LEC Winter Season Group Evaluate: G2 Esports

G2 Esports ran out of steam by the tip of the 2022 season, so that they introduced in some new expertise with the intention to get their throne again.

The 2023 LEC Season Kicks Off right now with the conflict of Group Legacy and Group Dynasty, however the LEC Winter Break up doesn’t start till subsequent Saturday – so we nonetheless have a while to speak in regards to the new lineups of the LEC Groups. This time round, we are going to check out G2 Esports, who stored the most effective elements of final 12 months – however mentioned goodbye to a long-time fan favourite.

Toplane – Sergen “BrokenBlade” Celik

The Topfather returns for 2023 – clearly. What good is a corporation with out its Godfather-like participant? Jokes apart, BrokenBlade proved time and time once more that he belongs within the squad, not simply in playstyle and ability, however in his method to the sport and to competitions. The German-Turkish toplaner performed for TSM, gained the 2020 Summer time LCS Playoffs, then joined Schalke 04’s LEC-team, and achieved the fabled “Schalke miracle-run” again within the 2021 Spring Break up. After these unbelievable feats, he went on to hitch G2 Esports, then gained the 2022 LEC Spring Break up. Changing into a Champion is 2 areas – a truth not {many professional} League of Legends gamers can say about themselves. BrokenBlade and G2 completed within the high 4 of the MSI final 12 months, then had an incredible run in Summer time, however in the end failed to depart their mark upon Worlds 2022.

Within the final 2 years, BrokenBlade turned among the finest toplaners of the European Championship, and will certainly proceed to be within the EMEA-era as effectively. Whereas he performed Ornn and Gwen probably the most final 12 months, his most identified for his iconic picks akin to Yone, Tryndamere and Akshan – and we even noticed his famend Riven at MSI final 12 months. G2 made the best name by maintaining him, as he was one of many highlights of the 2022 squad.

Jungle – Martin “Yike” Sundelin

After letting Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski go on the finish of 2022, G2 Esports signed up-and-coming participant Yike from the LFL. The Swedish-Peruvian participant has performed within the Nordic leagues firstly of his profession, competing beneath the banners of groups akin to Hybrid Esports, UniQ Esports Membership, and Domino Esports. He performed within the Italian PG Nationals for Samsung Morningstars, the place he and his teammates received 3^rd place within the 2021 Spring Playoffs. He then went on to play for Group Oplon within the LFL Division 2, and after successful the 2021 Summer time Season, they certified for the LFL. Yike didn’t stick with Oplon, although, as he received a proposal he couldn’t refuse from LDLC OL. They gained each Spring and Summer time Seasons within the LFL, and made it to the Finals of the primary EU Masters of final 12 months.

Now he took G2’s provide – with some assist of the crew’s new help. The 22-year-old was extraordinarily efficient on picks akin to Viego, Xin Zhao and Wukong final 12 months, however he performed Champions like Kha’Zix, Bel’Veth and Qiyana. Because of this whereas he can observe the meta with utility junglers, he likes his carries, and if given area, he can actually make them work – and if Viego stays within the meta, Yike and G2 can get the most effective of each worlds.

Midlane – Rasmus “Caps” Borregaard Winther

The one participant who stayed with the crew from the Golden Age of G2 to now, Caps will proceed to steer his teammates this 12 months as effectively. Beginning out with Fnatic again in 2017, the participant was dubbed “Child Faker” due to his mechanical expertise. He gained the EU LCS two occasions with the black-and-orange squad, then made it to the finals of the 2018 Worlds. His transition from Fnatic to G2 Esports precipitated fairly an uproar locally, as Fnatic felt they had been robbed of their greatest participant – and rightfully so. Caps has gained almost every little thing with G2 Esports, making it to the Worlds Finals two years in a row and getting an LEC Title 5 occasions since he joined – to not point out successful MSI 2019, the place he and the remainder of previous G2 beat Group Liquid 3-0.

Whereas Caps has develop into extra laid again prior to now few seasons, he nonetheless is among the greatest midlaners of Europe, and among the many greatest on the planet, giving a tough time even to the Jap midlaners. Whereas he doesn’t carry as usually as he did, he can nonetheless take up the position of the hero for the crew. He performed 15 video games with Ahri and 11 with Sylas, exhibiting masterclass on the picks, being almost uncatchable with the 9 Tailed Fox, and offering a number of the most memorable performs of the 12 months. So long as he performs, G2 will likely be comfortable to have him onboard.

Botlaner – Steven “Hans sama” Liv

Hans sama has returned from North America to play within the LEC as soon as once more after the failure of the Group Liquid superteam. The French ADC performed for Misfits Gaming for an enormous a part of his profession, however apart from a number of highlights – akin to nearly knocking Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and SKT T1 from the 2017 World Champinship – they weren’t probably the most profitable squad. Aside from coming in second within the 2017 EU LCS Playoffs, they completed center of the pack at greatest, and 9^th place at worst. All the things modified when he joined Rogue again in 2020. Whereas initially, he and his crew completed 5^th within the Spring Playoffs, they gained the Common Season in Summer time and received 3^rd place within the Playoffs. In 2021, they had been one of the crucial profitable crew within the area – however they by no means managed to get that European Championship title. His time with Group Liquid began out nice with a 1^st place Spring 2022 end, however TL didn’t qualify for MSI, then received 4^th place within the Summer time Championship, so that they missed Worlds as effectively.

Now Hans sama has an opportunity at redemption with a crew that appears worthy of his expertise. Dubbed Frenchie within the announcement video, his Jinx is a drive of nature, akin to his Sivir and Ezreal. Whereas he feels extra snug on hypercarry-style Champions, he has a formidable report with Lucian as effectively – hopefully, he can return to the Rogue days when it comes to efficiency.

Help – Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle

The misplaced son has returned residence to hitch Caps and his new teammates as soon as extra. Mikyx has spent the final 12 months with Excel Esports after he initially didn’t discover a crew for the Spring Break up. Nonetheless, signing Mikyx was an incredible resolution by the British squad, because the Slovenian helped the crew break their Playoff-curse. Earlier than Excel Esports, Mikyx performed for Splyce, with whom he made Worlds for the primary time again in 2016. After Spylce, he joined Misfits Gaming, taking part in alongside Hans sama, however couldn’t replicate his success. He joined G2 when the EU LCS rebranded az LEC, and gained 4 consecutive European titles, an MSI, and received into the Finals of his second-ever Worlds alongside Caps. After G2 didn’t qualify to the World Championship in 2021, he needed to depart the crew, however it looks as if he discovered his manner again.

Mikyx is a professional on enchanters, his most performed Champions being Yuumi and Lulu final 12 months, however he had some nice performances on Rakan as Thresh as effectively. This could come in useful now that he’s on the aspect of Hans once more, as the 2 might work wonders on the botlane.

G2 Esports needed to change up some issues after the failure of final 12 months’s Worlds. Whereas Victor “Flakked” Lirola and Raphael “Targamas” Crabbé labored out effectively within the LEC, internationally they weren’t as assured. Whereas they had been new gamers, a reputation like G2 Esports can’t afford to assist two new abilities develop – however perhaps Yike can reside as much as the expectations. General, the brand new G2 appears nice with a strong basis in Caps and BrokenBlade, so we count on them to be one of many high 3 groups of the 2023 LEC Season.

Catch G2 Esports and the remainder of the groups subsequent Saturday, when the LEC Winter Break up begins – and in case you missed it, learn ESTNN’s recaps of all of the LEC (and LCS) matches!