his three-item Zeri. However KOI themselves also couldn't end the game decisively so the game would be decided by a second Elder Dragon battle. KOI's jungler Malrang stole the powerful buff right in front of EXCEL's eyes and KOI proceeded to win the team fight and the game. They walk away with a 4-3 record and EXCEL are forced to accept their heartbreaking 2-5 record.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot GamesVITALITY vs. BDS (0-1)
Vitality managed to obtain an early gold lead. However their heavy AD composition couldn't penetrate through Adam's Malphite enough to snowball that lead. Perkz and Upset left a lot to be desired. As much as Vitality seems better individually, it's hard not to recognize some of the same issues that plagued them last season. The super team was up 9K gold at 37:00, but BDS gambled a Baron fight and somehow walked away with the buff and a few members remaining. A botched engage and a questionable re-engage from Upset, allowed BDS to walk down mid and end the game due to the long death-timers and the previously mentioned Baron buff. BDS are now tied with G2 at 5-2, while Vitality are just below them at 4-3.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot GamesFNATIC vs. MAD LIONS (1-0)
Despite MAD Lions claiming a few early objectives, Rekkles managed to earn two kills on Jinx before 15:00. Propelling him closer to the late-game menace that Jinx is known to be. MAD Lions were aware of this and pivoted their strategy to locking down Rekkles whenever possible. But Fnatic's new top laner Oscarinin showed up big on his Olaf pick and ran through the back line of MAD Lions while they attempted to shut down the Jinx. Oscarinin ended the game with a 8/0/8 scoreline and a 700g bounty. Fnatic improve to 3-4 while MAD Lions drop to 2-5.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
SK GAMING vs. G2 ESPORTS (1-0)
G2 were able to withstand the early lead that SK garnered for themselves. They put their resources into BrokenBlade's Cho'Gath as well as Caps's Jayce. This proved to be the correct decision. A dysfunctional team fight from SK at 19:00 led to a cleanup from G2 that swung the game in their favor. The ginormous front line that this Cho'Gath provided showed why teams have loved picking it into Sion. It seems to provide the same value, if not better. G2 macro was pristine from there on out and the Jayce pick made sure SK could never contest objectives. G2 end the day tied for first at 5-2 with SK just underneath at 4-3.
CURRENT LEC STANDINGS
Leaderboard for LEC Spring Split 2023 Week 3, Day 1. Image capture from Strafe Esports.
Image Sources: Riot Games / LoL Esports