LEC Playoffs: G2 Shakes Off Rust and Steamrolls Origen
By Wyatt Fossett ·
After two weeks of practice, the leaders of the European League of Legends series took to the stage to decide who between G2 Esports and Origen would have the easy road to the 2019 Spring Split Grand Finals.
The battle of the best in the League of Legends European Championship was set to be a very exciting game, even though there was little build-up. With both the first-place and second-place teams getting two weeks off thanks to their placement in the standings, it had been a while before League of Legends fans had seen either squad play. Luckily, we had some amazing play from the Fnatic versus Splyce series to tide us over.
In the final weeks of the regular season, G2 Esports looked a little sloppy, like they weren’t trying their hardest. It turned out to be true, because G2 could have completely shut-out their closest rival.
Origen came into their Round 2 match just a few days after their Coach Guilhoto won the LEC Coach of the Year award. However, after some lackluster ability to adapt to adversity in their series today against G2, Origen’s award-winning Coaching didn’t make enough of an impact.
It's time for the 2019 #LEC Spring Playoffs Round 2 Bo5 between @G2esports and @Origengg!#G2WIN #OGWIN
— lolesports (@lolesports) April 6, 2019
? https://t.co/wCghUMbh0N pic.twitter.com/OyPYLkGIEg
Swords of Steal
Probably the most fun that League of Legends has been in the last 5 years or so, there wasn’t a dull moment in Game 1 of the LEC Semi-Finals matchup between the league-leaders in G2 and OG. From the start, Origen looked like they were rolling up the snowball nicely, and eventually, their comp would out-scale G2 and win.
It was incredible plays across the board by every G2 player that would keep them in the game the entire way. A split-pushing Caps on Ryse was a hassle the entire match-up for OG, and eventually, they had earned enough opportunities to push the right objectives and steal more than just an Elder Dragon, but the whole game.
Birdman Cometh
The follow-up to the slug-match of the century went completely different, for one team. G2 Esports got to where they are now almost purely on their ability to be resilient against adversity, and maintain momentum. Which was a very bad thing for Origen, who got pretty well steamrolled in Game 2 going head-to-head against Mikyx’s Rakan, and Caps on the Swain.
It was never going to be Origen’s game. Especially not after a few failed objective plays. But it wasn’t really their fault. G2’s ability to gain an early advantage never allowing any opportunity for their opponent to catch-up is one of the reasons they are the top seed in the EU.
Game 3 would be an early match-point for G2, and would force Origen into the position where a reverse sweep would be the only way to get a direct ticket to the finals.
Play it Again Johnny
It would seem that Origen didn’t learn a whole lot from Game 2, as they produce almost the exact same draft that saw them become a doormat in the previous game. This set-up would produce almost the exact same result.
G2 at full power is the scariest thing in the world if you’re any of the other LEC teams. Caps on the Corki in the mid-lane ran through Origen in Game 3, on their way to the full sweep.
Ultimately, the power and stability of the entire G2 Roster were too much for Origen. Even with the Coach of the Split, OG couldn’t (or refused to) adapt to the adversity thrown at their planned strategy by G2. With mid-lane and bot-lane going the way of the samurai in all three games, it was feasible, but nearly impossible for Origen to overcome.
Rotterdam
With the loss, Origen does not have to go home. The new-look LEC Playoff format means that they will now have to face Fnatic in the Semi-Finals. The winner of which will earn a chance to win the LEC Spring Split, but they will have to get through a terrifying G2 Esports in order to claim that trophy.
There was a large break between G2’s last regular season match and their first playoff series today, but after shaking off the rust in Game 1, the G2 who has ruled the standings all of 2019 showed up.
G2’s Caps said “I really want to face Fnatic in the finals” during his post-game interview, even though his teammate and support Mikyx thinks that “Origen are a really good team, we’re just better, so we’ll probably see them in the finals,” he added.
Up next, Origen and Fnatic will play in the Semi-Finals on Saturday, April 13th at 8:00 AM Pacific Time. Who do you think will win and move on to face G2 Esports in the 2019 LEC Spring Split Championship?