MAD Lions are the 2021 LEC Spring Split champions. Now, if for some reason you’ve slept through the last couple of weeks and are only just waking up and reading the headlines, this bit of news will probably catch you off guard. And, frankly, we’re still processing it ourselves despite seeing the whole thing transpire before our very eyes.
Gone is the G2 Esports dynasty and, for the first time in what feels like a lifetime, there’s no Fnatic in sight either. We’re all confused, baffled, perplexed, and some — the biggest G2 faithful, no doubt — are also pretty darn angry. No one’s all too sure what to feel or think because no one thought this could happen. Not now, at least. With Martin “Rekkles” Larsson moving over to G2, it felt like their dynasty got ever more unassailable. It’s not like G2 lacked a capable marksman, but Rekkles was always in a league of his own and was supposed to further solidify G2’s spot at the throne.
But for one reason or another, that failed to be the case. Whether they got complacent or just had a bad read on the meta is up to you to decide. There’s no definitive answer at this point, as everyone’s still reeling from the shock of seeing a brand-new champion ascend the LEC throne.
Two Kings, Taking Turns at the Throne
Only four teams — including MAD Lions — have been able to accomplish such a feat. And, really, we could write a hundred thousand words on the matter, but the following picture will tell this “age-old” tale far better than any of us ever could.
Eight G2 Esports titles, seven Fnatic ones, and “just” a single triumph — or momentous upset — by Alliance in 2014 and now MAD Lions in 2021. The LEC is a region comprised of only two kings, but every so often, there comes a team that manages to go all the way. We’ve awaited this moment for seven long years — an eternity in competitive esports.
These are some new kids on the block. Most of them didn’t even watch the 2014 EU LCS Summer Split finals when Alliance upset Fnatic. Today’s world of competitive League is so vastly different (better, fortunately) than the one from 2014, and it’s impossible not to stand in awe at what MAD Lions pulled off.
A Reverse Sweep for the Ages
But this is just the narrative of it all — the fashion in which they’ve won is equally as impressive if not even more so. Their resilience was astounding, and precisely because of it, they were able to correct course and reverse sweep Rogue even though their backs were against the wall.
To bounce back in such grand fashion is a true testament to their inherent talent, ample preparation, and long-term potential. This was no fluke — MAD Lions really are the best team in Europe. And even though they’re not all that much better than Rogue, their ability to dig deep and mount a comeback is what separates the champions from the challengers.
And boy are we glad to see some new faces atop the throne! G2 Esports will surely come back with a vengeance, but MAD Lions are ready and waiting — and they’ll only get better and better as time goes on. After all, we mustn’t forget that this line-up has only been playing together for the last three or so months. And sure, a good chunk of their previous roster (three-fifths, to be more exact) remained intact, but one could argue that it was İrfan “Armut” Berk Tükek and Javier “Elyoya” Prades — their newest additions — who stood out the most.
Marek “Humanoid” Brázda deserves a seismic shoutout as well. He might not be as popular as some of his mid lane peers, but he’s every bit as dangerous and capable. Heck, we’re putting it mildly — he took the team on his back and delivered on more than one occasion, including the LEC finals. Hopefully, his recent performances will net him the respect and admiration he so rightfully deserves.
And now, after one of the most thrilling splits in LEC history, we are left to wonder: how will this young line-up fare against the best teams in the world? It’s an endlessly interesting question, and fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to have it answered!
Coinsmart. Beste Bitcoin-Börse in Europa
Source: https://www.esportstalk.com/news/mad-lions-win-the-2021-lec-spring-split-after-a-thrilling-five-game-brawl/
