A Samurai Always Get Back Up – G2 in LEC Winter 2025

G2 strengthened their ranks by securing the services of Rudy “Skewmond” Seeman, one of the most sought-after recruits of the off-season, and Labros “Labrov” Papoutsakis, who is coming off two convincing years with BDS. Will this be enough to turn around their international fortunes, while maintaining their dominance over the region?

The best sololaners in the West

G2 Esports suffered another setback at this year’s Worlds. Despite winning all the trophies they were competing for at the regional level, and finally beating an Asian team in a BO5 at the MSI (3-0 against TES). This second consecutive failure at the most important event of the year forced the organization to change its dynamic as 2025 approached. The Samurai thus parted ways with Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle and Martin “Yike” Sundelin.

It is no surprise that Rasmus “Caps” Winther is still the Western GOAT. His trophy case has gone from strength to strength since he joined the league in 2017, with 14 LEC titles and one MSI—in 2019. Given his most recent individual and team performances, we can still expect him to need plenty of space. Caps is also the only Western player to have reached the Worlds final twice, the holy grail for any player.

Especially since, outside Asia, no player has ever lifted this famous trophy in the game’s modern history—only Fnatic did so in LoL’s first season, but it didn’t have the same prestige at all. Caps is still searching for his only missing title, and so are G2. Beware, however, of the consequences of yet another setback. Although the star midlaner seems at ease in G2, his contract is due to expire this year, and all the teams must already be preparing their wallets if they are to get their foot in the door… Nevertheless, he doesn’t seem ready to relax his efforts, as evidenced by his election as the LEC MVP of The Year in 2024 after a perfect season in which his only competitor for the title was his own toplaner.

I personally voted for Sergen “BrokenBlade” Çelik at the end of the year, believing him to be the most deserving of this honor. In 2024, BB definitively established his status as leader of the best team in Europe, as well as becoming the undisputed best player at his role in the LEC. But that’s not all. Most of my vote was driven by one of the most impressive factors for a European player: the Topfather has influenced the meta worldwide. It’s not just him, of course, but the entire G2 staff who worked hard to find him interesting picks. But whether it’s Twisted Fate, Rek’Sai, Zac or the Galio top in response to Rumble at Worlds.

It was Broken Blade who revealed their full potential at the highest level before they were snapped up by the best toplaners in Korea or China. Beyond that, BB was always exemplary at international tournaments this year. For example, he was the toplaner with the fewest Deaths on average over the two tournaments, and the best average KDA at the MSI (4.36). He was also second in average CS/Min at Worlds (8.16) as well as in the top 4 in KDA (3.70) and Kill Participation (0.65%).

Comfort or pressure zone?

Skewmond and Labrov step in with two different statuses, but both come with their share of pressure. The first is one of the most anticipated rookies this year – and the litter has never been better. As for the other, he’s been in the league for a few years and finally has the opportunity to prove his true worth by playing with his region’s finest. So yes, they’re in the most comfortable position, and they probably couldn’t have dreamed of a better team in 2025. But that also means they have no room for error. If the team doesn’t do as well as last year, they’ll be the first to be singled out. And to be honest, I don’t expect G2 to be as dominant from the start with so much movement within the league and their own team. While I can still see them or Fnatic winning the Winter trophy, my money’s on the Black and Orange this time.