Despite fluctuating shape: G2 Esports reaches MSI semi-final

G2 Esports has finished the group stage of the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) in third place. Especially towards the end, the European representative weakened and suffered a few surprising defeats. In the semi-finals, the best League of Legends player of all time awaits.

In the five-day group phase of the Mid-Season Invitational, fans saw two different faces of G2 Esports. On the one hand, the LEC champion defeated the Korean champion SK Telekom T1 2-0, on the other hand, Rasmus ‘Caps’ Winther and Co. lost as the only team in the competition against Phong Vu Buffalo. The European Powerhouse lost twice against the Vietnamese. One of these failures came on the last day of the group stage, along with a defeat against Team Liquid.

However, G2 was encouraged to finish the group stage instead of disappointed. In the words of German coach Fabian ‘GrabbZ’ Lohmann, despite the two failures, there was a positive conclusion: “It was a bad day, but at least on the structural side we took a lot with us and had productive discussions after our games. The pressure was less today because of the buffer in the table, and we tried out some things that didn’t work as intended.”

Against SKT and ‘Faker

One of the problems currently plaguing G2 was team captain Luka ‘Perkz’ Perkovic’s description: “We skip steps, act rashly and rush over it again and again.” These are not good prospects for the semi-final on 18 May. Especially as the opponent is SK Telekom T1. In the group phase, G2 Esports defeated the Korean champions twice. But the team around the best League of Legends player of all time, Sang-hyeok ‘Faker’ Lee, is known for the fact that their methodical way of playing means that they only develop their full potential in a best-of-5 series. In addition, SKT’s form curve points steeply upwards.

On the last day, the two-time world champion even defeated the undefeated Invictus Gaming. Nevertheless, G2 is not discouraged. Even after the worrying conclusion in the group phase, ‘Perkz’ said: “I’m still more confident with regard to the semi-finals after today”.

On the other side of the tournament tree, China’s Invictus Gaming will face North American Liquid. However, a tight game is not expected here. IG are the clear favourites and, because of their aggressiveness throughout the game, an ungrateful opponent for the rather wait-and-see North Americans.