Titans Collide: LEC Week 2, Day 1 Recap
Two undefeated teams walked onto the LEC stage today but only one team would leave smiling. Vitality versus SK Gaming headlined today’s matches, while other teams hoped to continue their momentum, and a few looked to bounce back entirely from a rough start to the LEC Spring Split.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
MAD LIONS vs. ASTRALIS (1-0)
After their Week 1 victories, Astralis could hold their heads high. But MAD Lions brought them back down to earth. The draft showed some comfort picks for both teams, but MAD Lions mid laner Nisqy proved that Gragas should be a permanent ban against him. MAD Lions played to their roam heavy identity and outpaced Astralis all over the map. Getting Chemtech Soul before 25:00, and suffocating Kobbe and JeongHoon in the bot lane. Easily the most impactful player, Nisqy, left the stage with a 5/0/9 scoreline and a 700G bounty. Both teams move on with a 2-2 scoreline.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
HERETICS vs. EXCEL (1-0)
Both of these teams were looking to recover from their rough Week 1 matches and pick up some momentum. Jankos had been playing great so far in spite of Heretics losses, and in this match he continued that pattern. EXCEL had a puzzling first ten minutes of the game, and Jankos shined as the rest of Heretics followed up on his plays. Evi provided some beefy-frontline on Sion and EXCEL struggled to claw their way back into the game, as only Vetheo’s Yone was able to reach the backline. Heretics cruised to a victory and both teams now hold a 1-3 game score heading into tomorrow’s matches.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
FNATIC vs. BDS (0-1)
Fnatic seems to have fallen on hard times, somehow having a rougher start than last split. This match versus BDS was a true disappointment. Fnatic managed to start the game on the right foot, getting their new top laner Oscarinin a massive lead on Jayce. However they couldn’t convert it into much during the mid game. BDS support Labrov got his hands on Blitzcrank alongside Crownie's Jinx, a risky yet genius counter-pick into the squishy Fnatic bot lane of Caitlyn plus Lux. This pressure truly denied Fnatic from converting their top side lead into anything, and Fnatic fell apart soon after. BDS move to 3-1, while Fnatic hold a daunting 0-4 start.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
VITALITY vs. SK GAMING (1-0)
Eyes were set on Vitality’s bot lane replacement, Upset, as he had yet to die this split. SK must’ve been thinking the same as they attempted an early dive onto the renowned marksman. However it fell short. Upset did die, but Perkz made sure to cover the dive with a teleport, cleaning up, and giving them an early lead. Vitality did what Fnatic couldn’t, translating that lead into objectives and tower plating. Both teams were proactive on the map and it made for a really refreshing game. In the end, SK seemed individually outclassed and now drop to a 3-1 record, while Vitality remains the only undefeated team in the LEC at 4-0.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
KOI vs. G2 ESPORTS (1-0)
The drafts have been interesting so far for LEC's longtime powerhouse G2, but today they picked a relatively normal team composition. G2's star ADC Hans Sama was subject to play Ashe, an extremely oppressive champ yet Hans was unable to find the play making ultimates that Ashe has become known for. KOI's mid laner Larssen pulled out Twisted Fate, a champ we haven't seen much this year. He was able to impact the side lanes and get Szygenda ahead on his Gnar pick. All hope was lost for a G2 victory at the fourth drake fight. Both teams were relatively even heading into it, but KOI executed their win conditions beautifully and destroyed the nexus just a few minutes later. Both teams move to an even 2-2 scoreline.
CURRENT LEC SPRING SPLIT STANDINGS (WEEK 2)
Leaderboard for LEC Spring Split 2023 Week 2, Day 1. Image capture from Strafe Esports.
Image Sources: Riot Games