League of Legends fans might not be screaming in the LEC studio in Berlin, but the hype is still palpable as we approach the final week of the 2020 Summer Split.
Many teams are tied in the standings, with some squads’ hopes and dreams separated by only one or two games. Some former champions have fallen to the wayside while new, younger powerhouses have risen up to take their place in the hierarchy of the European League scene.
Every team still has a chance to make the playoffs and qualify for Worlds, but only six of the region’s best will move forward after this weekend. Here are some of the biggest storylines to watch out for when the final LEC super week begins.
The crown can only belong to one
MAD Lions and Rogue have both been battling for the No. 1 spot in Europe since the start of the summer—and their race to the finish line hasn’t slowed down since then. Each team has looked strong throughout the split, sporting their own unique flair that hasn’t been figured out by the rest of the pack.
The last time these two top teams faced each other, the MAD Lions’ hungry pride feasted. Creativity is one of their biggest strong suits and their expert teamfighting was on display in their week three matchup. But both teams will have one more chance to best each other on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Although both teams have already locked in a postseason spot, these matches will be huge for their confidence and for momentum heading into the playoffs. Rogue and MAD Lions are actually coming off a couple of off weeks where the former lost to SK Gaming and the latter fell to a struggling Team Vitality.
It’ll be fun to see if MAD Lions decide to experiment a bit with their drafts—like a Sona-Lux bottom lane—or if they’ll keep some of their secret picks hidden for the playoffs. Rogue, on the other hand, will need to lock in and hone their great early-game focused playstyle to tear away the game from their opponents quickly.
Fallen Kings
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
If we look back throughout Europe’s competitive League history, there have only been two consistent names that have shown up in the finals every single season. G2 Esports vs. Fnatic has always been the marquee matchup that pundits look forward to watching. But this season, both teams have disappointed fans over and over again.
G2, for example, haven’t looked nearly as dominant as they did in 2019. They’re tied for third place alongside SK Gaming with an 8-7 record. In comparison, G2 only lost 12 games throughout the entire 2019 LEC Spring and Summer Splits, including the playoffs.
The defending LEC and MSI champions have shown quick flashes of brilliance and multiple teams still believe they’ll be difficult to beat in a best-of-five setting. But G2 must first reach the playoffs to get a chance to prove themselves.