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As the 2016 League of Legends World Championship approaches, the time to reflect on the previous editions has come, for there are many parallels between this iteration of G2, H2k and Splyce and the previous ones.Of course, dissimilarities arose here and there. South Koreas dominance ramped up for two seasons, culminating in total dominance of the circuit over the past four world championship contests. Once the cradle of the League of Legends competitive circuit, North America has since experienced ups and downs. The Taiwanese circuit is no longer a surprise attendant, with the Flash Wolves seeking to emulate the legacy the Taipei Assassins left behind through their victory at Season Two.Throughout the history of League of Legends, the European region remained defiant. Its teams rose to the challenge of North America in Season One and South Korea and Taiwan in Season Two and have established themselves as perennial bracket contenders, save for Season Four.Here is their story.Season one (2011):Fnatic -- 1stAgainst All Authority -- 2ndgamed!de -- 6thAs Fnatic and Against All Authority sent North Americas finest at the time -- Andy Reginald Dinhs Team SoloMid, Dan Dinhs Epik Gamer and George HotshotGG Georgallidiss Counter Logic Gaming -- out of the tournament, it established the regions position as the main hub of competitive League of Legends in the short term.Fnatics hopes and dreams nearly crashed as Enrique xPeke Cede?o Martinez encountered flight delays on the way to the DreamHack venue in Jonk?ping, where the world championship took place. But the squad survived with Bram Wewillfailer De Winters help, and they unleashed Double Ability Power compositions (reliant on two mages at the solo lanes) en route to the finals.On the other side was Against All Authority, with Paul sOAZ Boyer in the top lane and Bora YellOwStaR Kim as the AD Carry. The latter might have scored one of the most dazzling highlights at the time (an Ashe arrow across the map), but Maciej Shushei Ratuszniak and company prevailed in the best-of-three series 2-1.Gamed!de had prevailed in the World Championship qualifier rounds against SK Gamings lineup, one of the strongest in Europe at the time, but its presence in the main event was a relatively low-profile one compared to the others. However, three players would become staples in the European scene until their retirement: Kevin Kev1n Rubiszewski, Adrian CandyPanda Wubbelmann and Patrick Nyph Funke for SK Gaming.Season two (2012):Counter Logic Gaming Europe -- 3rd-4thMoscow Five -- 3rd-4thSK Gaming -- Group StageMoscow Five and Counter Logic Gaming Europe were two of the greatest lineups of their era, and they had plenty of momentum. With Mike Wickd Petersen, Henrik Froggen Hansen and Mitch Krepo Voorspoels in their ranks, CLG.Europe played a slow and calculated style, producing a visual contrast to Moscow Fives skirmish-heavy play. As such, its presence in the World Championship semifinals was par for the course.CLG.Europe clawed its way through the semifinals, but not before popularizing Silver Scrapes as a result of nearly interminable delays against Team WE in the quarterfinals. The fall in the semifinals against Azubu Frost was as hotly disputed as a series with a similar outcome in the 2012 OGN Summer Finals.Moscow Five forced its way into the bracket stages, much as it did toward the semifinals. Its dominion over the European circuit, spearheaded by Alexei Alex ich Ichetovkin and Danil Diamondprox Reshetnikov, allowed the team to bypass the group stages, and the swift dismissal of Chinas Invictus Gaming preceded its fall against Taipei Assassins, a team whose lane pressure left little in terms of windows of opportunity for M5 skirmishes.SK Gaming might have indirectly led to Fnatics nonparticipation in the Season Two world championship, but its participation marked the beginning of a tradition: There must always be a European team in a Group of Death.Season three (2013):Fnatic -- 3rd-4thGambit Gaming -- 5th-8thLemondogs -- group stageThe inception of the League of Legends Championship Series format allowed many up-and-coming teams to stamp their mark in the European circuit, and Erlend Nukeduck Holms Lemondogs stood as proof: Any squad with enough skill and focus could take on some of the best in the world. The Lemondogs lack of experience internationally was its downfall, especially in a group that contained SK Telecom T1 and one of Chinas finest at the time, OMG.For the more seasoned squads, the LCS format provided an opportunity for fine-tuning despite roster shake-ups, and Fnatic used it to extents that would have long-term significance (chief among them, Bora YellOwStaR Kims transition into the support role). Its presence in the bracket stage was all but assured, but Samsungss collapse allowed them to reach higher than projections at the time.Samsungs implosion also allowed a struggling Gambit Gaming (formerly Moscow Five) to advance to the quarterfinals. Gambits rigorous travel schedule left little room for practice outside of bootcamps, and the revolving door at the support position did not help. Unbeknownst to them and to European League of Legends fans, Alex ich, Diamondprox, Evgeny Genja Andryushin and Evgeny Darien Mazaev would not return to the world championship after this appearance.Season four (2014):Fnatic -- group stageSK Gaming -- group stageAlliance -- group stageThe 2014 world championship represents Europes darkest time in League of Legends history. Unlike the previous editions, in which European squads wrought havoc during the bracket stages, its presence at that years quarterfinals was nonexistent.Fnatics participation in the bracket stage hinged on emerging from a group of death that included Koreas Samsung Blue, Chinas Oh My God and North Americas LMQ, and it was a mere auto-attack away on OMGs nexus from succeeding. The same cannot be said about SK Gaming, as Dennis Svenskeren Johnsens suspension effectively doomed the squads chances of advancing. But the worst was yet to come.Following an otherwise stellar display during the World Championship (with a clean victory against NaJin Shield), Froggens Alliance needed one victory against the wild-card squad, Brazils KaBuM! eSports, and NaJin to beat Cloud9, to secure its place in the quarterfinals. Despite Ilyas Shook Hartsema and Froggens best efforts, the squad collapsed at the last moment, inexplicably choking when it counted