SK Gaming pulled off a huge upset against the dominating MAD Lions in a bloodbath that lasted over 28 minutes. With this victory, the European League of Legends team now holds a 7-6 record heading into week seven of the 2020 LEC Summer Split.
On his signature Ezreal pick, SK’s AD carry Crownshot played a crucial role in the team’s win, earning the Player of the Game award for the match.
.@SKGaming UPSET @MADLions_LoLEN! #LEC pic.twitter.com/O8DIWi6SSB
— LEC (@LEC) July 25, 2020
SK picked comfort champions for all their members, with Ezreal being the most notorious pick for Crownshot. Jungler Trick secured early objectives in dragons and Rift Heralds for his team, allowing them to snowball out of MAD’s control.
Even though MAD were ahead in kills, due to a poor management of waves they were behind on gold. The game was defined by a teamfight for a dragon, where SK came out ahead.
This fight set a clear path to SK’s victory since they were only one dragon away from the Ocean Dragon Soul. After they acquired the Soul, they won teamfight after teamfight. In the end, after a brawl around the 28-minute mark with a 10,000 gold lead, SK closed out the game.
SK Gaming have continued their streak of upsetting top-tier teams. Early in the season, they upset a dominating G2 Esports as well.
SK have another tough opponent next week, where they will face the second-place team in LEC’s Summer Split standings Rogue. If they can defeat Rogue, they secure a clear path to a possible LEC Championship title.
In the off-season SK Gaming made some big changes to its League of Legends starting roster and coaching staff after a disappointing end to their 2020 Spring Split, including the addition of a new mid laner and head coach.
Janik “Jenax” Bartels will role swapped from mid lane to top. This decision was made because the 21-year-old “can confidently say that this swap will enable [him] to show [his] potential”. Meanwhile, the team has signed Dirk “ZaZee” Mallner to take his previous spot. ZaZee is a rookie who last played for BIG Clan in the Prime League.
“Since the LEC is one of the best leagues in the world, it will take some time and a lot of work to catch up with the top teams,” ZaZee said. “However, as a short term goal, I am aspiring to get to the playoffs as an underdog which is where I find myself most comfortable.”