We recap the strongest moments within the second day of Week 2 for the LEC Group stage.
One other spherical of spectacular video games graced the LEC’s Winter break up group stage as 4 extra groups duked it out for a shot at playoffs.
The 2023 Winter Group Stage Draw
Group A
Vitality
SK Gaming
Heretics
KOI
Group B
MAD Lions
G2 Esports
Workforce BDS
Astralis
How are the remainder of the match-ups determined? Following the brand new 2023 format for the EMEA League, the winners for Sport 1 & 2 will face off in an higher bracket match. The identical can be performed by the victors of the third and fourth match. Afterwards, all of the shedding groups compete in lower-bracket bo3’s. Those who win within the loser’s bracket can climb their approach again up for a spot within the Play-offs by defeating the losers from the higher bracket match-ups. With solely 8 high groups remaining, anticipate top-tier performs because the strongest groups within the LEC duke it out on Summoner’s Rift.
4 TEAMS, ONLY 2 PLAYOFF SPOTS LEFT:
The ultimate day of the #LEC Winter Group Stage begins NOW!
? https://t.co/n8Ev4bMoua pic.twitter.com/LgnRrL1FGX
— LEC (@LEC) February 19, 2023
Workforce Vitality vs SK Gaming
Sport 1
All bets had been off as SK’s infamous snowball potential went up in opposition to Vitality’s expertise.
Markoon’s pathing on high let SK get the higher deal in an early sport toplane 1-for-1 commerce. After that, Vitality hit again in a double-roam effort with their crew’s jungler AND Kaiser’s assist Alistar on high lane. Presenting one other united entrance of their botlane presence prevented SK Gaming from making aggressive strikes. Exakick’s failed tower dive and a chaotic begin to the sport gave their opponents a cushty 2k lead. With massive goal kills, getting Herald meant securing plates on the sidelanes whereas Bo’s Elise continued to rack up kills. SK gave up a midlane turret to reset, however Vitality nonetheless targeted on stopping their opponent any likelihood to snowball regardless of an unlimited gold deficit.
A tense midgame ensued as each groups slowed the tempo to play defensively. The expertise of LEC veterans like Perkz actually shined in Vitality’s exact macroplay. Photon’s barrel chains with Gangplank deterred SK from participating them face-to-face. The underdogs needed to be cautious previous the 20-minute energy spike. Resorting to isolating enemy champs, their warning paid off after they performed sensible across the first Baron. Whereas the blue aspect was in a position to steal Nashor, they fed SK sufficient kills to nearly shut the kill hole. The evident 7k gold lead nonetheless gave Vitality a large margin of error. Nonetheless, the groups erupted in a drawn-out brawl after Markoon’s Baron steal. SK’s sturdy specialization in long-term teamfights made certain that they held out ’til the tip.
- Groups: VIT 0 – 1 SK
- Time: 39:40
- Kills: 11 – 16
- Turrets: 5 – 10
- Gold: 73.6k – 72.8k
- Dragons: 3 – 3
- Barons: 1 – 1
KAISER GIGACHAD ? pic.twitter.com/y3feLvDV44
— Workforce Vitality ? (@TeamVitality) February 19, 2023
Sport 2
All bets had been off within the second sport of the day, particularly after seeing Bo’s jungle Karthus pocket decide. After securing the primary couple of picks, the German-based crew loved one other early-game snowball. Discovering a reply for every enemy maneuver, Irrelevant’s unkillable streak continued after retreating from high tower with solely 33 HP to spare. A busy conflict for dragon noticed VIT retreat from SK’s superior macroplay, giving SK their third dragon and flipping the script with a 7k gold benefit within the midgame.
With no kills on the board 20 minutes in, Vitality rallied for a Baron take that sadly resulted in catastrophe. Irrelevant and Doss had been almost untouchable with their mobility all through the sport. Sport 2 resulted in applause because the unstoppable pressure lastly earned their place at Playoffs. Secure and constant enchancment gave the younger roster their greatest upset to date, and a straight path in direction of break up championships.
- Groups: VIT 0 – 2 SK
- Time: 23:53
- Kills: 2 – 17
- Turrets: 2 – 10
- Gold: 36.8k – 51.5k
- Dragons: 0 – 3
- Barons: 1 – 1
WELCOME TO PLAYOFFS:@SKGaming defeat @TeamVitality and advance to the #LEC Winter Playoffs! pic.twitter.com/g7HCvKv9gQ
— LEC (@LEC) February 19, 2023
MAD Lions vs Astralis
Sport 1
MAD’s capability to clear areas for jungle goals slashed in opposition to AST higher crew comp. The blue aspect discovered first blood after 9 minutes, and crashed the Herald into high lane’s tier one turret after Elyoya secured a triple kill. Good map management gave AST sufficient respiration room to make amends for the killscore.
The midgame noticed each groups exploded into fixed teamfights. The sport stayed shut till MAD dedicated for Soul level with a 2k gold lead. Taking first Baron earned MAD a 3k gold lead that allow them confidently reset whereas AST ferociously defended their final mid lane tower. And whereas Astralis tried to contest for Baron, Elyoya’s ult zoned half of the highest jungle aspect lengthy enoughf ro his crew to safe. The final crew struggle was the ultimate nail within the coffin, and bagged the win for MAD.
- Groups: MAD 1 – 0 AST
- Time: 31:30
- Kills: 19 – 12
- Turrets: 8 – 4
- Gold: 60.2k – 53.5k
- Dragons: 4 – 0
- Barons: 1 – 0
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