G-League finals preview - DK or iG?

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At approximately 07:00 CET tomorrow, DK and Invictus Gaming will once again pit their skills against each other in the grand final of the G-League, to settle once and for all who is the strongest Chinese team going into the Spring Festival celebration. Both teams are currently tied at 1-1 in Grand Final wins, over the past three weeks with iG winning the most recent encounter in ECL, held in Beijing, China.

Although the prize money is not as grand as other Chinese tournaments, a lot of pride is definitely at stake in this matchup. 

 

G-League 2013, prize distribution:

1st - $33,000
2nd - $8,200
3rd/4th: LGD - $1,600
3rd/4th: Tongfu - $1,600

 

Team DK

 

DK's top picks from December 1 2013

Currently ranked first on our GosuRanking, DK is going into the G-League finals as the heavy favourite, owning 76% of the total branches placed. DK's playstyle is fairly unique in the Chinese scene and often seen running unorthodox strategies mostly due to their high individual skills and propensity to make big plays. 

Their recent win in WPC-ACE League against iG was arguably the biggest comeback in the history of Esports. That win definitely gave DK fans a huge boost in confidence despite them losing 0-2 in the recently concluded grand final of the Redbull Esports Champion League.

Favourite solo mid: Outworld Devourer (8-2)
Favourite carry: Luna (6-3)
Favourite offlane: Nature's Prophet (9-1)
Favourite supports: Rubick (10-4), Visage (9-4)
Unconventional pick: Io (6-1)
Most successful: Venomancer (8-0)
What makes them so good: Versatility and high individual skills

 

Invictus Gaming

 

iG's top picks from December 1 2013

With rumours of iG disbanding after Chinese New Year going rampant, iG definitely have a lot of reason to win if it is true. Despite winning versus DK in Redbull ECL, iG only owns 24% of the branches placed on them and is the clear fan-selected underdog going into the grand final.

Adding Hao and Banana only after The International 3, the team has built up great teamwork and iG has relied on it to win many games since. Although their drafts are more predictable in comparison to DK, iG thrives on their opponents trying to outplay them and then come out victorious by sticking to their strong conventional play. They are not as flashy but winning is their motto.

Favourite solo mid: Dragon Knight (12-6)
Favourite carry: Luna (5-3)
Favourite offlane: Nature's Prophet (11-2)
Favourite supports: Rubick (11-6), Crystal Maiden (8-4)
Unconventional pick: Nyx Assassin (5-2)
Most successful: Storm Spirit (8-0)
What makes them so good: Teamwork

 

Location and schedule

The tournament will be held at Gamefy E-Sports Arena which is located in downtown Shanghai. DK and iG will be staying at their own house while the 30 media outlets invited to cover the event, including our own, will be situated in Magnotel Inn, about 15 minutes walk away.

The stadium is able to house more than a thousand viewers and entry ticket cost 50 RMB (~$8 USD) each. There is no set schedule to when the Dota 2 event will begin but the organizers estimate it to start at 07:00 CET tomorrow, after the Cross Fire grand final.

 

The Chinese rivalry

 

Head-to-head
Date	Tournament	Team A	Score	Team B
07/01/2014	ECL Bubble Race	iG	2-0	DK
04/01/2014	ECL Groupstage	iG	1-1	DK
01/01/2014	WPC-ACE Final	iG	3-4	DK
02/12/2013	Sina Cup Season 2	iG	1-0	DK

 

Since December 2013, iG and DK has encountered one another four times and public opinion aside, it is iG who have won more against DK. Prior to the grand final, iG is two games up versus DK and while that isn't a significant number, they displayed utter domination and DK's versatility did not seem to affect iG at all. While many fans would disagree that iG will win, the teams' head-to-head record seems to favour them a little more.

We also asked a bunch of guys here in the studio on who they think will win. Here are the results:

Gamefy employees: DK
Fans: DK
Chinese editors: DK

 

I started in G-League and I will not be happy until I win a G-League tournament.”
 

 

I hope we lose 2 games first, then we turn it around and win the next 3 to take the championship. Only then, iG won't be happy going into Chinese New Year.”
 

 

 

Who do you think will win?

Tell us in the comments section below.