Team Vitality are assured another season of mid-table mediocrity in the EU LCS after displaying their superiority to league newcomers Mysterious Monkeys.
The EU LCS Week 3 undercard bout featured two of the league’s most likely candidates to face relegation in the Summer Promotion Tournament. Vitality have occupied the awkward middle ground in the EU LCS for a number of consecutive splits, perhaps regarded as the one truly mid-tier team in the division.
Having impressed even in defeat during their opening matches of the Summer Split, Mysterious Monkeys appeared to pose a serious threat to Team Vitality’s comfortable state of mediocrity; VIT knew a loss to the newly promoted squad would put them in a dangerous position in Group B.
For a brief period, it looked as if Team Vitality may finally be forced to get their shoes dirty and scrap as part of the EU LCS’ relegation dogfight.
Mysterious Monkeys continued their trend of enjoying a strong early game during the opening game of the series, but were critically unable to increase their lead enough to really cause Vitality to break into a sweat.
An ill-judged baron attempt turned the tide of the match, allowing for VIT jungler Charly “Djoko” Guillard to earn some form of redemption after an awkward display against Splyce in Week 2.
Empowered by baron and with the Mysterious Monkeys aced, Vitality proceeded to close out the first game of the series.
The @MonkeysGER try to rush the Baron but get aced after @V_Djoko manages to steal it away! #EULCS pic.twitter.com/D7dSyCQGti
— lolesports (@lolesports) 15 June 2017
Mysterious Monkeys seemingly lost the will to fight in Game 2, unable to scratch the surface of the Vitality roster at all. VIT comfortably outmuscled Mysterious Monkeys throughout the game, with Oskar “Vander” Bogdan flexing his muscles as he secured comprehensive vision control.
Sneaking the baron from under MM’s nose, Vitality cracked the base and sealed the series. With their victory over Mysterious Monkeys, Vitality have assured that the natural order of the EU LCS is maintained.
Baron Nashor for @Team_Vitality after they take out 4 monkeys! #EULCS pic.twitter.com/tO6AgU4OAX
— lolesports (@lolesports) 15 June 2017
Below Vitality, the likes of Team ROCCAT, Mysterious Monkeys and Ninjas in Pyjamas will continue scrap to avoid relegation, with VIT’s recent victory ensuring they never find themselves dragged into the mud themselves.
Team ROCCAT may yet provide a challenge for Team Vitality, but with two team’s clearly defined as weaker opposition, VIT can sit back and play out the remainder of the Summer Split without looking over their shoulder: mission accomplished.
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