zNation win the Asus Open and the Play4Dota2 #9

In an exciting best-of-three finals, zNation managed to claim victory over the famed Russian eSports house, Virtus.Pro.


Game One
Virtus.Pro zNation
Santa
Crz-
Enlight
NS
IllidanStr
KSi
Bullseye
Nexus
Sedoy
Stalianer


The first game was won by Virtus.Pro convincingly, especially after conveniently placed Rubick, from Virtus.Pro, was able to farm up a quick force-staff and become an efficient roamer. The carry, Void, was supported by a Lich at mid. This resulted in zNation's Tinker being forced to a defensive play-style and ultimately an item-packed Void.


Game Two
zNation Virtus.Pro
KSi
Bullseye
Nexus
Sedoy
Stalianer
Santa
Crz-
Enlight
NS
IllidanStr


The second game saw zNation picking up Anti-Mage and placing him in the long lane with adequate support. This resulted in Anti-Mage farming up a quick Battle Fury and Vladimir's Offering followed by Manta. Virtus.Pro decided to go for a Rikimaru, a hero that is rarely seen in competitive games. The move backfired and their attempts to regain control of the game were thwarted repeatedly with the help of a timely Gem of true sight.

Game Three
Virtus.Pro zNation
Santa
Crz-
Enlight
NS
IllidanStr
KSi
Bullseye
Nexus
Sedoy
Stalianer


The third game featured a Syllabear on zNation's team. It was down to the battle of the carries but in the end, Syllabear prevailed inspite of starting off on the on the hard lane. There was little that Virtus.Pro could do to defend and eventually caved in to the persistent onslaught that was brought upon them by zNation.


The tournament would be reaching its culmination in the form of "Final Battle Of The Year" which would be a LAN final held in Kiev, in the month of November.

The top two teams from the above standings would be getting their slots for the Final Battle Of The Year in Kiev. In addition to that, zNation and Virtus.Pro would also be getting a sum of $120 to cover their traveling expenses to Kiev.
The format of the tournament is rather unique and a progressive one, only time will tell how the slots get filled.

With the momentum gained from the Asus Open victory..
zNation also went on to win, 2-Nil against Copenhagen Wolves, an amount of €400 in the finals of 4PL Cup #9 . With teams like JT, Next.kz, Copenhagen Wolves and Virtus.Pro, the tier-2 scene seems to hold immense potential and promise. Only time will tell if zNation can really hold their ground in the tier-2 scene and break into the tier-1 scene.
For now, all eyes are fixed on The International 2 in Seattle.

Links
Asus Open - Official Asus Summer 2012 Announcement
4PL - Play4Dota2 #9