EU LCS Week 2 Review
Two weeks into the EU LCS and the standings show that for the big teams, things have not exactly gone to plan, while several of the sides predicted to struggle are performing well above expectations.
Let’s take a look at the standings:
| 1. | Elements | 3W – 1L |
| 1. | G2 Esports | 3W – 1L |
| 1. | Team Vitality | 3W – 1L |
| 1. | Unicorns of Love | 3W – 1L |
| 1. | H2K | 3W – 1L |
| 6. | Fnatic | 2W – 2L |
| 7. | Origen | 1W – 3L |
| 7. | ROCCAT | 1W – 3L |
| 7. | Splyce | 1W – 3L |
| 10. | Giants | 0W – 4L |
The biggest story in the EU LCS has to be the poor performance of Origen. Last year’s semi-finalists at the World Championship have had a torrid time from the outset of the Spring Split. While other teams chopped and changed – swapping rosters around and having to integrate new players – Origen’s only transfer was to bring in former Unicorn PowerOfEvil in a move most analysts heralded as a strong piece of business.
One thing to be highlighted is the performance of Zven. The marksman is known as an exceptional Kalista player and is able to use the dashes of Kindred to similar effect, but his performances on other AD Carries have highlighted a potential weakness in his champion pool. His Ezreal and Lucian games both resulted in a score of 2/4/3, bringing his overall K/D/A down to 3.00.
It’s worth noting however that the team have had a tough run of fixtures so far and so it’s still way too early to be writing Origen off.
While Fnatic’s performance so far has not been quite as disastrous, anyone hoping that they could simply slot two new players in to replace Huni and Reignover was given a reality check. While Gamsu’s opening performance against Origen as Olaf was spectacular as he went 9/1/3, his performances for the rest of the weekend suggested he may struggle to fill Huni’s boots.
Communication in team fights is a problem too, with several of Spirit’s initiations falling flat in Week One, which is perhaps the reason why he played two damage orientated Junglers in Week Two.
If they can improve on their communication, Fnatic still have the individual players to make the difference. Rekkles has started the Split well with a K/D/A of 4.83, with Febiven’s unselfish Lissandra play helping his AD Carry pick up the kills.
The team who can be happiest with their start so far is H2K. While five teams are riding high in the table with records of 3W – 1L, H2K are the side who have played arguably the toughest matches so far, beating Origen, G2 and Giants, losing only to Fnatic. Key to their start has been FORG1VEN – the Greek ADC has long been touted as one of the EU’s premier talents, but one LCS regular season with SK Gaming aside, he has never been on a top team. He has started the Spring Split in spectacular fashion with 20 kills and 1 death (the most kills and the fewest deaths) in the first four matches, putting his K/D/A at a formidable 36.00.
Down at the bottom of the standings, spare a thought for poor Giants Gaming. With their 0-4 record, they will need to improve significantly if they are to retain an LCS spot. Poor positioning in team fights has cost them dearly, with Mid Laner Xpepii looking crushed after their collapse against Elements, whose own excellent start has defied expectations. Next week they take on Splyce, whose squad of LCS newcomers has struggled so far. If Giants are to recover from a disappointing opening fortnight, then they’ll need to start winning those kinds of games and quickly.
For Elements the performances of crowd favourite Steve in the Top Lane have been a highlight. The constant cries of ‘Steeeeve!’ from the audience may have started out as a joke, but his K/D/A of 3.80 suggests he’s anything but.
The pick of next week’s games includes a bottom of the table clash between Splyce and Giants. Both teams will be targeting a win here and for Giants it’s vital that they don’t fall even further behind their closest rivals. Elsewhere, check out Vitality v H2K – a match that’s interesting not just for their closeness in the standings but because it is always fascinating to see former team-mates play against each other. Perhaps H2K’s former Bot Lane partnership of Hjarnan and kaSing will come back to haunt them.
Dafabet will be offering odds on the LCS event.
