LoL: 2021 LEC Summer Playoffs Recap- Fnatic vs Vitality

It’s time for some elimination matches as Fnatic take on Vitality, with the loser going home.

In the first elimination match of the 2021 Summer Playoffs, all the pressure was on this weekend's second series. With the victor setting up a match against Misfits, before a Lower Bracket Final against G2 Esports. While Vitality was the underdogs, jungler Selfmade would likely have a score to settle with his former team, as he looked to prove what they’re missing.

Game One

To kick off Game One, it was VIT that picked up First Blood on the top side of the map after a jungle roam. VIT then double down by grabbing two massive kills in the mid-lane as Bwipo and Nisqy fell. Not too long after, another fight went the way of VIT on the bottom side as FNC desperately tried to stay in the game. FNC was able to trade back a kill, but VIT was out for blood.

Bwipo made two massive plays to keep FNC alive in the game, picking up two kills for himself in the bottom-lane while the VIT members retreated under their tier-two tower. Sadly for FNC, when it came time to actually team fight, they fell apart. VIT was set up perfectly to counter FNC at the drake pit, and with a decisive team fight, VIT moved to 7k ahead. In response, FNC tried to make a play on the top side, and while it started out well with a kill, VIT was more than equal to it. They turned the play around and cleaned FNC off the Rift. With a prime opportunity, VIT moved to take a free Baron with an almost 9k lead.

With Baron, FNC did their best to hold VIT but did so in vain. VIT was just too strong for them and they simply pushed them aside, taking Game One in just 24 minutes.

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Game Two

As opposed to Game One, the big start came out for FNC in Game Two. While First Blood went over to VIT, FNC picked up three kills in the mid-lane during the fight. One of these came immediately after Lider came back into the lane, putting him in a pretty tough spot. Afterward, VIT was able to get a kill on the top side before FNC traded back two for themselves on the bot-side of the map. VIT moved bot-side to recover a kill but ended up losing two more in the process.

When we finally got our first team fight, it was FNC who again came out on top. While VIT picked up the first kill, FNC claimed two in return, before knocking down the mid-lane outer tower. Yet more kills for FNC, this time two on the top side shortly after, as well as one-for-one trade on the bot-side to move to 8k ahead. VIT desperately tried to stay in the game, and with a team fight on the top side of the map, they managed to trade two-for-one. While the lead was still with FNC, VIT continued to stay relevant despite the deficit. Despite the previous fight, the 5v5 fight around Baron went the way of FNC, where they picked up four kills and a Baron buff for their trouble.

With Baron, FNC decided to move for a top side 4v5, taking down the top Inhibitor, while securing the Drake in the process. VIT was unable to stop FNC as they bulldozed through their base, bringing the series tied at 1-1.

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Game Three

Once again, it looked like it would be the perfect start for FNC as they secured First Blood. However, they dropped two kills in the subsequent fight, giving the advantage, albeit slight, to VIT. It was a much scrappier Game Three, with kills traded again one-for-one before a 2v2 fight went the way of FNC in the bot side, evening the gold out. With the VIT jungle exposed, FNC moved in soon after and claimed two more kills on the bottom side of the map as they came back strong.

The next major play was once again a FNC one, setting up a three-man collapse onto the VIT mid-lane. While initially, it’s a 2-0 for FNC, VIT managed to snipe a member on the retreated. The bot-side saw the next action, with the outer base tower exposed, FNC was able to take down three-for-one in the trade, though the VIT base did manage to survive. Then, there was another big fight for FNC, and this time it’s all on Nisqy. He’s able to put out massive damage across the VIT champions and helped FNC extend their lead. Looking to survive, VIT made a call to push in the FNC mid-lane. Here, they took a tower down but lost a member for their trouble.

VIT continued to try and stay in the game, but every fight started with them losing a member. With Baron back on the map, FNC postured towards it. Try as they might, VIT simply couldn't answer what FNC brought to team fights. They took down VIT in the team fight and pushed on to knock down the Nexus. With the win, FNC moved to series point.

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Game Four

This time, it was VIT who picked up First Blood on the top side of the map, killing Adam, who just wasn’t tanky enough at this early stage. FNC tried to get right back into the game by ganking top side themselves, however, they didn't do the damage required as Selfmade showed up to take down Bwipo. VIT went back top-side moments later, picking up yet another kill onto Selfmade as VIT looked dominant early.

We got our first big team fight at the 15-minute mark, and despite some explosive action, it ended in a two-for-one trade in favor of VIT. Shortly after, there was another big moment in this series for VIT. A fight in the top side looked to be going the way of FNC, but VIT turned it and walked away with two valuable kills. Right after, there was another tight fight in the bottom river, but Lider flanked from too far away, and FNC was able to take a two-for-one fight as they closed the gap. But VIT was quickly able to make up for it in the next fight when FNC starting up the Baron. Here, VIT was able to beat them in a fight and take down all five members of FNC.

With VIT pushing into the FNC base, they were too strong for FNC to stop them, despite Bwipo’s best efforts. The victory for VIT took the series to a fifth and final game, as both sides desperately looked to keep their LEC title, and Worlds, dreams alive.

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Game Five

In the final game of the day, it was FNC that came out on top in the early game. A bot lane 3v2 at level one after Bwipo stole the VIT red buff resulted in a welcome First Blood. Shortly after, FNC went back to the bot-side to snag another kill. With just four minutes on the clock, FNC had a 1k lead. VIT was finally able to get on the board by the eight-minute mark, taking down Adam in the top lane.

FNC continued to turn the screw, while the game had slowed down after a frantic start. FNC pushed bot-side, caught out Szygenda, and bagged themselves another kill with their lead up to 3.3k. The biggest team fight of the game broke out with Soul Drake spawning, where FNC was able to get a kill early. And with VIT retreating, FNC was able to secure the Soul point and reset. With Baron up, FNC yet again was just too tanky for VIT. They took down two more members then secured Baron and looked to advance. It was a slow and steady advance for FNC. They waited for their moment as VIT desperately tried to hold on.

Eventually, FNC found their way into the VIT base, and VIT had nothing to stop the rampage. FNC destroyed the VIT base, sending them home and taking the series 3-2. VIT is now eliminated from Playoffs, while FNC sets up for a Round Two match against Misfits next week.

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