H2k are the real deal

G2 are legitimate contenders

Vitality are slowly coming together

Fnatic will need some more time to gel

Origen will re-emerge from the shadows

Side Notes:

EU LCS Week 3 Standings

1. G2 Esports : 5-1

1. H2k-Gaming : 5-1

3. Team Vitality : 4-2

3. Unicorns of Love : 4-2

5. Elements : 3-3

5. Fnatic : 3-3

5. Origen : 3-3

8. Splyce : 2-4

9. Team ROCCAT : 1-5

10. Giants Gaming : 0-6

Images courtesy of lolesports

Despite the apparent exodus of players to NA LCS, EU still retains some of the best talent in the West. A long history of producing great players will be put to the test this split, as a large number of rookies look to stake their claim to be the next rising star.The current front runners of the league, the revamped H2k is living up to the community's expectations. An almost flawless record is only mired by one slight hick-up against Fnatic, a match they arguably should have won. Even with mid lanerYo "Ryu" Sang-ook having visa problems in the last week, and substituteMarcin "SELFIE" Wolski stepping in, they still went 2-0 and looked very good whilst doing so. Every player has the potential and skill in order to carry games,With notable players in every position, particularly the best Western ADC inKonstantinos "FORG1VEN" Tzortziou, H2k look to have actually created the first real EU super team. If they continue to develop synergy and can prove themselves in international competition, there is no reason not to believe they will become a worlds class contender like last year's Fnatic and Origen were.A team nobody really considered to be top-tier when they entered the league, G2 have surprised and wowed everybody with their heads up aggressive style. Former CJ Entus junglerKim "Trick" Gang-yun is a highly skilled player, breathing some fresh air into the league and covering up the weaknesses of a somewhat dodgy top laner in the form ofMateusz "Kikis" Szkudlarek.But it is the stand out rookie,Luka "PerkZ" Perković that looks to be the find of this season. Refer back to this article when he wins the EU LCS Rookie of the Split award, as he appears to be the next in a long line of great EU mid laners. His great assassin play reminds me a little of prime Alex Ich, and I will certainly watch out for him to lead the charge as G2 attempt to challenge H2k for the No.1 spot.A team initially rated around 3-4th, Vitality certainly look to have the ability to challenge for a higher spot. A shaky Week 1 has been built upon, and with proven talent such asErlend "Nukeduck" Våtevik Holm there is much hope for the future. End of season placing is a bit difficult to predict, as we are yet to see if Fnatic and Origen can recover their form.Always an inconsistent player,Ilyas "Shook" Hartsema has been the main downside of the team so far. He has been consistently caught out for his over aggression, and looks a much different player form his Season 4 hayday. When on his game he is one of the most dangerous junglers around, and he will need to improve his play if Vitality want a title shot.Once again an almost brand new Fnatic roster enters the LCS, seeking to emulate their past line-up. Retaining 2 players of yester year, but without the veteran presence ofBora "YellOwStaR" Kim, Fnatic have clearly struggled with leadership. They play a slow methodical style, but appear to lack the decisiveness to swiftly finish a team off, as shown by their incredibly dull game against Splyce this last week.Lee "Spirit" Da-yoon has yet show his legendary Samsung Blue form, and while he appears to have bonded with the team socially, in game he can sometimes be found off by himself. In my opinion Fnatic simply need time. The old roster didn't immediately click, and it will take a while for the newer players to fully adhere to Deilor's coaching methods.There was a feeling of panic when Origen went 0-2 in Week 1, the majority of people beginning to write them off, questioning the loss of xPeke, and wondering how they could ever possibly win again. To be honest this seemed a gross overreaction. A self confessed lack of grasp on the patch, and some members possessing a history of not always trying their hardest, Origen were merely having a small slump.Over the next couple of weeks they have gotten better and better, going 2-0 last week and I am certain they will be up the top come playoff time. Their roster is simply too proven to fail, and star ADCJesper "Zven" Svenningsen has always performed to an incredibly high level.- Unicorns of Love have once again defied the odds and built a competent team with players many thought would be lacklustre. However, losing legendary junglerDanil "Diamondprox" Reshetnikov to visa issues may hurt the team in the long run as they appeared to rely greatly on his experience.- Whilst many people hopped aboard the Elements hype train after they went 2-0 in week 2, they forgot that they were facing very weak opponents. They may be slightly more coordinated than many have assumed, but I still think they will sink towards the bottom of the standings, lacking that star quality and the explosiveness to challenge the better teams.- ROCCAT and Giants are a mess.Mohammad "Safir" Karim Tokhi is clearly struggling to adapt, and with little hope coming from the other positions, ROCCAT appear to be on a downward trajectory. Star Giants mid lanerIsaac "xPePii" Flores is not playing to the level we know he is capable of, and despite a change of junglers, Giants look certain for the 10th spot.