After a disappointing exit at Worlds 2022, G2 Esports are looking to make another set of changes.
Ever since their international runs in 2018-19, especially after their win at MSI 2019, G2 Esports has been synonymous with success in LEC. They’ve been the team European fans generally look to when Worlds time came, but the tides have been changing in the last year or so. Coming into 2021, the organization made some sweeping changes as they parted ways with their long-time star Luka “Perkz” Perković and signed Carl Martin Erik “Rekkles” Larsson to form what many considered a superteam.
After failing to win LEC for two splits in a row, and also not making Worlds 2021, that roster was disbanded with Rekkles leaving. In addition, two more members of G2’s MSI winning roster, Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle and Martin “Wunder” Nordahl Hansen had also left the team, signaling a semi-rebuilding process. G2 started out the 2022 season with the adding Sergen “Broken Blade” Çelik, Victor “Flakked” Lirola Tortosa and Raphaël “Targamas” Crabbé. This younger roster managed to win the LEC Spring 2022 and represented EU at this year’s MSI, and then made Worlds 2022, even after losing in the Summer Finals, 0-3 against Rogue.
Disappointment on the international stage
Despite G2 being the 2nd seed of Europe, they had some high expectations going into Worlds 2022 as the team had a good international showing at MSI, and they still had veterans like Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski and Rasmus “caPs” Borregaard Winther. Unfortunately for the fans, Worlds did not go well for G2. The team only found one win in their six games, against LCS’s Evil Geniuses, and lost all four of their games against LPL and LCK teams, in which they did not look good.
And now coming fresh out of Worlds, rumors about roster changes already started to surface. According to a tweet from Upcomer’s Brieuc “LEC Wooloo” Seeger, G2 Esports has allowed Flakked and Jankos to explore their options for 2023.
[Sources] Bot laner Flakked 🇪🇸 and Jungler Jankos 🇵🇱 have been allowed to explore their options as they will not be a part of G2 Esports roster next year. pic.twitter.com/b3pRPg0FYD
— LEC Wooloo 🇪🇺 (@LEC_Wooloo) October 19, 2022
While parting ways with Flakked might not be a big surprise as the young ADC has been a big target for criticism in G2’s losses in LEC Finals and Worlds, Jankos’ departure shocked the fans as the jungler has been a big part of not only G2 roster but also the brand for so many years by now.
Jankos joined G2 Esports in December 2017, after finding success in EU and on the international stage on H2k-Gaming. During his tenure with G2, Jankos became one of the most successful Western players, ever. Jankos won five LEC titles with G2, four of them back-to-back-to-back-to-back, and won 2x EU MVP titles in the Summer of 2019 and Spring of 2020.
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Image credit: Riot Games
