EU LCS Summer Split 2018 Game 1

The day started with a small nail-biter for Fnatic when Schalke earned a solid lead over the reigning defending champion in the first match of the best of 5 final. A big role was played by Maurice “Amazing” Stückenschneider on Skarner, who dominated the map for himself and his team from the first minute. In addition, Rasmus “Caps” Winther’s Akali was helpless in many team fights against Schalke’s Erlend “Nukeduck” Våtevik Holm. After a good thirty minutes of play, Schalke won the crucial team fight. Then they went on to finish the game with a lead of 9,000 gold.

Game 2

The next match, Fnatic showed why they are the best EU side and got an early lead. However, the big lead was challenged by Schalke fighting back hard. Despite their best efforts to take the control of the game, Schalke failed in front of the mighty team-fight oriented line-up of Fnatic. And that’s how Fnatic took the chance to equalize the final, 1-1.

Game 3

Game 3 was the most evenly matched of the series. No team was given the chance to secure a decisive lead in the opening minutes. Both teams showed impressive strategies and skill to keep the game locked. However, as the game progressed Fnatic showed better strategies and teamfight coordination to win game 3, making it 2 games to 1 in favor of Fnatic.

Game 4

The last game was by far the most tense and spectacular game of the series. Both teams had their fair share of losses. Both teams fought hard for the vision control around Baron Nashor. In a fraction of a second, however, the game changed, as Martin “Rekkles” Larsson got a Quadra Kill in the final team fight of the game. Fnatic had no problem ending the game and was crowned champion for the seventh time.

As part of the LCS split tradition, the MVP of the entire season is voted on and announced. In Europe, Fnatic’s player, Caps, received this honor. It is the first MVP title for the Dane in the EU LCS. It’s the third year in a row seeing this award go to a Fnatic player. Team-mate Martin ‘Rekkles’ Larsson won it in Summer Split 2017 and Spring Split 2018.

As a result of their victory, Fnatic secured a direct World Championship slot as the best team in Europe. Team Vitality, on the other hand, secured 100 points to qualify as the second team for Worlds.

• Team Vitality: 100 points, qualifying for World Championships as Europe’s second place
• Schalke 04: 90 points (90 split in summer)
• G2 Esports: 90 points
• Splyce: 70 points
• Misfits: 50 points