One week in hell pt. 1

Today marks the dawn of the Championship Series' first super week, spanning a whopping 12 games starting this Wednesday. Though there's decisively dominant forces as well as the not so triumphant teams, this week could mean a clean slate for these teams where new stories can be scribed and new legends may arise. Anything can go in week 4 of the LCS where stamina becomes a very important factor and the true testament to dedication and work-ethic begins to unravel. Though all the matches are bound to be exciting and ultra important, we've pointed out a few you should be looking out for.

GosuRankings
Click here for WEEK 3 rankings
Click here for full rankings

NOTE: The number in the first parentheses shows team's position in the overall GosuRankings. The number in the second parentheses shows the climb/fall compared to last week's standings.

1. Fnatic (#5) (+1)
2. Gambit Gaming (#6) (-1)
3. Team Curse (#8) (-)
4. Evil Geniuses (#9) (-)
5. Team Dignitas (#13) (+1)
6. Team Solimid (#15) (+1)
7. Counter Logic Gaming (#18) (-2)
8. Against All Authority (#25) (+4)
9. Dragonborns (#26) (-)
10. GIANTS! Gaming (#28) (-2)
11. Vulcun (#32) (+3)
12. SK Gaming (#33) (-2)
13. Complexity (#48) (-2)
14. Team MRN (#153) (-1)
15. Copenhagen Wolves (#220) (-)
16. Good Game University (#222) (-)

Media poll rankings
Media representatives: R. Kolev (GosuGamers), J. Cady (ESFI World), D. Steiner (GameZone), A. LeFleur (MOBAFire), T. Gafford (GameSpot), MoonBear (TeamLiquid), Z. Mazzotta (Machinima), A. Penn (Leaguepedia)
Source

1. Fnatic (+7)
2. Team Curse (-1)
3. Evil Geniuses (-1)
4. Gambit Gaming (-1)
5. Team Dignitas (+1)
6. SK Gaming (-1)
7. Counter Logic Gaming (-4)
8. Team Solimid (-1)
9. Vulcun Command(+6)
10. GIANTS! Gaming (-)
11. Against All Authority (+2)
12. Dragonborns (-1)
13. Complexity (+1)
14. Team MRN (+2)
15. Good Game University (-6)
16. Copenhagen Wolves (-4)

CLG vs VULCUN
February 27th, 20:00 CET

It is with sincere judgement that many could agree the opening game to this glorious marathon of competitive gaming is, in fact, a top match to look out for. The stories made by these two teams is intriguing, with the ever-so-famous Aphromoo leaving Vulcun for CLG and the performance of Vulcun on the rise, something no one would initially suspect as the result of the roster change. Not to mention, Zuna more than adequately replaced him in the position of AD Carry while still toting the charismatic visage that Aphro once held for his team in the form of enthusiasm and passionate yelling.

This past week has shown Vulcun to be on an upswing while the facts are quite the contrary for Counter Logic Gaming. With one team demoralized and the other greatly invigorated, this definitely opens up the doors for a potential upset. Counter Logic Gaming may have the advantage in experience, but Vulcun Command has really got it going for them both in spirits and in clicking as a coherent team now. If CLG even slightly underestimates Vulcun’s capabilities, they could be in for a rather unfortunate surprise. Likewise, if Vulcun rides too much on their recent success, they’ll have to overlook their mentality and keep it in check.

Will Counter Logic Gaming show a glimpse of their former reign or will their cockiness get the best of them and let it slip to a less experienced team? Well one thing’s for sure, and that is that they must keep on their toes since Vulcun will only continue to get stronger now that they are fully settled in their gaming house and practicing just as hard as the rest.

CURSE vs CLG
February 29th, 02:00 CET

This is the obvious fan favorite and a no brainer, it goes without saying. Being one of the most classic clashes in the world between the team who was the original top team in NA clashing swords with the current top team of NA with the lovely crowd-pleasing feud of Curse being fueled primarily by benched CLG members. The best way to top this off is to have Kobe24 casting the match, who also happens to be a resigned member of Counter Logic Gaming.

While not necessarily a classic game, there’s quite a noticeable rivalry between the two teams and actually quite a similarity between the two teams even in their differences. Hotshot and Voyboy are both innovative and play to their own respective and unique strengths that fill the shoes of the team differently, Saintvicious and Chauster are the very vocal junglers who look to carry their team and play the role of leader, and Elementz and Aphromoo are the chill charismatic guys who fulfill their role but have no dire need of the attention. The only outliers may be Doublelift vs. Cop and Link vs. Nyjacky, one for knowingly being much more cocky than the other (from what we see) and the other because Link does not fulfill the kawaii-ness that Jiji once left with the team.

Regardless, it’s only been a few weeks and is impossible to determine what really determines the outcome between these two teams. Though on good terms, you can’t help but wonder the underlying bitterness of Counter Logic Gaming knocking Curse out of the World Championships in Season 2. Curse are back in this with a fiery passion and have deemed themselves “The Koreans of North America.” Let’s see if they are biting off more than they can chew with that statement.

CURSE vs DIGNITAS
February 28th, 04:00 CET

Another epic clash of two rivals ensues this week and this time they are both on top of the roster. Prior to the LCS beginning, Dignitas acquired their latest toplaner, KiWiKiD, who has accompanied them very successfully thus far with former top laner Crumbzz moving to the jungler and proving his flexibility with a very smooth transition. Dignitas has recently transitioned into a very solid standard play, but were always known to innovate in the past.

Curse is another team that likes to play it cool and standard, but have all shared publically that they will have some trick up their sleeve. Being the super week, it would be no surprise if Dignitas had some undercover tactics as well and could be a potentially astonishing match-up to see one or the other become an unsuspecting victim of each other’s whims. If the teams studied each other as much as they should have, certainly they won’t allow any free wins to pass, such as Imaqtpie picking up Draven.

Though Crumbzz has transitioned properly from Jungle, it is no easy task to be as experienced of old papa Saintvicious, who’s been at it from years or years without ever splitting apart from his beloved specialty. In the end, this may be a battle of stamina, and Dignitas does have their fair share of LAN experience ahead of Curse. Surely this will also play an important factor to this awesome matchup.

TSM vs Curse
March 2nd, 04:00 CET

“A third Curse match? Why, what?! Stupid fanboys!!”

But of course, in fact there is no other match up that should be featured here. Why is that?

In its essence, Curse vs TSM is a match-up between NA’s current best and NA’s former best and it’s the first time the two teams meet on LCS grounds after four weeks of competition.

For Reginald and company, this is a match of redemption. They know they’ve been dethroned. They’ve lost to the other two teams in the big four and their powers have seemingly diminished. Cracks appear in their shell and if months ago fans would’ve sworn on their lives that TSM will do amazingly in the LCS, nowadays nobody is bold enough to make that statement. TSM need a major victory, urgently.

This is where Curse comes in as the most suitable opponent of all. Saint’s team is currently the only one undefeated in the Season 3 circuit and are looking monstrous but this only makes them all the more perfect enemy. Should TSM win, they’ll see their faith in themselves restored and nowadays it’s something they desperately need.

I mean what’s the alternative? Easily lose to Curse and make the circuit boring?