G2 Esports vs Cloud9 - 2018 MSI Finals

Lore & Background

G2's League of Legends team competes in the LEC. The team won the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational, becoming the only Western team to do so. At the 2018 League of Legends World Championship, G2 reached the semifinals, losing to eventual champion Invictus Gaming. The source article does not mention G2 participating in the 2018 MSI finals.

In Their Own Story

The air in the Seoul arena was thick with anticipation as the final Baron Nashor spawned. Caps' LeBlanc glided through the fog of war, invisible to the enemy's eyes, while the crowd roared in unison. In that split second before the engagement, the fate of European history hung on a single channel check. As the spell landed and the first blood rang out, the roar of the G2 fans shifted from hope to euphoria, signaling that the old order had finally fallen.

Reader's Guide

G2 Esports' League of Legends team has won nineteen domestic titles in Europe, the most of any organization. The team's 2019 MSI victory was a 3–0 sweep against Team Liquid in the grand final.

Did You Know?

• G2 became the first European team to win a Riot-sponsored international tournament since Fnatic won the Season 1 World Championship.
• G2's CS:GO team holds the second longest LAN map winning streak at 22.
• G2's Rainbow Six Siege team won two World Championships, the first team to do so.

Foundations and Identity

G2 Esports stands as a titan in the European competitive gaming landscape, headquartered in Berlin but rooted in Spanish origins. Founded on February 24, 2014, by former professional player Carlos "ocelote" Rodríguez Santiago alongside investor Jens Hilgers, the organization initially operated under the name Gamers2. A pivotal rebranding occurred on October 15, 2015, transforming them into G2 Esports just as they secured their place in the top-tier European League of Legends Championship. While their primary fame stems from League of Legends, where they hold a record nineteen domestic titles, their influence extends across numerous disciplines including Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Rainbow Six Siege. Notably, their Rainbow Six Siege division made history by becoming the first team to secure two World Championships at the Six Invitational events in 2019 and 2023. This multi-game dominance, coupled with a unique presence in traditional sports through G2 Football Club in the Kings League Germany, illustrates an organization built on aggressive expansion and a relentless pursuit of excellence across diverse competitive arenas.

The Road to International Glory

The trajectory of G2's League of Legends team is defined by dramatic swings between infamy and historic triumph. Their early international presence at the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational was marred by an infamous pre-tournament vacation that left them unprepared, resulting in a disastrous run where they lost eight of ten games. However, the narrative shifted dramatically by 2018 when the underdog squad stunned the world by reaching the World Championship semifinals, showcasing unconventional strategies like deploying Heimerdinger as an AD carry. The organization's crowning achievement arrived in 2019 following a strategic roster overhaul that brought in Caps and Mikyx while shifting Perkz to the bottom lane. This new iteration swept Team Liquid in the MSI finals, becoming the first Western team ever to win a Riot-sponsored international tournament since Season One. Although they fell short against FunPlus Phoenix at the World Championship later that year, their 2019 MSI victory cemented their legacy as the premier European force capable of conquering global stages.

Leadership Controversies and Consequences

The organization's leadership history is not without significant turbulence, particularly regarding its founder, Carlos Rodríguez. In September 2022, Rodríguez resigned as CEO amidst a scandal involving his association with internet personality Andrew Tate. The controversy began when footage of Rodríguez partying with Tate and his brother went viral, leading to an immediate suspension from his role. This incident had tangible repercussions for the organization's competitive standing; commentators widely suspected that this behavior was the primary reason G2 was denied a franchise spot in the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour season. Furthermore, Rodríguez faced a personal ban from all Riot-sanctioned competitions until November 13, 2022, requiring him to complete sensitivity and executive training before being permitted to return to the League of Legends European Championship ecosystem. These events highlighted the delicate balance between organizational management and the strict conduct standards enforced by game publishers.

Modern Geopolitics in Esports

In recent years, G2 Esports has become entangled in broader geopolitical discussions through its participation in the Esports Foundation Club Partner Program. This initiative is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and offers monetary rewards to teams that promote the Esports World Cup tournament series positively while driving engagement. While this partnership provides financial incentives for participating organizations, it has sparked significant debate within the community. Critics argue that the program serves as a sportswashing tool utilized by the Saudi government to distract global attention from its documented human rights record. By aligning with such high-profile entities, G2 finds itself at the intersection of competitive achievement and complex international relations, forcing fans and observers to weigh the benefits of sponsorship against the ethical implications of supporting regimes criticized for their social policies.