Photo by: Julia Christophers
On-fire Chinese superstar Xiaofeng "Sky" Li took down Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen earlier today and claimed the ESL Continental Finals title in Chengdu.
Once again, Grubby had to face his adversary. After already losing twice against Sky in the event and once in the event before, PGL, the odds weren't on "Grubbster's" side.
Sky's only loss in the event came against HoT, but after wins over Moon and twice over his finalist opponent he withheld and withstood the pressure of being the favorite.
Fought TeD to advance to grand final
Before getting to the finals, Grubby eliminated TeD in Secret Valley and Twisted Meadows. First game Grubby did not lose a single unit, and after good creppjacks and playing very aggressive, Grubby was able to win. Second game Grubby was able to keep his expansion hidden a long while. While TeD went to kill it, Grubby countered and razed TeD's main building along with a set of ziggurats. Seeing no other way for it to end, TeD called it 'gg' and saw Grubby move on to the finals.
Photo by: Julia Christophers, ESL
Grubby vs. Sky on Game 1 @ Twisted Meadows
On a close position spawn on Twisted Meadows, Grubby attempted to harass Sky's army just after he crept the Goblin Merchant but didn't achieve much. Meanwhile Sky expanded unbothered, and could later on harass the Orc base and kill a few burrows and a watch tower.
Grubby surprisingly picked the Tauren Chieftain as the second hero to support the horde army. Having reached tier 2, both players went base-trading, with Grubby taking down all the towers, peasants and several farms. But unlucky for Grubby, Gryphons were already on their way out along with a Mountain King and a Paladin. Trying to break loose from his bad position, Grubby built an expansion, but to no use. Sky was able to scout it fast, and destroyed it before it was up. Being no match for the Human army, Grubby and his greenskins had to admit defeat.
Grubby vs. Sky on Game 2 @ Melting Valley
On the second game, played on Melting Valley, Sky's first hero choice was the Mountain King. Once again the World Elite player went for a fast expansion. On the other side, at camp de Grubby, Grunts and mercenaries filled his tier 1 army.
His plan was to delay Sky's expand as much as he could, but failed as his opponent was prepared. While teching to tier 2, Grubby built a second Barracks, opting for a Demolisher push. That was scouted and eventually countered, as Sky bought a heap of different mercenaries and killed the hopes of the previous Continental Finals winner repeating his title. Grubby calls "GG" and Sky is crowned the champion.
5,000 USD in the Sky
After the disappointment in PGL final, Sky now managed to grab his first title this year, adding 5,000 USD to his account and proving himself to be in a terrific shape and leaving a message to all his opponents.
As for Grubby and Moon, both claimed that they would take the cold, but they now have to satisfy with 2,500 and 1,000 USD for their second and respectively fourth place. TeD, the one and only Undead player in the tournament, gets his 1,500 USD for the third place.
Links
GosuGamers.net - Download the replays in our replay vault
ESL-World.net - Tournament portal