the most.Thus was Europes campaign put to an abrupt halt that led to colossal roster shuffles.Season five (2015):Fnatic -- 3rd-4thOrigen -- 3rd-4thH2k-Gaming -- group stagesFnatic was the biggest casualty of the 2015 offseason, as they lost xPeke, sOAZ and Martin Rekkles Larsson to free agency before the spring split ... or so many would have thought. Under the lead of Korean imports Heo Huni Seung-hoon and Kim ReignOver Yeu-jin and with Bora YellOwStaR Kims guidance, the squad emerged at its strongest point ever. After a 3-2 defeat at the hands of SK Telecom T1 at the 2015 Midseason Invitational, they rehired Rekkles on the way to an EU LCS summer title.As the only squad to contend against Fnatic, xPekes Origen boasted veterans in four of its five positions: sOAZ in the top lane, Maurice Amazing Stückenschneider in the jungle, xPeke in the middle lane and ex-Lemondog Alfonso mithy Aguirre Rodriguez at the support position. However, the biggest contributor during crunch time was rookie AD carry Jesper Zven Svenningsen.The two teams reached the semifinals and fell to South Koreas finest 3-0 but helped reassert the European regions strength on the international level. Origens feat in particular was most impressive, as they advanced in Group D, which included South Koreas KT Rolster, Chinas LGD Gaming and North Americas Team SoloMid.As for H2k-Gaming, its experience served as practice for Yoo Ryu Sang-wook and Andrei Odoamne Pascu. SK Telecom T1 and EDG outclassed them. 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Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Cincinnati Bengals have made it to the playoffs five straight years, an impressive stretch of success that should put them among the elite franchises in the AFC.Its the fact they havent won a game once theyve gotten to the postseason that has some fans hesitant to feel any satisfaction.Underrated? Perhaps. But the Bengals know theres only one way to change that perception.Thats one thing were not worried about, quarterback Andy Dalton said. For us, especially right now, our focus is the first game of the year. Thats all you can worry about is what youre doing right now. Were not worried about any of that other stuff. Were trying to do whatever we can to win this week.And that road begins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday against the New York Jets in the season opener.If theres one trend the Bengals can change immediately, its that theyve never defeated the Jets in New Jersey. Theyre 0-9 there, but despite that dismal record, coach Marvin Lewis knows how huge a victory would be in Week 1 -- no matter against whom or where it comes.It makes you 1-0, on the road, which is a good thing, said Lewis, 6-7 in openers with the Bengals. It kicks off the season in the right way. You focus on this since the schedule comes out. This is the opening game, so theres a certain importance to it. Its an opportunity to get off to a fast start.Meanwhile, the Jets havent been to the playoffs since the 2010 season, the longest postseason drought since owner Woody Johnson took over the team in 2000.Johnson declined to make a playoffs-or-bust declaration while speaking to the media this week, but the Jets certainly have their sights set on success.We dont talk about expectations that way, coach Todd Bowles said of his discussions with Johnson and the team. We know what the expectations are.And, they are?To win, Bowles said.Here are some things to know as the Bengals and Jets kick off the season:DANDY ANDY: Dalton was on his way to a possible Pro Bowl appearance last season when he broke the thumb on his passing hand in December. It shortened what had been a terrific year in which he led the AFC with a 106.3 passer rating.The Bengals quarterback is back and feeling healthy, and ready to pick up where he left off last year after 25 touchdown passes and a career-low seven interceptions.Im 100 percent, Dalton said. Im good. No setback from the thumb.FITZ MAGIC: The Jets were uncertain about their quarterback situation until the night before training ccamp began, when the team and Ryan Fitzpatrick ended a long contract stalemate and agreed on a one-year deal.dddddddddddd Both Fitzpatrick and the Jets made it clear they wanted a reunion, and it only made sense after he set a franchise record with 31 touchdown passes and galvanized the locker room after then-starter Geno Smith had his jaw broken by a punch from a teammate.Brandon Marshall enjoyed a huge year with Fitzpatrick throwing to him, setting franchise marks with 109 catches and 1,502 yards receiving, and also tying the team record with 14 TD grabs.ABSENT EIFERT: It appears Dalton and the offense will be without tight end Tyler Eifert against the Jets because of an ankle injury suffered during the Pro Bowl. He was hopeful hed be ready to play, but he had surgery in May and didnt play during the preseason. Eifert, who had 52 catches for 615 yards and 13 TDs last season, will likely be replaced by H-back Ryan Hewitt and tight ends Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah.FORTE FITS: The Jets added a pass-catching presence to their backfield when they signed Matt Forte as a free agent in March. The running back, who played his first eight seasons in Chicago, is two years removed from setting an NFL record at his position with 102 catches.The 30-year-old Forte is coming off a hamstring injury that limited him for half of training camp, but appears ready to be a full contributor to Chan Gaileys offense.Great vision as a runner, really does a good job of setting his blocks up, obviously great hands, Fitzpatrick said. I just think the overall awareness and the experience that he has playing the game of football, he kind of fits right into that huddle.WHOS BLOCKING?: A spot to watch will be right tackle for the Jets, who are toying with the idea of rotating backups Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale at the position.Starter Breno Giacomini is out for at least six weeks with a back injury, so Bowles has been waiting for Ijalana or Qvale to step up to claim the job.That could certainly have Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap, who set a franchise mark with 13 1/2 sacks last season, and defensive tackle Geno Atkins licking their chops.---AP Sports Writer Joe Kay in Cincinnati contributed.--- http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-own...hout-playoffsAP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '