exceL vs Astralis

The very last day of the 2022 LEC Summer Split. A poignant moment, but also one that is imbued with immense potential and hype. There are still numerous burning questions lingering in the air, most of which will be answered in a matter of hours. So, needless to say, if you can manage it, make sure to clear out your schedule and tune in as you do not want to miss out on any of the action!

EXCEL vs. Astralis might not be a spectacle of epic proportions, but it's still a fun match-up with a fair bit of potential. Both teams are feisty and capable, and they also have a very good reason to tryhard. EXCEL are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs but they don't have total control over their fate. Astralis, on the other hand, can no longer make Top 6. They've done a fair bit better than anyone expected, but they still came up short — for a wide variety of reasons. Now that the dust has (at least somewhat) settled, we can more easily discern who's good, why, and whether they have any long-term potential. Astralis improved leaps and bounds throughout the split, and if they keep building on this foundation in the future there's not a doubt on our mind that they could make playoffs next split and leave some kind of a mark once everything is said and done.

EXCEL, however, are still a cut above. They might not be the most consistent team around, but they're still exceptional at the game and can, by all means, pack one heck of a punch. They also have a very good reason to try their absolute hardest — if they beat Astralis (and Vitality end up losing to Rogue) — EXCEL would force a tiebreaker for the very last playoff spot. So, expect an action-packed affair and a game that's bound to deliver in all the right ways!