XDG stops the CLG battering ram, while EG slowly crushes CRS in these first two lengthy games.
XDG was slightly winning the early game, due to the nature of its team comp. While CLG got the first blood from a gank in bot lane, it was in the dragon control that was turning the tides initially into XDG's favor. With Benny creating a ton of pressure top, Zuna and the rest were able to move around the map and take the first dragon with ease. The second one required a brawl with CLG, but the team managed to win that one by superior positioning.
CLG did not go down without a fight, however, as its lineup was geared heavily towards sieging. The tower-wrecking power of Doublelift and Chauster allowed their team to catch up in gold lost from dragon and kills. They even managed to nearly even up the kill score, as CLG's rotations led XDG into a wild goose chase, setting up great engagement situations for the Mega Inferno Bomb.
Unfortunately, CLG's luck ran out, as a disastrous baron fight was the beginning of the end. Nien on Dr. Mundo somehow wasn't able to play as that formidable tank CLG needed, and he also had a few decision errors that cost his team skirmishes.Though the game dragged unnecessarily on to around 40 minutes, a second baron and a favorable engage finally gave XDG the oppotuniry they needed to push all the way to the enemy nexus.
CRS couldn't have a worse start, as Voyboy's Kha'Zix died to Pobelter's Gragas from a misplayed all-in. The top lane didn't fare any better, as Quas' Karthus was just getting bullied by InnoX on Renekton. Only Cop and Zekent were winning in their lane versus EG, as the Draven/Thresh duo is strong enough to harass Lucian/Alistar. However, with two lanes crippled, this allowed Snoopeh and Pobelter to roam freely and make good picks. Iwilldominate couldn't get the picks he wanted as the top and mid were so weakened, and ganking bot was the predicatable move.
EG's advantage increased even further once they started taking down the turrets, giving the entire team enough global gold to stay ahead of CRS. While Voyboy and Quas managed to grab a couple of revenge kills, the difference was too great for them to bounce back. Similar to the previous match, the game dragged on as both teams were hesitant to just clash with one another. But with superior map and objective control, EG was able to grind its way out towards the nexus, taking out one lane after another, decimating CRS' base.
XDG vs CLG
XDG was slightly winning the early game, due to the nature of its team comp. While CLG got the first blood from a gank in bot lane, it was in the dragon control that turned the tides initially into XDG's favor. With Benny create a ton of pressure top, Zuna and the rest were able to move around the map and take the first dragon with ease. The second one required a brawl with CLG, but the team managed to that one by superior positioning.
CLG did not go down without a fight, however, that its lineup was geared heavily towards sieging. The tower-wrecking power Doublelift and Chauster allowed their team to catch up in gold lost from dragon and kills. They even managed to nearly even up the kill score, as CLG's rotations led XDG into a wild goose chase, setting up great engagement situations for the Mega Inferno Bomb.
Unfortunately, CLG's gas ran out, as a disastrous baron fight was the beginning of the end. Nien on Dr. Mundo somehow wasn't able to play as that formidable tank CLG needed, and he also had a few decision errors that cost his team skirmishes.Though the game dragged unnecessarily on to around 40 minutes, a second baron and a favorable engage finally gave XDG the oppotuniry they needed to push all the way to the enemy nexus.
