Although the conflict between the EU and NATO is presented as an endless war, the winner of the latter can still be determined. The numbers don’t lie and, in most cases, these arguments are in favor of the Europeans. The 2022 Mid-Season Invitational shouldn’t be the exception that proves the rule, and here’s why.
Jankos: complement of the subject verb
G2 Esports Jungler is one of the veterans on the international scene. His experience will be crucial against a team of demonic geniuses who are about to make their international debut. Moreover, the Pole again proved to be a team metronome during the playoffs with a 73% Kill participation. Unlike the immensely expansive Champions League, always sharp game mechanics and card-reading ability, Yankos will be one of G2’s greatest assets on the side where their North American rivals are much less active.
The macro is the key to victory
Over the years, G2 has built a reputation as a very strong macro team. Averaging 3.1 dragons and 0.94 messengers per game in the playoffs, the Europeans are used to setting the pace of the game. G2 strategies often revolve around very strong midfielders and the team prefers getting dragons early in the game rather than collecting dragon souls at the top. This is a deliberate choice by G2 players, not the default dragon made when an opposing team restores the Herald for a snowball.
EGs start slow
If the G2s were the most effective team in midfield, their future rivals clashed several times at the start of the game. Despite winning overall, they only got first blood in 27.8% of their games in the LCS playoffs. Usually the team manages to get the gold in 15 minutes and the difference is never very significant, but This will pose a particular problem for Europeans. Having an early single will allow them to take a solid position in midfield, as the team has been shining lately. The combination of these two factors could lead to the loss of North Americans.
Weakness of the project
The Evil Geniuses also tended to ban Ahri in the playoffs, with a Vixen team calling out 78% of games. So if the champion is very strong in Meta today, it doesn’t matter for the other teams either. EG champion bans are only 66% of the bans he received during the LCS playoffs. Regularly banned in China as well, neither the LEC nor the LCK saw in their favor putting their priorities first (only 3 bans during the playoffs in each of these regions). At this level of competition, being challenged by a certain non-OP champion (even a very strong champion) is a huge disadvantage during the pick and ban stages. If the EGs don’t correct this shortcoming, they will directly disadvantage the Europeans before the game even begins.
End applause
The last asset of the G2 is none other than the Midlaner Caps. Daniel has already chosen the best of all midfield leaders in various international competitions. No matter how much Jojopiun Trashtalk wants, there’s still a very good chance that these caps will finally be for the smileys. Honestly, for his international baptism, the Canadian might have had more chances and not have collided directly with one of the beasts of the rivalry (because Faker and Xiaohu are not funny). Of course, to be the best, you have to beat the best (buck +12 in Philosophy Against), but starting in a group that doesn’t have such strong opponents would be good for an EG newbie to secure their target. It is therefore unlikely that Kaps will impose his own pace and thus have much more influence than his direct opponent.
Source : Millenium
