Misfits vs SK Gaming

For our first match of the day we have a rather underwhelming match-up between Misfits Gaming and SK Gaming. If you decided to skip this one entirely, no one would blame you. Still, there's always a reason to watch and this clash (if we can even call it that) is no different.

Misfits Gaming don't exactly have as much clash as in weeks prior, but they're still a force to be reckoned with. When they're at the top of their game, when they're able to play through Razork and Febiven, they're definitely one of the best teams in the region. Sure, they might not look like it, but looks can certainly be deceiving. Their loss to Fnatic yesterday was in many ways an expected outcome and even though they were outclassed across the board, their stock didn't take that big of a hit.

They were annihilated early on but were still able to compete in the mid and late game. Frankly, they fought far better from a deficit than you'd expect and should be applauded for it. They're still a young team and yet they're finding ways to be competitive regardless of the state of the game.

Everything spiralled out of control after just a single play. Once Febiven was caught out of position (without Cleanse against Veigar, for some reason), Bwipo was able to not only get a kill but also take red buff and then decimate Dan Dan's Sett. That series of events completely swung the game in Fnatic's favor. They're an absolute behemoth and they definitely don't need much in order to snowball out of control.

Furthermore, it became evident that Misfits kind of have to play through the top side of the map. Dan Dan needs to be at least somewhat even, with Razork and Febiven getting the lead early on. If that's not the case, they're simply not competitive at all. Bvoy and Denyk are great, but they're more of a supplementary bottom lane duo, rather than an avenue for success. With Razork being a non-factor and Febiven getting shut down from minute one, they really didn't have any options.

Still, they fought back to the best of their ability and were able to trade heavy blows with the former "Kings of Europe." In fact, their solid team fighting and mid-late decision-making nearly evened out the game.

SK Gaming, on the other hand, were handed a beatdown for the ages by G2 Esports. There's really not much that can be said, as they failed to mount any kind of offensive. To lose against G2 is a natural thing. After all, they're the best and most talented team Europe ever fostered. To be annihilated in this fashion, however, is a different matter entirely. The defending champions were basically playing with their food and looked like the crazy, unhinged behemoth of yesteryear. SK Gaming is, without a doubt, the worst and least capable team in the region. There's just no other way to put it. They might be able to improve over time, but they simply won't be able to go any higher in the standings.

The fact that Misfits lost to a game Fnatic didn't hurt their stock -- at all. They're still one of the best teams in the region, they're still insanely dangerous (especially when you factor in the players they have within their ranks) and should be given the benefit of the doubt almost by default. Now sure, they're not going to challenge the LEC status quo, they're not going to dethrone G2 Esports or anything similar, but they're going to reach the very top and compete at the highest of levels. That is, in many ways, a seismic accomplishment given just how much hype and momentum they had coming into the season. They want to remain at the top and getting a win over SK today is of the utmost importance.