For the European team G2 Esports, there was a rude awakening at the Worlds 2022 in League of Legends: The LoL team around midlaner Caps and jungler Jankos presented themselves in a video as superheroes. However, in the first match, they faced the world elite, the South Koreans of DWG KIA: Midlaner Showmaker and jungler Canyon quickly showed the Europeans their limits. Now there are doubts whether G2 will survive the death group B.
G2 had fun before the match: In a hype video before the start of the Worlds, the players of G2 showcased their new powers.
E-sports journalist Jake Luckey announced that G2 had been “struck by lightning” and now had superpowers:
- Jankos can now shoot lightning from his eyes and emit toxic gas
- Caps can suddenly change shape when he drinks milk
CEO Carlos “Ocelote” Rodriguez announced that this was the last script he approved, before he had to leave G2.
And the loss of the long-time CEO seemed to overshadow the usually buoyant atmosphere that typically surrounds the team. Somehow, even before the start of the World Cup, there was something off.
These opponents awaited them: In the 1st match at the Worlds, G2 faced none other than DWG KIA. The teams share a common history at the Worlds:
- In 2019, in the quarter-finals of the Worlds, the experienced players of G2 essentially demolished the then highly talented Koreans because the young team couldn’t handle the pressure of the Worlds. DAMWON Gaming was extremely strong in scrims but couldn’t translate that performance onto the stage.
- In 2020, the two teams faced each other again: this time in the semi-finals of the Worlds. Now, however, DWG KIA was a year older and clearly defeated G2, who then lost their leading player Perkz, while DAMWON Gaming became the world champion in 2020.
In 2021, G2 didn’t even qualify for the Worlds – the again favored DWG KIA narrowly lost in the finals to EDward Gaming.
After 8 minutes came the pre-decision
How did the match go? It was a very bitter match for G2:
- The two key players of G2, Caps and Jankos, had no kills – Jankos died 4 times, Caps 3 times
- The key players of DWG KIA, Showmaker (8-0-4) and Canyon 3/0/10, on the other hand, remained without death. They were as dominant as feared.
The decision came early with a ace at the Rift Herald. By 8 minutes, the game was practically decided. Showmaker played outstandingly on Azir:
A second ace at 22 minutes sealed the fate of the Europeans. By then, DWG KIA was already 10,000 gold ahead. The game ended after 32 minutes (via dotesports).
The “chaotic endgame” that often brought G2 victories was not reached by the team this time.
Afterwards, Showmaker stated that it was hard to say whether G2 was a strong team or not. Because the game had been very one-sided, they had a good plan for the first teamfight and executed it.
What does it look like for G2 now? Mixed results, G2 has defeated Evil Geniuses for the 7th time this year, who are hardly likely to escape group B, but the loss against DWG KIA hurts.
For G2 to survive “the death group”, they must defeat and outlast an Asian team. Besides DWG KIA, JD Gaming is also in the group, and they might even be stronger than the Koreans, as the Chinese defeated DWG KIA in their first match.
Jankos mentioned in an interview (via dotesports):
The group is tough, but if you are a good team, you will get out. If we are not a good team, then we will not get through. Would I prefer to be in Rogue or Fnatic’s group or in Group D? Yes, already. But that doesn’t matter. If we are good, we can make it in best-of-fives.
After the opening loss, G2 really needs a round of superpower before the Worlds end very quickly.
For the other two European teams, Fnatic and especially Rogue, things look much better.
European LoL team surprises by knocking out title favorites from Korea – relies on unusual combo
