G2 Esports vs MAD Lions KOI was last match of the 2024 LEC Winter Split, with the winner locking themselves in for the Mid-Season Invitational.
The 2024 LEC Winter Split came to and end today, with G2 Esports and MAD Lions KOI clashing the last battle of the season. G2 Esports has destroyed the competitiong with only 2 losses in the Regular Season and 1 dropped game in the entirety of Playoffs. In the other corner, MAD Lions KOI stand – everyone doubted them, but they managed to bounce back in the lower bracket. Can the young talent take down the Kings of Europe, or will their deposition be stopped in its tracks?
G2 Esports vs MAD Lions KOI Recap – Game 1
Even the drafts were interesting in the first match, as Broken Blade whipped out the Twisted Fate top – or so we thought, as the Akali was swapped from mid before the game began. However MDK managed to counter G2 in the draft by swapping the Zac in the jungle and picking Yasuo for Myrwn, who was meant against TF, but worked great against Akali as well.
MAD Lions KOI took an incredibly aggressive approach to the early game, and after a number of tries, they managed to get the First Blood on the botlane thanks to Elyoya and Supa. However, Caps roamed instantly after getting his ult, but a rotate from Fresskowy punished G2 immensely. MDK controlled the early game for the most part, but after a bit of an overstep in the botlane, G2 managed to even the gold after minute 12 – momentarily, as MAD continued to trade blows.
The teams’ aggression continued in the midgame and culminated before the first Baron Nashor, where Myrwn scored a Quadra Kill with his Yasuo, just barely missing the Penta. After getting the Nashor, MAD Lions KOI pressed their advantage, trying to end the game before Senna and Akali would scale enough for G2 to make a comeback from a 10k gold deficit. Around 29 minutes, MAD Lions KOI caught Hans sama and managed to roll over G2 Esports 5v4, closing out the first game and getting the first win.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: G2 Esports 3 – 1 MAD Lions KOI
- Time: 29:56
- Kills: 12 – 27
- Turrets: 4 – 10
- Gold: 54.9k – 64.9k
- Dragons: 1 – 3
- Barons: 0 – 1
G2 Esports vs MAD Lions KOI Recap – Game 2
G2 drafted a much more conservative composition, while MAD Lions KOI kept the Zac, but swapped everyting around for a more lategame team. However, giving K’Sante, Varus and Maokai to G2 Esports set MAD Lions KOI up for a hard game.
The Kings of Europe played accordingly, getting first blood, then quickly putting Caps up 2 kills.. MDK tried to answer in the botlane, but lost 2 while only getting Hans sama’s Varus ahead as well. G2 Esports stayed on the offensive, building a steady lead in the remained of the early game. MAD Lions tried to salvage what they could, but the Spanish team was unable to bounce back after the early tempo deficit.
MAD Lions KOI wanted to come back by forcing fights, but G2 Esports was just too hard of a nut to crack. Even though they got some kills in fights, Hans sama and co. got the better of the bouts. With 2 botched engages, G2 Esports got a 9k gold lead and the first Baron around 21 minutes. Continuing their hail Mary plays, MDK lost their structures one by one, with G2 almost ending the match before 25 minutes. While Elyoya and his teammates managed to defend ther Nexus 2 times, they lost an Inhibitor each time G2 decided to fight them. Third time was the charm for G2, as they managed to demolish the base of MDK and even the score of the series.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: G2 Esports 3 – 1 MAD Lions KOI
- Time: 28:01
- Kills: 28 – 5
- Turrets: 11 – 1
- Gold: 59.6k – 45.4k
- Dragons: 3 – 1
- Barons: 1 – 0
G2 Esports vs MAD Lions KOI Recap – Game 3
With MAD Lions KOI swapped to blue side, they opted to first pick the Senna again – but put together an entirely different team afterwards. Elyoya answered Yike’s Viego with a Bel’Veth of his own, while Myrwn and Fresskowy brought the midgame. G2 got Varus again which was one of their best picks in Game 2, and with the Kennen – Azir combo, they had a very strong teamfight.
This match’s early game was the slowest so far, with both teams keeping their distance. Even though they tried to engage, First Blood was only shed beofre minute 8, with Caps falling victim to MDK. Before the gank, Elyoya managed to get 3 Voidgrubs, and while they lost first Dragon, MDK had a great start for a stable midgame. With G2 on the backfoot, they were trying to make some plays through Caps, who managed to put his team back on the map even though he gave his life for it at the end of the early game.
In the midgame, G2 proved stronger, winning fights – but MDK wasn’t out of it yet thanks to Elyoya and his Bel’Veth. The first Baron of the game went to MAD Lions KOI, even though G2 won most fights thanks to Yike’s Viego which worked wonders. However, MDK didn’t fall behind, and while they had less kills, the gold was even at the start of the lategame. While Nashor’s buff was still in effect, G2 Esports managed to wipe MAD Lions KOI off the Rift, and while they couldn’t find any objectives, they didn’t let MDK breathe. It started to become the battle of the junglers – except Yike had a strong team behind him. Ultimately, G2 Esports got the second Baron, and after winning 2 more fights, MAD Lions KOI couldn’t defend their Nexus.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: G2 Esports 3 – 1 MAD Lions KOI
- Time: 33:39
- Kills: 31 – 11
- Turrets: 9 – 4
- Gold: 71.1k – 58.1k
- Dragons: 4 – 1
- Barons: 1 – 1
G2 Esports vs MAD Lions KOI Recap – Game 4
MAD Lions KOI FINALLY managed to snag Varus away from G2 Esports, who opted for the Senna again – even though it was 0-3 already in this series. Myrwn’s Jayce was answered with a Gragas – Lillia combo from G2 Esports, who drafted 4 AP champions and a single Senna.
First blood fell to MDK on the botlane as Supa’s Varus worked it’s magic supported by Alvaro and Elyoya. A few minutes later, Supa was 3-0, as MAD continued to focus on the botlane. Even though BrokenBlade put Mywrn multiple levels behind in the toplane, Supa was getting stronger and stronger, keeping MAD Lions ahead of G2 in gold. After the end of the early game, Supa was already 7-0, and G2’s only goal was to shut the Spanish ADC down.
In the midgame, MDK pressed their advantage, but after an overextended fight, Yike saved his team yet again, scoring a Pentakill and securing Baron Nashor for G2 Esports. Even though MDK did everything to save their ADC, G2 commited all of their resources to diving him, and managed to do it with 4 members still staying alive. The Kings tried to end the game with the Baron buff, and even though Supa died again, they couldn’t seal the deal.
MDK needed the Dragon Soul to have a fighting chance, and even though they managed to keep Supa alive in the fight before Drake, they couldn’t get the Soul and subsequently lost Baron Nashor as they had to reset. G2 Esports lined up for the last push, and after Caps scooped Supa out of the backline, there was nothing stopping G2 from defending their title.
Quick Stats:
- Teams: G2 Esports 3 – 1 MAD Lions KOI
- Time: 33:09
- Kills: 21 – 14
- Turrets: 10 – 4
- Gold: 67.3k – 57.4k
- Dragons: 2 – 3
- Barons: 2 – 0
And with that, the 2024 LEC Winter Split has ended with G2 winning another championship! While MAD Lions KOI lost, they put up a hell of a fight with a roster that nobody believed in, and got 2nd place with 4 rookies. Still, G2 Esports will be the first EMEA representative in the 2024 MSI.
The LEC will return on March 9th with the first day of the Spring Regular Season! Keep an eye on ESTNN for the latest roster swaps and information!
