The echoes of 17,000 cheering fans still reverberate through Madrid`s Caja Mágica, but one sound rings clearest: the roar for G2 Esports. Against a backdrop of surging competition, they clinched their 17th League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) title at the 2025 Summer Finals. This victory not only marks their first championship of the year but also decisively secures EMEA’s top seed for the highly anticipated World Championship in China.
Madrid`s Electric Atmosphere: A Stage for Champions
Spain, a nation known for its fiery passion, provided a fitting cauldron for the LEC Summer Finals. Local favorites, Movistar KOI, galvanized the crowd, transforming the arena into a pulsating sea of blue. Yet, it was G2 Esports, often seen as the stoic strategists of the European circuit, who methodically dismantled their opponents. The final series against MKOI was a masterclass in swift, decisive plays, culminating in a dominant 3-0 sweep that silenced the home crowd`s hopes while earning their respect.
At the heart of G2`s triumph was an individual performance that defied his relative newcomer status. Jungler Rudy ‘SkewMond’ Semaan, while narrowly missing the Rookie of the Year accolade, demonstrated veteran-level composure and tactical brilliance. His synergy with support Labrov was palpable, orchestrating game-changing plays with an impressive 84% kill participation and an eye-watering 16/2/28 KDA. SkewMond’s Finals MVP award wasn`t just a nod to raw statistics; it was a testament to his pivotal role in G2`s return to the summit.
Caps on the Evolution of Competition: A Sharper Edge
For midlaner Rasmus ‘Caps’ Winther, this 15th LEC title with G2 carries a unique weight. This wasn`t merely another trophy; it was a testament to resilience in what has been, by his own admission, an unprecedentedly competitive year. For the first time in LEC history, each split crowned a different champion – a stark departure from the G2-dominated narratives of old. One might even suggest the league decided to try on different crowns before realizing the original still fit best.
Caps openly attributes G2’s earlier losses in the Winter and Spring Finals to internal disconnects, a rare admission from a player so often associated with relentless consistency. However, he quickly pivots to commend the growth of their rivals.
“I think with us underperforming a bit and doing a bit worse, I guess I just left space for everyone else to step up,” reflected the seasoned mid laner. “We had three different winners, but even Fnatic was also doing very well this whole year, and they had some strong performances as well. And I mean even GIANTX, I think on stage they sometimes did a bit worse, but especially in scrims, they were taking a lot of games from us and their other top team. So it was definitely a very competitive year.”
This candid assessment paints a vivid picture of a LEC landscape where no victory is guaranteed, and every opponent demands respect. The era of unchallenged dominance seems to have matured into a more nuanced, cutthroat environment, pushing every team, including G2, to refine their craft.
The Unwavering Drive for Worlds
Despite the competitive heat of the LEC, the ultimate objective for Caps and G2 remains unchanged: the World Championship. When asked by fans about the secret to maintaining such a high level of performance, Caps’ answer was clear and concise: a combination of exceptional teammates and an insatiable shared ambition.
“I’ve always had very strong teammates who push me, and we push each other,” he affirmed. “I really want to win Worlds, and for that, we need to be a lot better than even the LEC teams.”
This statement encapsulates the mindset of a true champion. Winning domestically is a stepping stone, a crucial calibration before facing the global titans. G2’s victory in Madrid isn`t just a celebration of an LEC title; it`s a declaration of intent. They have navigated the choppy waters of a highly competitive domestic season, rediscovered their synergy, and proven their mettle. Now, with the top EMEA seed in hand, their gaze is firmly fixed on China, ready to test their renewed strength against the world’s best. The kings have returned, and their ambition has never been clearer.
