Group A ended its first day with LGD Gaming leading the charts with six points fallowed by Team Secret with four points, compLexity on third position with three points and an epic 97 minute long game Fnatic vs Invictus Gaming.
The last two game series from group A were played by Invictus Gaming vs Fnatic and Natus Vincere vs Mvp.Phoenix and the stakes were high as all the teams needed a clear 2-0 victory in order to get a honorable second place in their group.
IG vs. Fnatic
Demonstrating exactly what Ferrari declared two days ago in an interview for GosuGamers, Invictus Gaming chose to play around what they feel comfortable with and suits their playstyle more. In their first game versus Fnatic IG went for a last pick Brewmaster to face kYxY’s Razor in mid lane.
By doing so, IG managed to get a 2000 net worth advantage after only five minutes while Fnatic struggled to make anything happen. In fact, their first kill came at the 11 minute mark when Ohaiyo on Earthsaker landed a big Echo Slam, while the second kill for them came more than ten minutes later when they punished an isolated Burning Phantom lancer.
The game was completely one sided in IG’s favor who took the victory with a huge Death Ward ultimate from Chuan.
In response Fnatic went to game two determined to play around IG’s playstyle and this time they surprised the Chinese team with a third pick Wraith King for KYxY, a Templar Assassin for Mushi and they even picked Chuan’s Which Doctor.
Things looked normal, with trade kills here and there amd nothing himted at what became the longest game so far. After they realized they don’t have the damage to go through Chuan’s Wyvern’s Cold Embrace, Fnatic decided to play a patience farming strategy. And as the game continued, both teams refused to rush any sort of push up to the point where Mushi managed to reach 1,000 last hits and started to pile up Rapiers in his fountain.
Fnatic finally decided to go for a set of racks 90+ minutes into the game and after an epic teamfight won by an amazing Which Doctor ultimate from behind the trees, Mushi uses buyback after dying, picks up his two stashed rapiers, uses BoTs to come back and end the game with a triple kill at the 97 minute mark.
Na’Vi vs MvP.Phoenix
The two game series started with an explosive game one that was dictated by continuous teamfights in which the Korean squad impressed everyone with very coordinated actions playing a phenomenal DotA. Despite good reactive plays from Na’Vi who actually traded kills equally with MvP.Phoenix they felt behind seriously on gold due to the Bounty Track kills that Febby carefully set up for his team.
Having two insanely farmed caries, Slark and Gyrocopter, the Phoenix team couldn't be stopped in any way in their GG push.
In the second game of the series Na’Vi showed their true champions colors and stomped MvP.Phoenix in only 24 minutes. With a ferocious Shadow Fiend played by Dendi they ensured another point for themselves making sure they won’t end the day on the last position in their group.
Xboct approves of the double Rapiers! picture courtnesy of Na'Vi
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