Korean dominance in the competitive League of Legends scene has been consistent, with their mechanical and strategic superiority. However, some western teams have managed to challenge them, such as Fnatic and Moscow Five, proving that Western teams can compete at the highest level.
Fnatic’s Amazing Performance
Fnatic’s performance in the MSI semi-finals was truly remarkable. They pushed a top Korean team to the deciding match in a best-of-5 series, a feat only achieved by one other Western team in the history of competitive League of Legends.
The top European teams of 2012, Moscow Five and Counter Logic Gaming: Europe, were the first and only Western teams to defeat serious Eastern competition. Fnatic in 2012 also had the potential for similar international success, even though they lost to Azubu Blaze and SK Telecom T1 in late-2012/early-2013.
The Legendary Moscow Five
Moscow Five, consisting of Alex Ich, Diamondprox, Genja, Gosu Pepper, and Darien, was arguably the best team in the world during their prime. They dominated any team they faced after intense boot camps before major LAN events. They even won IEM Season VII: Global Challenge Katowice, solidifying their position as the world’s best League of Legends team.
Counter Logic Gaming: Europe’s Success
Counter Logic Gaming: Europe, led by Froggen, was the only Western team to defeat Moscow Five in a major offline tournament. They had an impressive run in the Azubu international invitational, defeating top Chinese and Korean teams, making them the first and only Western team to beat a Korean team in a best-of-5 series.
Despite their success, CLG.EU struggled against the best teams in the world, showing weaknesses in every role except for Froggen’s outstanding performance. CLG.EU and Moscow Five both reached the 3rd/4th spots at the Season 2 World Championship, showcasing the strength of European teams.
The Decline of Western Relevance
Since the Summer of 2013, the East vs West argument has been heavily one-sided with the East’s dominance. Western teams have struggled to achieve significant results in international competitions, with only a handful of exceptions.
North American teams, such as Counter Logic Gaming: North America and Cloud 9, have shown potential against international competition but failed to achieve major success. European teams have been inconsistent, with no team making it past the group stages in recent years.
Europe’s Last Hope: EU LCS
The EU LCS has shown promise in recent years. Fnatic, H2K, Origen, Elements, Gambit, SK, and Unicorns of Love are all strong teams capable of finishing high in the EU Summer Playoffs.
Fnatic’s powerful performance at MSI, with the addition of Rekkles, makes them a powerhouse in the Western scene. H2K has shown consistent improvement and is considered the second best Western team after Fnatic. Origen has experienced players with world championship experience.
Elements, despite a disappointing previous split, has shown potential with their new lineup. Gambit’s acquisition of Forg1ven has the potential to create a strong bot lane. SK and Unicorns of Love have also proven their skills in challenging top European teams.
This pool of promising teams in the EU LCS gives hope for a return to the M5/CLG.EU era when European teams were one series away from being crowned World Champions. With the changes in the competitive scene, Europe has a chance to make a comeback.
*Image taken from “League of Legends VODS” youtube channel.
esports, League of Legends, MSI, Korean dominance, Western teams, Fnatic, Moscow Five, Counter Logic Gaming: Europe, EU LCS, European teams.