G2 Esports swept Rogue to get a spot in the finals, while Fnatic took down Misfits Gaming and MAD Lions to stamp their tickets for Malmö as well.
The LEC playoffs continued this weekend, with the top 5 teams of the tournament facing off against each other. In the upper bracket, Rogue would once more face off against G2 Esports, hoping to finally defeat their rival in playoffs. Meanwhile, Fnatic would have to take on Misfits Gaming for the last Worlds spot, with the winner having to play MAD Lions with a top 3 spot and a chance to make it to the LEC finals on the line.
Match 1: Misfits Gaming 0-3 Fnatic
After defeating Excel Esports in a 3-2 slugfest, Fnatic continued their lower bracket run with a rematch against Misfits Gaming. The first game went cleanly in their favor as Elias "Upset" Lipp got an early lead on his Kalista and the team kept up the pressure. Misfits had a momentary reprieve in the mid-game, but soon Fnatic were back in control. The second game, however, was a lot more hard-fought. The favorites once more dominated the early game, but several blunders gave Misfits a way back into the game and it took some 47 minutes and great teamfighting to secure the win. Misfits needed a change and they caught a break in the next game with an early first blood. However, Fnatic kept getting the better of them in teamfights and with great Trundle pillars from Iván "Razork" Martín Díaz and a solid carry performance from Upset,they easily secured the clean 3-0 sweep.
Match 2: G2 Esports 3-0 Rogue
G2 Esports and Rogue took to the stage on Saturday. The two teams were close early on in the opening game, but G2 get several fights as the mid-game started for an easy win to start their series strong. After the teams returned to the Rift, Rogue put up more of a fight and the second game was very close well into the mid-game. However, a single mistake 37 minutes in cost Rogue dearly as they pushed too far and lost two, leading to a G2 counterattack that gave them the ace and the game.
After losing the first two games, Rogue had a good start to the last one with four early kills. However, G2 turned the tables with a big teamfight 15 minutes in and never looked back, winning another confident victory and making it a very one-sided 3-0 series despite some off-meta picks.
Match 3: MAD Lions 1-3 Fnatic
Fnatic delivered a show of force in their opening game against MAD Lions, getting an early lead and maintaining the pressure on the map, especially the top lane. A teamfight win let them push inside the MAD base and secure the victory in under 20 minutes. In the next game, however, MAD showed they are not to be trifled with, amassing a huge early advantage off jungler Javier "Elyoya" Prades Batalla. The Lions were over 5K gold lead at 15 minutes. FNC got a few picks, but it was not enough and around the 30-minute mark, MAD finally got a decisive fight, got the Baron and pushed to end the game.
Fnatic started the third game well again.The Lions equalizd for a while, a key fight 23 minutes in saw the game slip away from them. In the end, it was another key teamfight and another strong performance by Fnatic’s jungle and AD Carry that led to an ace 30 minutes in and the win shortly afterwards. f MAD expected the aggression to cease, they would be mistaken. Fnatic got a bg lead from the opening minutes in game 4, and despite getting punished several times remained ahead of the game. MAD won several skirmishes but all Fnatic needed was one clean teamfight win - and 28 minutes into the game, they got it and soon ended the game for the 3-1 series victory.
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The playoffs continue next week as Rogue, Fnatic and G2 Esports are heading to Malmö for the finals. First, Fnatic and Rogue will face off, and the finalist will take on G2 Esports as they defend their LEC crown. Don't miss it!