MAD Lions is bringing a blast from the past in the LEC’s 2023 season. Bot laner Matyáš “Carzzy” Orság, who played for the organization in 2020 and 2021, returns to the team. He is filling the slot left behind by William “UNF0RGIVEN” Nieminen, who parted with MAD Lions earlier this week.
Carzzy rejoins MAD Lions after a disappointing year at Team Vitality. He joined a lineup filled to the brim with talent and designated to hoist the LEC trophy. After two splits, however, the team’s highest finish was in the Spring Split, when they claimed fifth place. In the Summer Split, the roster missed the playoffs altogether and failed to qualify for the world championship.
Back where it all began
The results Carzzy saw while playing for Vitality stand in stark contrast to the ones he reaped at MAD Lions. He made his LEC debut in 2020 with the team. The roster, mostly comprised of rookies, exploded onto the scene with stylish, aggressive gameplay that dumbfounded the opposition. Over the year, MAD Lions refined its playstyle and ultimately managed to qualify for the 2020 League of Legends World Championship.
One year later, Carzzy struck gold. With a tweaked top-side, MAD Lions dominated the LEC’s Spring Split and Summer Split playoffs. The team became the third organization in European history to win back-to-back titles, breaking a long chain of G2 and Fnatic domination. At Worlds 2021, MAD Lions was the only LEC team to advance to the Knockout Stage.
Though Carzzy returns to the team that once was his home, he’ll be met with many new faces. Only jungler Javier “Elyoya” Prades, with whom Carzzy played in 2021, and head coach James “Mac” MacCormack are still a part of the team. Mid laner and fellow Czech Marek “Humanoid” Brázda left MAD Lions in the same year Carzzy did, and his spot is now occupied by Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer. Kim “Chasy” Dong-hyeon replaced top laner İrfan “Armut” Tükek this offseason. Norman “Kaiser” Kaiser also parted ways with MAD Lions, but his successor has not been announced yet.
