It’s Team Vitality and GiantX’s turn to kick off their LEC 2024 season at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin. At the end of a very chaotic meeting and with numerous mistakes on both sides and others, it was finally IgNar and his team that took the victory, thus their first victory of the division.
It’s just the beginning of the season
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the exciting first day of the LEC Winter Split 2024 regular season. The matches come one after the other at a breakneck pace, giving us little time to catch our breath. After an exciting clash between Karmine Corp and Fnatic, it’s time to turn our attention to another French team in the LEC, Team Vitality, who are preparing to take on GiantX, formerly known as Axel before merging with the Spanish giants organization. The two teams are looking for a clean sweep of their 2023 season, aiming to at least qualify for this year’s League of Legends Worlds in Europe, including a stage in France.
The transfer window has been turbulent for both these teams. GiantX made a double strategic move, signing mid laner Jakesek and support IgNar. For its part, Team Vitality has opted for a big change, welcoming four new players. Among them, the talented French midlaner Vetheo, as well as former MAD Lions Botlane, Karzi and Hylisang. To keep all odds on his side, Highway also made numerous changes to his coaching staff, hiring former MAD Lions duo Mack and Ped. These changes promise a match full of new dynamics and strategies.
Tough start to the season
Heading to Summoner’s Rift, Team Vitality faced off against GiantX in a match that got off to a rough start for the French team, losing control of the botlane due to a series of mistakes and very poorly managed dives. 10 minutes into the game, GiantX has already taken a 2k gold lead, especially thanks to Patrick who excels on Draven. However, Team Vitality did not give up and fought their way back into the match, using their opponents’ positional mistakes to punish them. Despite a moment of uncertainty, GiantX managed to pull themselves together and gain the upper hand by dominating the clash.
Approaching the 20th minute, Vitality secured a decisive team fight, thanks to Hylisang’s excellent ult. This key moment allows them to gain in golds and gain some map control. However, in subsequent encounters, Vitality struggled to maintain their early impact, making questionable decisions that put them at a disadvantage, allowing GiantX to once again come out on top. After 30 minutes of play, GiantX made a mistake during a very poorly managed engagement and team fight in the midlane. Vitality tries to take this opportunity to end the game, but his decision backfires in a random layup, resulting in an ace for the opposing team.
The level of play was not particularly remarkable from both teams, especially from Team Vitality who made many mistakes from the start of the match. In the end, it was GiantX who came out on top and registered their first win of the season.
Week 1 Match Results – Day 1
Saturday 13 January
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finish
G2 Esports
BDS
regular season
-
finish
SK Gaming
snap
regular season
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finish
obsessed
Carmine Corp
regular season
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finish
GIANTX
Team spirit
regular season
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finish
MAD Lions KOI
Team heretics
regular season
LEC Winter Split Standings
| order | teams | victories | Defeat |
| 1 | G2 Esports | 2 | 0 |
| – | SK Gaming | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | obsessed | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | GIANTX | 1 | 1 |
| – | MAD Lions KOI | 1 | 1 |
| – | Team BDS | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | snap | 0 | 1 |
| – | Team heretics | 0 | 1 |
| – | Team spirit | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | Carmine Corp | 0 | 2 |