Fnatic’s Major Roster Shake-up: From European Powerhouse to Team Rebuilding
Fnatic, the renowned European esports organization, recently experienced a major setback in the League of Legends competitive scene. After a fast and one-sided loss to Schalke 04 Esports in the 2021 Spring Split playoff series, Fnatic failed to secure a spot in the LEC final four for the first time in four and a half years. The team’s CEO, Sam Matthews, openly acknowledged their poor performance in a tweet, stating, “Not good enough. We know.”
In the aftermath of this defeat, Fnatic found itself facing a critical decision. Bwipo, Selfmade, and Hylissang, key members of the team, had expiring contracts, and with Bwipo and Selfmade declining contract extensions, changes were necessary to improve the team’s performance in the upcoming summer split and avoid missing out on the World Championship for the first time in five years.
The Arrival of Adam and Bwipo’s Role Swap
To address these challenges, Fnatic made a bold move by signing 19-year-old French superstar Adam. This decision also paved the way for a role swap, with Bwipo transitioning to the jungle position. The coaching staff and players believed that this change would enhance the team’s communication and synergy, particularly between Bwipo and Hylissang. The swap seemed like a natural fit, as Bwipo’s playstyle and strengths align more with a jungler’s responsibilities.
Selfmade’s Move to Team Vitality
With Bwipo’s transition, Selfmade’s position in Fnatic became uncertain. However, Team Vitality saw an opportunity and signed the talented jungler. This move surprised many fans, as Vitality was one of the league’s weakest teams, while Selfmade was considered one of Europe’s top junglers. Nevertheless, Vitality’s CEO, Nico Maurer, saw it as a chance for the team to rebuild and recapture its previous successes.
The Outcomes for Fnatic and Vitality
In the current LEC Summer Split, Fnatic has exceeded expectations and is tied for first place with Rogue. Bwipo has impressed as the team’s new jungler, while Adam has quickly established himself as one of the league’s top top laners. On the other hand, Vitality has struggled to find success, despite the addition of Selfmade and other roster changes. The team is fighting for a playoff spot but faces tough competition in the final week of the regular season.
This roster shake-up has undoubtedly brought both challenges and opportunities for Fnatic and Vitality. Only time will tell how these changes ultimately impact the teams’ performances and their journeys to reclaim their former glory.
Fnatic, roster shake-up, League of Legends, LEC, Adam, Bwipo, Selfmade, Team Vitality