Excel Esports is making one last change to its roster ahead of the final best-of-one weekend in the LEC Spring Split. The organization announced today that they are placing mid laner Vincent “Vetheo” Berrié on the bench. Felix “Abbedagge” Braun, who joined the team as a substitute in January, will take his place.
The statement from Excel does not make it fully clear why Vetheo was benched at this point, though it appears to be tied to the player’s mental health. Shortly before Excel announced, Vetheo shared in a Tweet that he had been struggling mentally since the Winter Split, in which Excel finished tenth, and that he wanted to focus on himself. Excel acknowledges Vetheo’s position, but also notes, “As a team, we recognise that we need to make some adjustments to ensure we are at our best for the important upcoming weekend. Therefore, we have decided that Abbedagge will be stepping in as the mid laner.”
With just one weekend of best-of-ones left to go, Excel sits at a 2-4 score in the LEC Spring Split. The team shares its last place with Fnatic, MAD Lions, and Team Heretics. The Spring Split started off well for Excel—with Dino “LIMIT” Tot as the new support and Jonas “Hidon” Vraa as the new head coach, Excel took down Fnatic. The honeymoon seemed short-lived, as Excel lost their three next games, but hope was rekindled after the team took down MAD Lions.
Excel’s final opportunity to make it to the LEC’s top eight in the Spring Split brings three difficult opponents. They will have to secure at least one win playing against Winter Split bronze medalist KOI, or against the surprisingly well-performing Team BDS or Astralis.
