The opening day of the LEC Winter Split 2024 playoffs continued with the Bo3 between G2 Esports and GiantX, a match that turned into a true display of power. Caps and his team dominated the series, winning 2-0 and thus securing their passage to the next round of the competition.
G2 Esports, several levels up
The LEC Winter Split enters its crucial phase with the start of the playoffs and Round 1 of the Upper Bracket. This Saturday, February 3, after a colorful first match between Team BDS and Team Heretics, the day continues with another big match. As a reminder, the remaining two matches of the Round 1 Upper Bracket will take place the following day, Sunday 4 February, which promises a weekend full of high-level competition. The 2nd match of the day pits G2 Esports against GiantX in the Bo3 series. The winner will advance to the second round of the playoffs to face the winner of the MAD Lions duel between KOI and Fnatic. The loser, for its part, will be relegated to the losers’ bracket, where it will face the loser in the same encounter, keeping its chances of continuing in the competition alive. So this match promises to be a decisive first moment for both teams, each aiming to prove their worth and continue their quest for the title.
G2 Esports, who dominated the regular season by finishing first with seven wins and two losses, are heavy favorites not only for this meeting, but also to win the title. The team proved its strength during the regular season with exceptional performances. On the other hand, the GiantX, who are eighth in the regular season with four wins from nine games, have not been in a strong position. Having narrowly qualified for the playoffs, the team showed signs of weakness, particularly a lack of organization and sometimes inconsistent strategy, which could cost them against a rival from G2 Esports.
Game 1
Summoner’s Rift hosted the first round of this Bo3, where GiantX quickly scored first blood following a slight mistake from YK during a gank in the midlane. The Spanish team solidified their promising start to the game by capturing the game’s first dragon, and extended their lead with two additional kills during the midlane skirmish shortly thereafter. In this first quarter of an hour, Yike seems to be in trouble, slightly affecting the initial performance of G2 Esports, which is a bit behind, especially in terms of dragons. As the 20th minute approached, G2 Esports found their rhythm and managed to dominate the decisive midlane team fight, clearing the way to secure their first dragon of the game.
G2 accelerates esports play, with Caps and his teammates showcasing their team fighting skills. They got the first lead of the game before the 25th minute, although some disorganization briefly put them at a disadvantage. Despite this, they manage to minimize the negative consequences of this confrontation. Opting for a strategic slump in the game, G2 Esports is carefully planning its next offensive. Faced with an attempt by GiantX to challenge Dragon, G2 Esports mounted a brilliant counterattack by neutralizing their opponents and capturing both Dragon and Nashor. Bolstered by Baron’s buff, they redoubled their efforts, infiltrating the GiantX base with tremendous efficiency to close this first round brilliantly. Caps particularly stood out, posting an impressive KDA of 10/0/9.
Game 2
In the second round, G2 Esports quickly took the initiative by performing the first successful topplane gank. Barely five minutes into the game, G2 already has a 1k gold lead. The start of the game is favorable to G2, with each path benefiting in terms of farming and aggression. As the minutes pass, the gold distance gradually increases. The game turns into a true showcase of G2’s excellence before even reaching the quarter-hour mark. Caps and his team give their opponents a real lesson in League of Legends, who look lost and unresponsive under constant pressure. At 17 minutes into the game, G2 built an impressive lead of 10k gold and claimed three dragons, asserting their undisputed dominance in this second set.
After 20 minutes of play, G2 Esports’ gold advantage reached 14k, with two enemy blockers already eliminated during a successful infiltration of the GiantX base. Shortly after, G2 launched a new offensive, causing a real carnage among the Spanish ranks, with GiantX players overwhelmed by the situation. Odoamne and his team found themselves unable to contend with the might of G2, who won overwhelmingly in just 22 minutes of play.
Like its main rival in the fight for the title, G2 Esports took its series with a score of 2-0, showing solid control throughout the match.
LEC Winter Split Playoffs Schedule and Results
3 February Saturday
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finish
BDS
Team heretics
playoffs
-
finish
G2 Esports
GIANTX
playoffs
Sunday 4 February
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5:00 p.m
SK Gaming
Team spirit
playoffs
-
At 8:00 p.m.
MAD Lions KOI
obsessed
playoffs
Monday 5 February
5:00 p.m : Upper Bracket Semi-Final #1
At 8:00 p.m. : Upper Bracket Semi-Final #2
Saturday 10 February
5:00 p.m : Lower Bracket Round 1 #1
At 8:00 p.m. : Lower Bracket Round 1 #2
11 February Sunday
5:00 p.m : Lower Bracket Quarter-Final #1
At 8:00 p.m. : Lower Bracket Quarter-Final #2
Monday February 12
5:00 p.m : Upper Bracket Final
Friday 16 February
5:00 p.m : Lower Bracket Semifinals
Saturday, February 17
5:00 p.m : Lower Bracket Final
18 February Sunday
5:00 p.m : Grand Finale
LEC Winter Split Playoffs Tree
upper bracket
lower bracket
| 1/8 final | 1/4 finals | 1/2 finals | final | the winner | |||||
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The grand finale
| final | the winner | |||
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