European League of Legends Teams Face Time Crunch Before World Championship
As the 2023 World Championship approaches, League of Legends teams around the world are gearing up for the highly anticipated event. However, European teams are facing a unique challenge as the LEC has yet to begin its final regional tournament, the 2023 LEC Season Finals.
Fans have begun to realize that the new schedule for EMEA rosters doesn’t allow enough time for rest, preparation, and travel before international play begins. Some fans are even accusing the LEC of “sabotaging” itself due to the recent changes implemented this year.
Under the LEC’s new three-split system, the Summer Split concluded on Sunday, July 30, with G2 Esports securing yet another victory against Excel Esports. Following the Summer Playoffs, Riot Games introduced a three-week break with no LEC competition before the Season Finals.
As a result, the Season Finals are scheduled to start on Saturday, Aug. 19, and run until Sunday, Sept. 10. While this timeline works for the LEC’s top three teams, the region’s fourth seed will have limited time to prepare for the crucial series against the LCS’ fourth seed in the Worlds Qualifying Series.
The Worlds Qualifying Series pits the fourth seeds from both the LEC and LCS against each other, vying for the opportunity to represent their region in the Play-in Stage of the tournament.
The fourth seed of the LCS, Golden Guardians, was eliminated from playoff contention two days ago. This means they have ample time to bootcamp, scout opponents, and develop new strategies. However, the fourth seed of the LEC will not be determined until Saturday, Sept. 2, leaving little time for scouting, preparation, and potential bootcamping before facing off against Golden Guardians.
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Similar challenges arose earlier this year when the Spring Playoffs ended just a week before the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational. MAD Lions had only nine days to prepare and travel to London, where they were ultimately defeated in consecutive series against T1 and G2.
Looking ahead, LEC fans are hopeful that changes will be made to allow more time between events, giving teams the opportunity to rest and strategize effectively. It may require some time and experimentation from Riot’s side, but finding a balance that satisfies both the crowd and the competitors is crucial for the future of the scene.
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