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SKT Off to a Winning Start at MSI

MSI's group stage got underway this evening.  SKT started things out with a predictable win, but the world champions didn't have it all their own way.

G2 could have been forgiven for having nerves in their first MSI game, taking on the best team in the world. But they had the best of the early game, including an early first blood on none other than Faker's Syndra - the fastest first blood in MSI history. Faker didn't let it get to him, however, and bullied Perkz in the mid lane without ever really building an advantage. In fact, Trick's Lee Sin ganking for Ashe and Zyra in the bot lane led to another kill for the European team. A few minutes later G2 executed a perfect five-man tower dive, securing two more kills and the first tower of the game. SKT were relegated to taking a consolation cloud drake after G2 went back to base.

If it all seemed too good to be true for European fans, that's because it was. G2 had a 1500 gold lead but it wouldn't last. Superior map play saw the Korean's grab two turrets in exchange for G2's one and a Rift Herald. Expect made little use of the buff, however, and even died trying to defend the top lane inner turret against three opponents. His team maintained a gold lead at 20 minutes in but the tide was turning and G2 seemed to be drowning.

The game slowed from there, with a couple of kills and a sneaked ocean drake for SKT being the only noteworthy events for several minutes. But when G2 got poked low in the middle lane it was time for SKT to unleash a tidal wave. They secured two turrets for nothing and were able to kite away from any fights that G2 tried to engage. Huni then based, teleported back into the jungle and helped to pick up two more kills, leading to an easy baron for the world champions.

G2 weren't going to go down without a fight, but a 10,000 gold deficit proved to be as insurmountable as it sounds. They did mange to get a kill onto Bang but with inhibitors down it was only a matter of time before SKT secured the win.

Having seen off Europe's best in their opening game, SKT will face TSM in their next game and will be expected to win. Meanwhile, G2 face an impressive-looking World Elite who won their opening game against Flash Wolves. Both games take place tomorrow.

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