posted by Meliora.Infinitum,
It was a day full of tears and joy as two previous champions, ua Na’Vi & cn iG were eliminated from The International 2014, while the rest continue their battle for the 5 million dollar grand prize as well as the bragging rights of being the best team in the world. Check inside to see how it all went down.


As the games kicked off today we were already on the edge of our seats knowing full well that the one of the crowd favorites would be dropping out of the tournament, as the world Cloud 9 and ua Na’Vi clashed head to head in an exciting three-game series. Followed shortly after by the Chinese showdown between another previous champion cn iG and the challenger cn LGD, the day was full of high action Dota 2 that even the pickiest of us could enjoy. The last two games to cap of the day were the first games of the quarter final series, and as such were of negligible importance as all the teams come back tomorrow refreshed and ready, to battle out whatever is left of the series.


ua Na'Vi vs world Cloud 9 - Fall of the veterans


Game 1

Game 2

Game 3


We’ve seen these top tier Western teams face each other multiple times in the past (Head-to-head - 9 to 7 for ua Na’Vi) and it has always been a back and forth effort between the two. Both teams were showing off their best plays in an exciting three-game series, but only one of them could throw a wrench in the works of the Chinese in their path towards The International 2014 title. It’s a long and a hard road through the grueling Lower Bracket, but neither of these Western juggernauts were going to give an inch, as the first set of the day started off with a blast.

While world Cloud 9 drafted strong against a rather peculiar draft of ua Na’Vi's in the game one of the series - which they went on winning convincingly - you can never count out the three-time finalists Na'Vi, as the Ukrainian squad bounced back right back into the series with a swift game two victory over C9. The big ultimates paved a way for a clear 21 minute stomp, as both of the teams turned their focus on the last and deciding game of the series.


Na'Vi on the ropes against Cloud 9.

The game three was a prime example of how to make the weirdest of drafts work so seamlessly that it almost seems like the enemy never had a chance. While ua Na’Vi looked to have the draft by the balls, they were never really able to execute their strategy properly and were time and time again caught off by the brilliant initiation from world C9. Especially bone7 on his Clockwerk - who finished the game on 13-0-12 - wreaked havoc amongst Na’Vi never really giving them a breather or a chance to bounce back into the game. With 31 minutes on the clock, Na’Vi had had enough and it was time for the three-time International finalists’ to take their bow and exit the competition as Cloud 9 moved on to take on cn VG in the quarter-finals.


cn iG vs cn LGD - A Chinese power struggle


Game 1

Game 2 (1/2)

Game 2 (2/2)

Game 3


Both of teams were familiar with each other’s playstyles, having fought against one another several times before. As we headed into the first game of the series, cn iG was doubt the favorite despite cn LGD's great run in the last days of the group stages, where they just managed to wiggle their way through to the main event. iG, being one of the heavy favorites to take the whole tournament started of shaky, dropping an easy game one to their fellow Chinese team, as LGD got their draft working superbly and they were able to storm through the iG lineup without any problems.


LGD's form is looking amazing.

The second game was a whole different story, as cn iG struck back hard using pretty much the same combination of Stun into Sunstrike, what cn LGD had just utilized in the game before. Despite their tanky lineup being able to soak a lot of damage from the enemy team, LGD was unable to find the opening to crack through the iG lineup, and the series was now tied up at 1 to 1. iG opted for a similar lineup in the game three of the series, but this time were unable to find the opening for the easy pickoffs and with the cores of LGD getting what they needed, it was looking dire for the iG squad. Despite the Chronosphere giving iG plenty of room to maneuver, LGD’s brilliant coordination and a tanky core put them so far ahead that eventually, they had no other choice than to tap out and call the well-deserved GG. With the victory over the Chinese juggernaut iG, LGD keeps their dreams alive and surprise many souls, as they were the clear underdogs going into the matchup. They now face cn Team DK in the next round of the Lower Bracket.


cn VG vs world Cloud 9 - Rain clouds gather


Game 1


Only the first game of the series was played today. Rest of the games will be played first thing tomorrow.


world Cloud 9 came to the one-game-only series of the day on the back of a convincing victory over ua Na’Vi, and despite cn VG's amazing run through the group stage phase of the tournament, and the great effort against cn NewBee in the Upper Bracket, Cloud 9 were the slight favorites to take the first and the only game of the series today. With a solid draft and a great start C9 was able to push ahead in the early stages of the game, but a few bad trades and the inability to properly react to the five-man pushing that VG was going for, really hampered the mixed lineup and their progress. VG’s mid-game centric lineup was getting what they needed to put the pedal to the metal and cruise through the Cloud 9 defenses, despite the fact that C9 was able to time and time again repel the sieging force of the Chinese squad. At the end of the day it was too much and VG were able to secure the first game and a distinctive advantage going into tomorrows’ games.


cn Team DK vs cn LGD - A full-on rumble


Game 1


Only the first game of the series was played today. Rest of the games will be played first thing tomorrow.


If any team was expected to do great in this years’ International, it has to be cn Team DK. The superstar-filled lineup recently announced that this would be their last run together as a team, and despite their plunder against us EG yesterday, they stormed into todays’ matchup with a clear cut vision. Their eyes on the prize, DK started their first and the only game of the day strong against cn LGD, who had taken an impressive victory over their fellow countrymen cn iG in the previous matchup. With their early game advantage DK was able to put the pressure on early, but LGD was not about to back down easily. Even with two sets of Barracks’ down, the number one Chinese surprise team of the tournament LGD, was able to turn the tide in their favor in the ultra-late game and now put DK in an awkward position, just one game away from elimination. While it was no way a perfect or an easy game for either of the teams, it was definitely an exciting one till the very end.


Things are getting exciting in the stadium.

The day capped off with an amazing All-star matchup which - to be totally honest - you just have to see for yourselves.


VoD of the All-stars Match



Check out our coverage, stadings and the upcoming matches right here.



This article was written by fi Teemu Ikonen, joinDOTA's Senior Writer. Meliora.Infinitum got absorbed into Dota during a LAN party between TI and TI2, and has been captivated ever since. Spends his spare time outdoors taking photos and writing a book. Believer of alternate universes, no legs strat and Half Life 3. Location: Espoo, FinlandFollow him on @MelioraInf.


Advertisement


Comments