G2 Esports vs Misfits

The 2022 LEC Summer Split playoffs are about to begin and we, for one, couldn't be more excited! We've witnessed many spectacular turnarounds, moments of glory and crushing defeat, but also numerous twists and turns that have left us speechless. It's been a load of fun and, by the looks of it, the best part is yet to come! To start things off, we have G2 Esports taking on Misfits Gaming, an exciting, albeit somewhat lopsided match-up.

The incumbent LEC champions are simply better across the board. That much is a fact and it's not even up for debate. Misfits are dangerous, of that we're all aware, but their highs still cannot be compared to those of G2 Esports. There's really no other way to phrase it. They're not necessarily worlds apart, but there *is* a mighty tremendous difference, and it is a gap that cannot and will not be narrowed over the coming weeks and months. G2, while not exactly infallible, are still a cut above. They're a towering giant of unparalleled strength and potential. Misfits, on the other hand, are still a feisty gatekeeper that can, at times, exceed expectations.

That being said, overperforming in a five-game series is by no means as "easy" as it is in a Best of 1. Now it's all about stamina, about mental fortitude, flexibility, and sheer resilience, all traits that G2 have in spades. Their play might have regressed a bit post-MSI, but they're still in a league of their own and they will, by all means, kick things into overdrive once it's time. We've seen it happen many a time in the past as well. They prefer to compete on "auto-pilot," cruising their way towards the playoffs without ever really burning out. It's a good strategy, too, and it has obviously garnered them a metric ton of success over the years. The competitive season is long and arduous, especially for those who end up winning more often than not.

And, well, what's G2 most known for if not momentous triumph?

Their trajectory this split has been somewhat tumultuous but by no means out of the ordinary. They had a few bad games, a couple of missteps, but were still consistent and capable enough to secure the number one spot.

With 12 wins and 6 losses, they're the de facto best and most dangerous team in the LEC, although their inherent craziness can, at times, get the better of them. MAD Lions seem to be the only real threat although they, too, often tend to struggle against a versatile giant like G2. There's no one layered enough to truly challenge them and that, in short, should really come as no surprise. Each and every single player is carrying his fair share of the weight and we, for one, can't wait to see how well they'll perform on the World Championship stage come October.

Misfits Gaming are obviously capable, and their overall record serves as proof. Finishing fourth in a region as stacked and competitive as the LEC is no small feat, so credit where credit is due. Their success is made all the more impressive given the fact that they've ended up *above* Fnatic, EXCEL Esports, and Team Vitality, three teams with -- one could argue -- higher skill ceilings and a lot more depth.

They still have a lot to work one and figure out, but for a team with just a single hard-carry, they've done astonishignly well. There's really no other way to phrase it. This, however, is the point at which their journey ends. They're just not good enough to compete with G2 on even footing and that, in short, should really come as no surprise. They *will* have one more shot at redemption once they get knocked down into the Loser's Bracket, but don't expect any miracles as this line-up has a very tangible skill ceiling and there's very little (if any) room for them to further improve and grow at this point in time.

So, the question isn't whether they'll beat G2 but rather how big of a fight will they put up? They're definitely good enough to take a game off of the incumbent champions, but anything more than would definitely be an overly optimistic stretch. We're leaning towards a fairly lopsided 3-1 but are nonetheless hoping for a competitive, even affair.

In any case, it's a Best of 5 worth tuning in to!