League of Legends Worlds 2024: G2 Esports, The Samurai Strikes Back (18/20)

The League of Legends 2024 World Championship kicks off in Berlin on the 25th of September. A total of 20 teams will compete to succeed T1 at the top of the Riot Games MOBA world hierarchy. On this occasion, Sheep Esports brings you a daily feature on one of the teams taking part. This September 22nd, the eighteenth episode of our series focuses on G2 Esports, LEC first seed.

After last year's disappointment at Worlds, being eliminated by BLG in the very last round of the Swiss Stage after losing to NA seed NRG in the fourth match, the management decided to keep the same roster as the previous year. This is a rare event in Europe and in LoL Esports in general. It showed how committed G2 is to its overall strategy and that they firmly believe they had the best players in every position last year. As a result, they invested another full year with this exceptional roster, which proved from the beginning of the 2024 season that the G2 era is far from over.

G2 accomplished the first European grand slam since the new format, which was introduced last year, winning all three splits in Europe as well as the Season Finals. What’s most surprising is how G2’s dominance has come without shocking anyone, and more remarkably, without the team even showcasing their very best level throughout the year.

However, despite an extremely high win rate all year long, G2 lost two best-of-five series this season, and both defeats came recently: against Fnatic in the Summer Playoffs and against MAD Lions KOI in the Season Finals (both 3-2). Indeed, the recent period has been G2's most vulnerable stretch. Although this didn't stop them from claiming the title, it raised some concerns about their form heading into Worlds. This however might be the sign of a team already sure to play at Worlds and slowing down its pace to bring their A-game to the most important competition of the year.

At MSI, the Samurais sent a message of hope to their fans. After a very close series against T1, which they lost 3-2, G2 went on to crush Top Esports 3-0 in the loser bracket, delivering the first significant European victory against an Asian team in about three and a half years. They lost momentum when facing T1 again in the next match, but this glimpse of their peak performance brought a lot of hope for their ability to make a strong run in these Worlds

On the bright side, G2 will benefit from playing at home, in Berlin, without the need to spend time traveling or adjusting to a new environment. They will also compete on the same stage in the LEC studio during the Swiss Stage. The only drawback is that they might not be able to scrim against Chinese and Korean teams right away, as these teams have yet to arrive in Europe. However, G2’s General Manager, Romain Bigeard, believes this could work in their favor, giving them an element of surprise when facing these teams later in the tournament.

G2 is very probably the very best Western team sent in the tournament for they have many strengths. It lies in their wide champion pool, allowing them to adapt seamlessly to any meta while showcasing insane mechanics across the team. They also thrive in chaotic situations, often being compared to the most "Chinese" team outside of the LPL for their ability to embrace unpredictability and turn games around. G2 can secure victories through any lane, making them incredibly versatile. Even when they are 15k gold behind, they are never truly out of the game, always finding ways to claw back and humiliate their opponents in often very creative way.

The main architect of this conquering roster is Rasmus "Caps" Borregaard Winther. This year again, there was a clear gap between him and the other European midlaners. He has been the most consistent player throughout the season and has earned the LEC 2024 MVP title, the fourth in his career. He is the most entitled player in Europe and carries with him the legacy of the West's only win at MSI in 2019. He is able to play anything and is coming to this Worlds looking for the remaining title he misses.

Another player to monitor is Steven "Hans Sama" Liv. The veteran ADC is back on the international stage aiming to prove himself once more after one of his very best year in his overall career. Alongside Mihael "Mikyx" Mehle, he has showcased his extremely dominant laning playstyle while improving a lot on his teamfights. After gaping Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong at MSI 2024 (at least in laning phases), he is thirsty for other legendary players to hunt.

Overall, the roster arrives in the tournament as the strongest underdog, being the most reliable force the West is sending to overcome LPL and LCK. They should play their first match on October 3rd while their opponent will be known after Play-Ins ends.

You'll find below the 5-man roster of G2 Esports: