The LEC improved Euroepan League of Legends in almost every imaginable way. The hype videos are awesome and the rivalries are more intense this year. But one of the few downsides is that we lost popular color caster Martin “Deficio” Lange from the broadcast due to his new role with Origen.
But because Origen didn’t qualify for MSI, Deficio’s schedule was freed up and he was announced as an official part of Riot’s broadcast crew for MSI. He’s part of a strong European contingent that was almost enough to overtake the LCS’ lead.
Each of the casters on the team is experienced and brings a unique energy to the broadcast. They all deserve to be there, full stop.
But for another international tournament, we are left to wonder why more talent from the LPL or LCK—each is sending one caster—aren’t included. That seems par for the course despite the success of teams from those regions at international events.
But focusing on the positive gives us the potential return of the threesome that did such an awesome job at Worlds last year: Chris “PapaSmithy” Smith, Clayton “CaptainFlowers” Raines, and Sam “Kobe” Hartman-Kenzler. Their cast concluded one of the most exciting Worlds ever when Invictus Gaming beat Fnatic in the final. Fans are hoping that MSI 2019 will be just as good.
