Game 1
Fnatic:
Rammus, Gragas, Corki, Lucian, Braum
Counter Logic Gaming:
Vladimir, Udyr, Lulu, Ezreal, Thresh
CLG started the game with several aggressive attempts, but Fnatic were able to see them coming and get out accordingly. Things began to pick up around six minutes in when Fnatic’s bot lane picked a fight with CLG to get first blood onto support Johan “Klaj” Olsson, but CLG answered back with a one for one onto ADC Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes. Fnatic decided to keep the pressure up in bot lane, often having three or more players at the ready, but CLG was able to answer their plays on every attempt.
The game would continue to be dominated heavily by CLG. NA’s 2nd best had shown off better decision making this game, consistently beating Fnatic with their quick rotations that prevented the EU team from gaining any advantages. Even on an AP mage, top laner Darshan “Darshan” Upadhyaha once again displayed his ability as a split pushing fiend to get an uncontested bottom lane.
Darshan continued to play the map to his team’s advantage as a bottom lane bait caused Fnatic to leave Baron free for CLG’s taking. CLG saw a few misplaces shortly after, leading to several members dying for free in the mid lane. Game 1 saw a climactic end with several Fnatic members freely dying by the Baron pit, leading CLG to teamfight in Fnatic’s base for victory.
Game 2
Counter Logic Gaming:
Ekko, Elise, Pantheon, Kalista, Morgana
Fnatic:
Rammus, Gragas, Quinn, Jhin, Thresh
Very unorthodox team compositions on both sides this time. CLG is yet again the first team to secure first blood in the mid lane, Darshan securing the kill on Ekko after a quick teleport onto mid laner Fabian “Febiven” Diepstraten. CLG immediately continued their aggression by four man ganking the bot lane to secure another kill.
Despite the early lead in bot lane, CLG later finds themselves caught out in top lane not once, but twice, letting Fnatic get a three for two kill advantage, while also surrendering top turret to CLG. The teamfights continue back and forth for several minutes; Fnatic manages to win several to even out the gold advantage after being able to capitalize on CLG’s lack of a front line.
CLG answers back with some offensive plays down in bot side, securing several kills before freely taking Fnatic’s inhibitor turret, though, not without a few deaths of their own. With CLG down and out, Fnatic looks towards Baron to gain a lead. Baron is then snatched up thanks to Darshan, but Fnatic still comes out on top by killing most of CLG. Now having scaled up, Fnatic is able to catch out and zone CLG in several instances, opening a window for a comeback.
Another fight breaks out in the Baron pit, ending in CLG’s favor that allows three members to claim the Baron buff. CLG is able to secure two inhibs before even more Baron fights take place, eventually allowing Fnatic to pull ahead. The game ends with Fnatic winning one final teamfight to keep themselves in the series.
Game 3
Fnatic:
Rammus, Lee Sin, Lulu, Jhin, Thresh
Counter Logic Gaming:
Vladimir, Gragas, Corki, Kalista, Alistar
CLG make it three in a row for first blood, diving Fnatic’s bot lane early on to secure a kill for Stixxay, followed by another gank and kill for the ADC.. Unfortunately, CLG is quick to throw away their lead as a poorly performed Dragon fight lands Fnatic three kills and the buff itself.
The game goes on to remain relatively even for several minutes, mostly hanging in CLG’s favor after pushing down mid and securings two Dragons for the team. A large fight breaks down in bottom lane, falling in favor of CLG after going four for two. CLG’s lead is completely throw away after a terrible teamfight goes down in top lane, resulting in Fnatic ace’ing CLG for only one death.
With no one to contest, Fnatic was quick to pick up Baron. This is the key that allows Fnatic to unlock CLG’s base and just take the entire game for themselves. Fnatic now has the opportunity to seek revenge on Qiao Gu and keep their fighting chance for EU.
