Eight LEC titles, the trophy of the Mid-Season Invitational 2019 and countless top 4 finishes. These are the achievements of Europe’s best League of Legends player Perkz. This is his story.
Although G2’s Botlaner Luka “Perkz” Perković’s rise to fame began in 2016, he has been a professional players since 2014. Back then he joined the roster of the French team GSI Gaming.
Also on GSI was his current (substitute) teammate Kristoffer “P1noy” Pedersen. On his first team Perkz won several smaller tournaments and also participated in DreamHack Summer 2014, GSI disbanded in September 2014.
The slow climb with G2
2015 was the year in which the Croatian joined G2. His first stint on G2 was not as consistent as G2 are now. while they reached the quarterfinals of the International Invitational Tournament 4, they also missed out on qualifiying for the EU LCS in Spring 2015. Following that disappointment Perkz moved to Millenium in February leading his new team to the finals of Gamers Assembly 2015. But the budding starplayer left the team in May to rejoin G2. A team that he has stayed loyal to ever since then. In the following summer season G2 not only managed to qualify for the first time for the European LCS. With Korean players Kim “Trick” Gang-yun and Kim “Emperor” Jin-hyun they even won the finals against Origen. During this period Perkz was still at home on the midlane.
This earned G2 a spot at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2016 as a representative of Europe. However MSI 2016 did not work out well at all for G2 as the legendary “G2 vacation” saw them exit the tournament during the group stage.
Their embarrassing performance that saw them only win against Turkish SuperMassive Esport angered the EU community. Fans were upset with G2 apparently not taking the MSI serious by resting just before the tournament and a steady stream of memes made sure the event was remembered.
#vacationisover
G2 took up the meme with their hashtag vacationisover and announced a thorough restructuring of their roster. The keystone to the revamped G2 roster was Perkz as the organisation recruited Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen, Alfonso “Mithy” Rodríguez and moved Korean Ki “Expect” Dae-han to the Top Lane.
The new lineup wins the Summer Split as well and qualifies for Worlds 2016. But once again G2 did not achieve international success and failed to advance out of groups.
Nevertheless the team decides to stick together and work on their issues. A decision rewarded by another domestic title as G2 wins the Spring Season 2017, setting the stage for another attempt at interregional success at MSI 2017.
Making it out of groups G2 are faced with clear favorites WE from China. Undeterred Perkz led his team to a 3-1 victory and into the finals. Although G2 cannot overcome SK Telecom T1, their performance satisifed fans, team and Perkz himself as he wrote in review of that year on Twitter.
The Road to the Top
Although G2 also made it to Worlds 2017, they once more got eliminated in groups, which led to roster changes in 2018. Perkz’ second year at G2 did not start well as the team failed to win a domestic title. Nevertheless G2 managed to qualify for Worlds 2018 by taking down Splyce and Schalke 04 in the regional finals.
Worlds 2018 was Perkz’ breakthrough as one of the very best LoL-Players to have touched the game. G2 brush aside the Play-Ins and also make it out of groups at the main event. Facing RNG in the quarterfinals as clear underdog Perkz’ scoreline of 11-4-0 in the deciding game 5 turned the tide to make Top 4.
Although G2 proceeded to get demolished 0-3 by eventual champions Invictus Gaming, their victory against Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao’s RNG set a landmark for European LoL.
“The Best Team Europe Ever Produced”
Although 2018 had been quite the succesful year, G2 decided to recruit Fnatic’s ace Rasmus “Caps” Winther for the next year. This saw Perkz switch roles to the bot lane as AD Carry.
Describing the process as “new era of G2” Perkz led his team to another Spring Championship, setting a world record for the fastest final against Origen. At 2019’s MSI G2 continued their dominance. While the groups were shaky and the semifinal match against SKT1 left much to be desired, G2 absolutely wrecked Team Liquid in the finals with the fastest Best of 5 in international LoL history.
Falling short of the Grand Slam
During the Summer Split G2 continued its reign of terror, securing another title and making the “Grand Slam” of LoL, winning every major trophy in domestic and international tournaments, a possibility. Starting as clear favorites into Worlds 2019 all eyes were on Perkz and G2.
G2 first advanced out of the groups in second place after losing a tiebreaker to Korean Team Griffin. But in the playoffs the European team made short work of the two other Korean challengers DAMWON Gaming and SKT1, defeating both 3-1. With the grand prize in reach G2 were a single step away from writing history. Alas their opponents FunPlusPhoenix from China crushed their Grand Slam dreams in a brutal 0-3 beatdown, marking the start of the Chinese era in LoL.
The loss and G2’s incredible year took its toll on the players and Perkze also decided to take a break.
All Eyes on Worlds 2020
While the loss in the finals of 2019 must have stung, G2 have made it all the way back to Worlds once again. Switching back to the midlane Perkz and his team have won another two dometic LEC titles and are heavy favorites for Worlds 2020. Their performance has not been as dominant as in 2019 but no one can doubt that G2 are hungry for the final trophy that still eludes them.
Will Perkz finally raise the Summoner’s Cup this year? G2’s campaign will begin next week on October 4 against Chinese team Suning.
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