Once again, the Berlin-based League of Legends EMEA Championship Series has kicked off the new season. The first matchday already had some exciting insights to offer
In terms of spectator numbers alone, the LEC got off to a perfect start. At its peak, more than 640,000 people watched the colorful hustle and bustle of the top league players, who competed against each other on a once again changed Rift.
In addition to familiar names such as G2 Esports and Fnatic, eyes were also on returning Rogue, the virtually new team GIANTX – formerly known as EXCEL – and the French team Karmine Corp.
In the end, however, it was a completely different team that came out on top undefeated.
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Day 3 of LEC Winter 2024 is now LIVE!
– LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
Dominance from Cologne – SK Gaming
While G2 and Fnatic got off to a good start at the weekend and both teams were able to send their opponents to the boards, SK Gaming set out to do the same to the two league hotshots. In fact, SK overtook the two presumed title contenders at the end of the third match last night and thus kept a clean slate, at least until the second matchday. G2 lost their duel with league returnees Rogue, although Rogue had previously struggled against SK Gaming (Saturday) and then Team Heretics (Sunday)
Fnatic, on the other hand, secured their first win against newcomer Karmine Corp. on Saturday. The second French team, Team Vitality, also had no chance against FNC. It was only on Monday, when Fnatic and SK Gaming met in the first real top match of the season, that Oh “Noah” Hyeon-taek, Marek “Humanoid” Brazda and Co. had to admit defeat to the now sole leaders.
The LEC standings after Week 1! pic.twitter.com/ou3lyXQvIR
– LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
In general, however, the LEC is looking at a well-mixed midfield in which every team still has the opportunity to qualify for the playoffs of the current Winter Split in the coming weeks. Alongside Fnatic and G2, MAD Lions KOI, Team BDS and Team Heretics have two wins and one loss each, while GIANTX and Rogue have once again lost out. Things take a darker turn when you look at 9th and 10th place
Double Frenchmen with a false start
Rarely has a team’s entry into the league been celebrated as frenetically as that of league newcomer Karmine Corp. Rumors have been circulating the web for years that the eSports organization founded by a French influencer could soon be part of the LEC. But fans have had to be put off time and time again – until now. The multiple LFL and EMEA Masters champion started the new season with high expectations … but have so far been unable to live up to them. They didn’t stand a chance against Fnatic, G2 Esports or MAD Lions KOI
MDKWIN @MADLIONSKOI DEFEAT @KARMINECORP! LEC pic.twitter.com/RmZEL3LAAC
– LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
The same picture emerges for Team Vitality, which also hails from France. Despite experienced players such as Matyas “Carzzy” Orsag and Zdravets Illiev “Hylissang” Galabov, the bees were unable to turn their knowledge into victories. As a result, Vitality and KCorp are in last place in the LEC with three defeats each
The PENTAKILL for @Supa_LoL! LEC pic.twitter.com/v5PGLJmNg7
– LEC (@LEC) January 15, 2024
