Na’Vi came from behind to overtake Team Secret 2:1 in their new season LAN debut at StarLadder i-League Invitational Season 3
In front of the local crowd as the only team to represent the CIS region, the hometown heroes gave a performance worthy of pride and pomp. Chanting Na-Vi, Na-Vi, the Ukrainian team rallied back from a dismal start and first game loss. A highly entertaining three game series ended with a thrilling back and forth 85 minute game.
Game One
Team Secret's mobility and maneuverability were much too quick on the draw for Na'Vi to be able to do anything effectively. Anytime the Ukrainian team made a move, Team Secret was there in an instant to knock them down. The European team was able to take objective after objective and completely dominate the team fights, overpowering Na'Vi at every angle. The first pick of Tiny on offlane and unorthodox draft may have been Na'Vi's downfall as trying something different worked against the team as Team Secret completely crushed them.
Game Two
Na'Vi seemed to go back to the drawing board for the second match, returning to more standard lineup and strategy. A much better start -a 5:0 lead to kick things off, was in stark contrast to the beat down they received in game 1. Na'Vi set up incredible play after play and gave Team Secret little to no breathing room - destroying the European team. After a full team wipe at minute 20, Team Secret waved the white flag of surrender and called "GG" to even up the score 1:1.
Game Three
The deciding game started out too close for comfort for either team - proving that their matchup was much more even than either of the first two games seemed to suggest. A phenomenal play around the Roshan Pit with the clutch plays for Na'Vi seemed to turn things around for them and the Ukraine team started to gain the momentum they needed. Akbar "SoNNeikO" Butaev was on point with his spells and clutch plays time and time again, furthering their lead as they continued to pick the Europeans apart. An 85 minute thrilling game came to an end with Na'Vi's stellar victory and fantastic performance.
The action continues immediately with the first place Group B decider series between Na'Vi and compLexity Gaming.
