First Stand 2026 G2 Esports Preview: From Despair to Hope

The Western fans were all doom and gloom after the first four days of First Stand. Both G2 Esports and Lyon lost 3-0 in their series against Eastern opposition. Out of the doom, G2 ascended to do what no one expected them to. They won 3-0 against both LCK seeds to qualify for the Grand Final. Unfortunately, they fell 3-1 in the final to Bilibili Gaming. But their resurgence has restored hope in the EU.

G2 Esports First Stand Results

G2 played the maximum number of series at First Stand. They played five in total, winning three series. They ended the tournament with a 10-4 game record. Only their second series versus Bilibili Gaming went longer than three games.

• Won 3-0 Versus Team Secret Whales
• Lost 3-0 Versus Bilibili Gaming
• Won 3-0 Versus FearX
• Won 3-0 Versus G2 Esports
• Lost 3-1 Versus Bilibili Gaming

G2 Esports Player Review

BrokenBlade

• Total Apex Rating – 6.4 (3rd among top laners, tied 13th among players)
• Champions Played
  • K’Sante (4)
  • Sion (4)
  • Shen (2)
  • Kled
  • Ornn
  • Poppy
  • Rumble
  • Yorick

BrokenBlade was predominantly on tank duty during First Stand. His four games on K’Sante and Sion are evidence of that fact. He often held his own on the weak side. His playing tanks allowed G2 to focus on other aspects of their draft.

SkewMond

• Total Apex Rating – 7.1 (2nd among junglers, 5th among players)
• Champions Played
  • Jarvan IV (3)
  • Aatrox (2)
  • Dr. Mundo (2)
  • Pantheon (2)
  • Trundle (2)
  • Vi (2)
  • Wykong
  • Xin Zhao

SkewMond was the biggest surprise of First Stand. While he has been dominant domestically, he has not converted that success to international events. First Stand was his time to assert himself on the international stage. He carried G2 on his back in their series against the LCK teams. Bilibili Gaming set out to keep tabs on him in the Grand Final, which stunted G2.

Caps

• Total Apex Rating – 6.5 (3rd among mid laners, 12th among players)
• Champions Played
  • Aurora (3)
  • Ahri (2)
  • Azir (2)
  • LeBlanc (2)
  • Viktor (2)
  • Akali
  • Anivia
  • Annie
  • Galio
  • Zoe

In recent years, G2’s success on the international stage has been thanks to Caps. He is the GOAT of EU. However, the unexpected happened. G2 dominated FearX, with Caps being the worst player on the team. He came alive in their final two series, playing a crucial part against Gen.G Esports and Bilibili Gaming. However, it was not enough to get them over the line in the Grand Final.

Hans Sama

• Total Apex Rating – 6.6 (2nd among bot laners, tied 9th among players)
• Champions Played
  • Varus (3)
  • Ashe (2)
  • Corki (2)
  • Yunara (2)
  • Caitlyn
  • Ezreal
  • Kai’Sa
  • Kog’Maw
  • Miss Fortune
  • Senna
  • Sivir

Hans Same has disappointed on the international stage in recent years. Many expected First Stand to be the same after the first series against Bilibili Gaming. However, he turned it around being the better AD Carry and both Diable and Ruler. He, along with Labrov, became a terrifying bot lane at First Stand. He met his match up against Viper and ON in the Grand Final.

Labrov

• Total Apex Rating – 6.6 (3rd among supports, tied 9th among players)
• Champions Played
  • Bard (2)
  • Braum (2)
  • Lulu (2)
  • Nami (2)
  • Nautilus (2)
  • Alistar
  • Karma
  • Milio
  • Neeko
  • Rakan
  • Seraphine

Labrov was another G2 player who had come under criticism at past international events. Much like SkewMond, First Stand was his opportunity to make a name for himself. He, along with Hans Sama, formed a dominant bot lane pairing until they met Viper and ON. He also combined well with SkewMond in the early game to control the map for G2.

First Stand Review

After their loss to Bilibili Gaming, the EU’s hope had evaporated. Everyone was wondering if there was even a reason to consider the West on the same level as the East. A win over FearX was not going to change everyone’s opinions. However, dominant wins over FearX and Gen.G Esports back-to-back have shifted everything. G2 is the hope once again. They clearly figured out their identity after the first Bilibili Gaming series. Put BrokenBlade on tanks, play for bot lane, and let SkewMond run the early game. There are holes in the plan, something Bilibili Gaming and XUN exploited. However, there are positive signs for the team.

More First Stand Content

Stay tuned for the rest of the week for more team reviews from First Stand. Below are the match reviews and tournament preview for G2 Esports.

• G2 Esports Preview
• G2 Esports Versus Team Secret Whales Review
• Bilibili Gaming Versus G2 Esports Review
• Gen.G Esports Versus G2 Esports Review
• G2 Esports Versus Bilibili Gaming Review