Fnatic vs FC Schalke 04

The 2019 LEC Summer Split is finally coming to an end. But before we watch the reigning, defending champions fend off any upcoming challengers on Sunday, we have a fairly exciting clash between Schalke 04 and Fnatic. Not exactly as exciting and engaging, but a fun scrap nonetheless.

In fact, it could, potentially, deliver a lot more excitement when compared to the Best of 5 that's following it. After all, this is a fight between two teams of seemingly equal strength and potential. Nuances are the name of the game this time around. G2 Esports, however, is on a completely different level. The last time they fought against Origen in the Spring Split finals, they were able to get the job done in just seventy-two minutes. That was not only the fastest finals in LEC history but also one of the most one-sided beatdowns we've witnessed -- ever.

Because G2 Esports isn't playing today, maybe we'll be blessed with a series that actually goes the distance; with a match-up that yields exciting, back and forth play. At least one can hope.

Both Fnatic and Schalke are entering today's match with similar amounts of momentum. Schalke was able to completely de-rail Rogue's hype train (Rogue kind of imploded as well, but that's less important at this point) and have displayed an admirable level of play. They weren't perfect, but no one expected them to be either. They played about as well as Schalke can: solid, well-rounded, in sync, with capable solo laners and a dangerous mid and late game. They weren't any better nor worse, which is perfectly acceptable. We know what their highs look like and they, which is far more important, showed consistency, something that was lacking for the majority of the regular season.

They're finally playing like a well-oiled machine, like a contender that's worthy of the highest of stages. They have all the right tools at their disposal in order to throw down with the likes of G2 Esports and Fnatic, but whether or not that's enough is a completely different matter.

Fnatic, on the other hand, came achingly close to taking G2 Esports down in their semifinal Best of 5. For the first two games of the series they played out of their minds. It was the Fnatic of old, and it felt like they could do no wrong. Everything that had to work *did*, and it was an absolute blast to watch; a masterclass in every regard. Each individual played his best and it was evident on the Rift as well. For a brief ephemeral moment, it seemed like G2 was about to crumble; it seemed like we were en route to a clean 3-0 sweep in favor of Fnatic. For a moment, it felt like the former "kings of Europe" came for their long-lost throne.

But then G2 came online. It was a fascinating scene, not much different than those cliche anime moments where an antagonist says "you thought this was my final form?" It was as if they wanted to fight from a two-game deficit, as if they wanted to make things as hard as they could in order to reach "hard mode". And to their credit, as ill-advised as it might seem, they did pull it off. In fact, they did so with flying colors. Once G2 imposed their will, Fnatic couldn't compete. There simply wasn't a way for them to come back into the series. Not with the way G2 Esports played.

They truly are the best and most frightening team in LEC history, and no matter how solid Fnatic might be, they can't hold a candle to the defending champions.

So it is only fitting that we get a fight between two solid, albeit not championship-worthy challengers.

In the end, we simply have to side with Fnatic on this one. They played exceptionally well against the Mid-Season Invitational champions and have some of the best players in each and every role. They might not be able to dethrone G2 Esports, but that one fact doesn't matter at this point in time -- they have to get through Schalek 04 first, which, in all fairness, shouldn't be too big of a problem. They might not be able to outclass them beyond comprehension, but they're definitely more talented and versatile than their opponents.

That said, depending on how aggressive and proactive Schalke play, this could go the distance. Regardless of the final outcome, we should be in for one heck of a fight.