The LEC finally returns this week, as the third and final split of 2023 gets underway. With the brand new LEC Season Finals getting closer, as well as the World Championship, the next month will be absolutely critical.
After a disastrous showing from both MAD Lions and G2 Esports at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), much improvement is needed if any European League of Legends (LoL) team wants to challenge the world’s best later this year.
Let’s take a look at which LEC team is most likely to get that chance.
Astralis
Predicted position: Seventh place
Astralis surprised a lot of people in the last split. The acquisition of Adam "LIDER" Ilyasov turned out to be an inspired choice, as his in-your-face style gave the squad some much-needed additional Carry potential.
However, after their second place finish in the regular season, they ultimately came up short in the Group Stage. Astralis could certainly cause problems in the best-of-ones, but I think they’ll struggle to get out of Groups again.
Excel Esports
Predicted position: 10th place
It has been a nightmare of a season for Excel. They are the only team that hasn’t qualified for either LEC Group Stage this year in previous splits.
So, of course the organisation’s decision-makers have had to go back to the drawing board once more. This time, they have dipped into the regional leagues to sign up-and-coming Jungler Lee "Peach" Min-gyu from Unicorns of Love, who finished as runners-up at the most recent EMEA Masters.
Historically, Jungler has been a problematic position for Excel, so it will take something very special from “Peach” to save this already disjointed and dysfunctional roster.
Fnatic
Predicted position: Eighth place
Fnatic have also shopped around, and have made some new changes with a brand new Bot Lane duo. Oh "Noah" Hyeon-taek is a mechanically gifted AD Carry (ADC) who previously won the Ultraliga, and he’ll be joined by KOI’s former main man Adrian "Trymbi" Trybus.
It’s been a tough year for “Trymbi” with Enchanter Supports out of the meta, so how he adapts to this new challenge and fresh lineup will be fascinating to watch. Fnatic could surprise us in this split, but I think there are a few teams that will still ultimately outclass them.
G2 Esports
Predicted position: First place
After a rough finish to the Spring Split, and a horrific time at MSI, G2 will want to bounce back. Unlike spring, they have more to play for this time around.
Top Laner Sergen "BrokenBlade" Çelik has been in tremendous form, and I think as long as the squad get over their MSI hangover, they’ll comfortably secure their place at Worlds.
KOI
Predicted position: Sixth place
KOI have not lived up to the high standards they have set in previous years, but it’s still surprising to see that “Trymbi” has been swapped for Henk "Advienne" Reijenga midseason.
While it may not make a lot of sense on paper, KOI’s very honest video admitted that the team atmosphere needed a refresh, and “Advienne”’s drive will play a big role in that. Considering how much Mathias "Szygenda" Jensen has improved this year, KOI could work their way back into the playoffs conversation.
MAD Lions
Predicted position: Second place
MAD Lions silenced their doubters with their spring title win, but their poor MSI showing - including a 3-0 loss to G2 - will have heavily dented their confidence.
Still, this is a very strong team that should have no problem bouncing back. However, in typical MAD fashion, don’t be surprised if they have a slow start in the opening weeks before ramping up when it matters most.
SK Gaming
Predicted position: Ninth place
After how well they performed in winter, SK were so disappointing in spring. There were a lot of issues that needed tidying up, and they’ve had plenty of time to address those as a group.
If the organisation can get Mark "Markoon" van Woensel and Thomas "Exakick" Foucou firing again, SK should be able to make Groups, but it’s entirely possible they’ll continue to stagnate.
Team BDS
Predicted position: Fourth place
Spring was so exciting, yet heartbreaking for Team BDS. Losing in the final will undoubtedly have stung, but the fact the roster got that far in the first place is incredible.
This is a roster that understands each other. Their team play is fantastic, and will cause problems for every single squad that faces them.
You would hope that their previous performances – that earned them the attention of teams that travelled to Europe for this year’s MSI – inspired them to get some valuable scrims in. However, there’s also a chance that the defeat to MAD in spring will have affected the team’s mood and confidence.
Team Heretics
Predicted position: Fifth place
Another team that has been busy this off-season; Team Heretics’s new lineup is the one I’m personally the most excited to see.
Last season, Heretics failed to even make the playoffs. Lee "Ruby" Sol-min received a lot of criticism in the Mid Lane, which makes the signing of Vincent "Vetheo" Berrié a potentially huge upgrade. Legendary Jungler Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski can certainly get the best out of him, as can roaming Support Mertai "Mersa" Sari, as they previously played together on Misfits.
And then there’s the synergy of Victor "Flakked" Lirola Tortosa, who joins the team having played with “Jankos” last year. Jakob "Jackspektra" Gullvag Kepple wasn’t a bad Bot Laner by any means, but I also feel “Flakked”’s role on G2 last year was underappreciated, and he deserves another chance.
Team Vitality
Predicted position: Third place
And finally, we have the star-studded roster of Team Vitality that just continue to fall short.
They’ve decided to stick with their roster this time around after coming third in the last split. That might just give Zhou "Bo" Yang-Bo the confidence he needs to finally live up to the potential we’ve heard so much about.
If this team is going to make it into a final, then Vitality’s solo laners need to consistently hit the highs we know they’re capable of and, as a whole, the roster needs to find the right balance to adapt with however the meta evolves.
But we’ve also been saying that all year, so let’s see how they’ve developed over the break.
