Any miracle runners?
LEC: How Each Team Can Make It To The Season Finals
The LEC summer split is heading into its next phase, the group stage. Eight teams are playing for a spot in the playoffs – and some of them are under immense pressure, as missing the playoffs will result in the end of their 2023 season. Others are in a comfy spot and will play for the highest possible season finals seed instead. We have taken a look at everyone's chances ahead of the first week of groups.
Firstly: Three teams are out of question already. Astralis are already eliminated from the season finals. G2 Esports and MAD Lions are already qualified as winter and spring split champions. That leaves seven other teams in the battle for four more spots in the season finals.
Well, technically, not all of them are actively fighting for their chances. Team Vitality have not qualified for the group stage, but because of their good results in the previous splits they still have a theoretical chance to qualify for the season finals.
What Needs To Happen For Vitality To Qualify
Vitality are the only team still in contention for the season finals that has not qualified for the group stage. Their third place finish in spring split might be their saving grace, they currently rank in fifth place in the LEC championship points standings. With Astralis already eliminated, there is one dangerous competitor less they need to be worried about. However, their chances are still not great.
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Right behind them are SK Gaming, and they only need to win a single match in the group stage to be clear of Vitality. If that happens, they need the rest of the field to stop Fnatic, Team Heretics and Excel Esports, as any of those teams overtaking them would end Vitality's 2023 season.
BDS Have It Easy While KOI Might Have To Worry
KOI had to deal with a rather disappointing spring split, but their third place in winter and their qualification for the group stage elevates them to fourth place in the championship points standings. BDS are ranking above them in third following their stellar spring split that saw them finish in second place. BDS are safely qualified for the season finals by winning at least one match in the group stage.
KOI, on the other hand, may need some assistance as even sixth place would not be sufficient, should Fnatic and Team Heretics both reach the finals in playoffs. However, KOI have already taken matters into their own hands after a rather disappointing winter split regular season, so it is safe to say they have the experience necessary to withstand the pressure.
Will The Bottom Three Teams Treat Us To A Miracle Run?
Life is much harder for the bottom three teams in the championship points standings, despite their resurgence in the regular season. Fnatic and Team Heretics need to beat the group stage and qualify for playoffs if they want a chance to qualify for the season finals. If they want to start the season finals in the upper bracket, they will have to go to the grand finals. Their rise in form this summer is a reason for optimism among their fans, though.
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Excel Esports need to take it a step further, as they need to make it to the top three in order to collect a sufficient amount of championship points. Realistically, they need to make it to the grand finals, since they would not overtake Vitality with a third place.
Who Will Make It To The Season Finals?
The season finals will take place from August 19 to September 10. The top three teams will qualify for the 2023 World Championship. Fourth place will qualify for the Worlds Qualifying Series, where they will face off against the fourth seed from LCS for a spot in the World Championship Play-Ins.