MSI: EU with its back to the wall

By
Flo
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With G2 Esports and MAD Lions, two European teams made it to the Bracket Stage of the Mid-Season Invitational. But the start went anything but well.

First the good news for all LEC fans: At least two more games with European participation will be played at the currently running MSI.

The negative? Both will definitely take place in the lower bracket.

Because both Gen.G (vs. G2) and T1 (vs. MAD) were clearly too strong for the representatives of the European region at the start of the second phase of the Mid-Season Invitational taking place in London.

EU international: disillusionment spreads

G2, who as the second seed of the LEC had played their way into the main round via the play-in stage, still had the better performance. The team around superstar Rasmus “Caps” Winther managed to win at least one game in a 3-1 loss to reigning Korean LCK Spring Split winner Gen.G.

Despite that, the difference was more than clear. Game two alone was a pure demonstration of Asian superiority. After just 19 minutes, the Europeans had to admit defeat. At least the morale was right, after all it was Game 3, which was played directly afterwards, that G2 could decide in their favor. But it was not enough for more.

The current LEC champions from the MAD Lions got it even worse. With 3:0 also the other Korean representative drove over a European team with T1. And this although the Lions nearly overran the squad around the LoL-GOAT Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok in the early game of the first match.

MAD managed to do virtually everything until they unnecessarily decided to attack Baron without much need in the 23rd minute. T1 in the person of jungler Hyeon “Oner” Moon stole the monster including the buff and initiated one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent competitive LoL history, which finally came true in the 34th minute.

After that, not much went right for the MAD Lions. On the contrary, T1 needed just 16 minutes and 47 seconds to win the third game – then the Lions’ nexus was destroyed. It was the second fastest game in MSI history.

The two European representatives will now continue in the Losers’ Bracket. Unfortunately, they meet there in a direct duel. Given the current gap to the (Korean) top level, this is probably the only reason why LEC fans will get to see at least two more games with EU participation. After that, however, it will most likely be over.

After the intra-European duel, the loser between Gen.G and T1 will be waiting in the next round.

And how this usually ends, the last two clashes between LEC and LCK have shown.