LEC playoffs rundown: How did each team get here?

The League of Legends European Championship begins on Friday, and the spring split 2022 has been one of the most exciting splits to date. While last year’s split featured some teams such as Mad Lions and Fnatic as top contenders, 2022 has evened the playing field, a clash of old and new where only one team can make it out. Here is the complete rundown of the first round of LEC playoffs.

The 2022 #LEC Spring Playoffs Bracket! pic.twitter.com/02aORpu7El

— LEC (@LEC) March 6, 2022

LEC Playoff Winners Bracket

Rogue vs. Misfits

Misfits have really lived up to their name this split, as this group has rallied around their superstar midlaner, Vincent “Vetheo” Berrié. While he was known as a mere Zoe one-trick last year, the young Frenchman has elevated himself to another level in 2022. Misfits proved themselves in the playoffs last split, pushing Fnatic to all five games despite fans giving them no chance. Misfits are back, with a different roster, but with a more experienced Vetheo at the helm of the team. With a playoff series under their belt, the first round might have space for an upset.

Rogue has been the best team of the split; they are at the top of the league in the regular season with a 14-4 record. The two standouts this season have been on the team since last year: Adrian “Trymbi” Trybus and Andrei “Odoamne” Pascu. Odoamne has always been a rock in the top lane; the so-called weakside king has continued to live up to his name. With such strong laners, Rogue’s newest addition Kim “Malrang” Geun-seong has been able to play aggressively. Xin Zhao, Lee Sin and Trundle are Malrang’s most picked heroes, always looking to snowball an early game advantage. While the one-dimensional, early aggression has worked in best-of-ones, the real test will be adapting to a best-of-five series as it is happening.

G2 Esports vs Fnatic

LEC fans are getting a treat: El classico in the first round of the playoffs. Fnatic and G2 Esports is a rivalry that dates back to the beginning of the LEC. With so much history between both teams, this first-round matchup will be one to watch.

Fnatic have looked like one of the strongest teams this split outside of Rogue. Taking second in the regular-season standings, Fnatic’s playstyle revolves around arguably the best bot lane in the entire league, Elias “Upset” Lipp and Zdravets “Hyllisang” Iliev Galabov. According to gol.gg, Hyllisang and Upset are ahead in CS in 72% of their games, with an average of 400 gold difference between them and the enemy bot lane. With Martin “Wunder” Nordahl Hansen playing tanks on top and Marek “Humanoid” Brázda playing active picks like Twisted Fate to find roam timing, Fnatic’s identity is clear going into the playoffs.

G2 Esports come in with an entirely new look this season, a new bot and top lane surround the core of Rasmus “caPs” Borregaard Winther and Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski. G2 Esports has not been afraid to experiment in order to find their playstyle throughout the season. According to gol.gg, caPs has played 11 different champions this season, including uncommon picks such as Kassadin, Azir and Sylas. G2’s support player, Raphaël “Targamas” Crabbé has followed suit, picking 15 different champions in the 18 games played this split. Do not be surprised if G2 Esports have something up their sleeve against Fnatic this weekend.

LEC Playoffs Lower Bracket

Excel Vs Vitality

The final series of the first round is one of the most exciting of the entire playoffs. On one side, Excel is a team that has always been on the bottom of the standings and is making playoffs for the first time. On the other, Vitality, a super team that fans expected to be at the top of the standings, only confirmed their playoff berth on the final day of the regular season.

Excel’s improvement over the season has a lot to do with the addition of veteran Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle. He’s an experienced support that has been a part of the winningest team in European League of Legends, 2019 G2 Esports. If there is anything that Excel has, it is grit, and they will need every ounce of it in order to compete against Vitality in a best-of-five series. For this team, the experience of playing a best-of-three series with playoff pressure will be a victory whether they win or lose.

Vitality was expected to be at the top of the LEC at the beginning of the season. With names such as Barney “Alphari” Morris, Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság and Luka “Perkz” Perković, it was a surprise when they started the season out 0-3. What Vitality have over Excel is a wealth of experience from international competitions. Alphari, Perkz, Carzzy, and jungler Oskar “Selfmade” Boderek have all played at the World Championships, a different level of pressure than the LEC playoffs. Excel will have a mountain to climb if they are to defeat Vitality.