G2 went into the semi-final as most people's underdogs but emerged victorious, and in convincing fashion.
A grand final match against SKT was waiting for either World Elite or G2 and neither team was holding anything game for game one. Xiye picked his Lucian but Perkz’ Viktor had the better of the mid lane exchanges. It was bottom lane where the action really started though, a misplay on Taric from Mithy prevented his team from getting the first kill and the teleport from 597 put his team a thousand gold ahead early on. Trick came bottom soon after to capitalise on all the spent summoners but there were few kills early on.
Condi’s Ivern made a nuisance of himself, stealing buffs, but the first big fight went the way of G2 around the drake, resulting in three kills for the Europeans as well as the drake itself. After a slow start, the game suddenly became one of non-stop action. WE grabbed a baron amid the carnage but as soon as the buff wore off G2 won another three-for-one team fight. The game continued frantically until the next baron spawned. WE took that one as well, but lost a kill and an elder drake. But with WE pushing, Ivern’s kit backfired as Gragas clicked himself into melee range and gave G2 the pick-off they needed to simply push down the mid lane and win a hectic game one.
Trick’s Olaf had been an unsung hero in game one, quietly making plays around the map and he was on The Berserker again in game two. He had his red stolen early on, but Condi paid for it by giving up first blood to Perkz. Meanwhile, kills were traded in the bottom lane and the series seemed to be picking up where it had left off. Trick went bottom lane again to capitalise on the lack of summoners. He was running the game now, and after another successful gank in the top lane his team were up 3,000 gold and soon picked up an infernal drake. World Elite were reeling, and even after getting the second drake for themselves they had to blow a bunch of summoner spells and still conceded two kills. The Chinese team were able to slow things down for a while and picking up their first turret 20 minutes in. But at 30 minutes, a drawn-out team fight ended up in an ace for G2 and a dead inhibitor. G2 were able to take the first baron and put an end to any hopes that WE had of making a comeback in game two.
World Elite substituted in Zero for game three and it seemed to have the desired effect. Despite an early lead for G2, including Perkz’ Ahri getting a solo kill, it was Condi’s Lee Sin who started to dictate the pace. With some help from his top laner he secured two kills and a mid lane turret. Now WE just had to extend their lead and in the first real team fight they got two kills for one, followed soon by another team fight which went four-one in their favour. The lead was growing and after WE grabbed themselves a baron they were up by 8,000 gold. WE struggled to push into their opponents’ base but after catching Perkz right as the net baron spawned, they were able to take all the inhibitors and end the game.
Game four started far slower than the previous ones. G2 took the first drake but a roam from 957’s Kled picked up first blood and WE were ahead in gold. The first big team fight happened in the bot lane and after a messy, scrappy affair it was G2 who emerged with a delayed ace, first turret and a 2,000 gold lead. Trick was back in the driving seat this time around and after a 3-0 team fight for G2 he was able to hand off rift herald buff to Expect. The only blemish on Trick’s Kha’zix was a smite steal from Condi on the baron soon after but since his team were able to take three kills in return it was arguably worth it anyway. G2 took the mid lane base base turret and the game was decided when they narrowly escaped with the inhibitor itself. WE wasted back-to-back teleports in a desperate move to stay in the game, only for Expect to TP behind them and get a kill and a baron buff. WE had nothing left. Another long, disjointed team fight later and G2 were able to close out the series 3-1.
G2’s win may have been considered an upset by many but their hardest task awaits them tomorrow night in the final. SKT will be overwhelming favourites for that match. The stream starts at 20:00 CET.
