Finn’s CLG journey: Overcoming early struggles with Worlds 2021 ambitions
A Rocky Start in North America
Finn’s transition to CLG in the LCS Spring 2021 season has been anything but smooth. The Swedish top laner, known for his aggressive playstyle and deep champion pool, finds himself at the helm of a struggling organization undergoing significant roster changes.
Visa complications have plagued CLG’s early season, forcing Finn to play his first matches in quarantine while awaiting full team integration. This logistical nightmare has contributed to their winless start, leaving them anchored at the bottom of the standings.
Despite these setbacks, Finn’s individual performances show flashes of brilliance. His ability to generate early leads through lane dominance remains intact, as evidenced by CLG’s frequent gold advantages in the first 15 minutes of matches. However, the team consistently fails to convert these advantages into victories.
“Our map movement needs significant work,” Finn admitted after a particularly crushing defeat to 100 Thieves. “We establish control well but struggle with mid-game transitions. Small mistakes compound into major disadvantages when we fail to properly rotate for objectives.”
The TSM match perfectly illustrated this pattern – CLG built an 8,000 gold lead through strong laning and early skirmishes, only to collapse after losing a crucial Baron fight at the 30-minute mark. Such scenarios have become frustratingly common for the rebuilding squad.
The Broxah Factor
CLG’s struggles extend beyond Finn’s individual performance, with the absence of jungler Mads ‘Broxah’ Brock-Pedersen creating a significant leadership vacuum. The Danish veteran, still awaiting visa clearance, brings championship experience from his time with Fnatic and Team Liquid.
“Broxah’s calm demeanor and shotcalling could help stabilize our mid-game decisions,” Finn noted. While substitute jungler Raymond ‘Griffin’ Griffin has performed adequately, he lacks Broxah’s ability to control game tempo and make crucial late-game calls.
Finn expressed empathy for his fellow European’s situation: “The visa process is mentally exhausting. I went through it myself and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. We’re all eager for Broxah to join us in person.”
The team’s communication issues become particularly apparent in high-pressure situations. Without a veteran presence to direct traffic, CLG often descends into chaos during critical moments, with multiple players attempting conflicting calls simultaneously.
LCS vs LEC: Finn’s Perspective
Having competed in both major regions, Finn offers unique insights into the differences between LCS and LEC playstyles. While North American solo queue has pleasantly surprised him, he maintains that European top lane talent remains superior at the highest levels.
“The best EU tops like Wunder and Bwipo are still ahead of their NA counterparts,” Finn stated. “But the average level is comparable. The main difference comes down to team environments and strategic approaches rather than individual skill gaps.”
Finn’s adaptation to North American play has been smoother than anticipated, though he acknowledges the challenge of building off-stage chemistry with new teammates during pandemic restrictions. “Personal connections matter more than people realize,” he explained. “Not being able to properly bond outside the game definitely affects our in-game synergy.”
The Road to Redemption
Despite their dismal start, Finn remains optimistic about CLG’s potential. “The LCS is wide open this year,” he asserted. “Any team that finds their rhythm can dominate. I believe we can be that team once we solve our coordination issues.”
The Swedish import identifies clear areas for improvement: “We need to streamline our communication and establish clearer shotcalling hierarchies. Right now there’s too much overlapping noise during critical moments.”
With Broxah’s eventual arrival and more practice time together, Finn sees a path to Worlds qualification. “My goal hasn’t changed – win the split and compete internationally. No team looks unbeatable right now.”
CLG’s next test comes against Team Liquid, providing an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the region’s perennial powerhouses. A strong showing could mark the beginning of their climb from the basement of the LCS standings.
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