posted by Meliora.Infinitum,
The last series before the Grand Finals was a thrilling one, as us EG took on cn VG in matchup that eventually turned out to be much more one-sided than we though. The Chinese crowned their superb run through the LB with a brilliant and swift victory over the Americans, showing that they truly deserved their place in the finals.
Lower Bracket FinalsGame 1Game 2Game 3
Pregamecn VG0:0EG usVG goes back to their pushing strategy with early game dominance in mind, while EG is stacking up some heavy team fighters like Shadow Shaman, Sand King & Brewmaster to control the tempo of the game. Both teams are opting for active heroes which already reeks of an early game extravaganza unlike anything we’ve seen before.2:00cn VG0:0EG usFirst few minutes of the game are all about the lanes which seem to slightly favor VG. EG are trying to get advantages where they can, but it’s not the most optimal start for the Americans.4:00cn VG1:0EG usUniverse overextends on the bottom lane after a great start and feeds an unfortunate kill to Sylar on his Nature’s Prophet.6:00cn VG2:0EG usVG gets a secondary kill in the river and instantly transitions to push the tier one mid. The first tower of the game falls and VG are looking solid.8:00cn VG2:3EG usEG turns the table on the top lane getting three important kills on the board after being down 2 to 0. They are still getting pressured heavily as the second tower of the game falls for VG.10:00cn VG3:3EG usAnother two towers fall only moments later and it’s starting to look grim for the Americans, who are unable to mount any sort of defense.
An army is knocking on EG's door.
12:00cn VG7:3EG usEG has to pull back to defend as VG breaks the high ground just 11 minutes in. With EG heroes falling left, right and center it’s looking like a quick victory for the Chinese. The first set of Barracks is toast.15:00cn VG8:3EG usArteezy gets caught again on the mid lane, as VG goes for another push into enemy base. EG tries to mount a defense, but the sheer item difference is already too much for them to handle. At the end of the day, they are able to repel the invaders, but lose a tier three tower in the process.ENDcn VG9:3EG usEG taps out as they realize the Chinese are just way too far ahead at this point and an easy first game goes to VG, who look unstoppable going into game two of the series. Can EG find their stride to beat the streaking Chinese? Stay tuned to find out.
Pregamecn VG0:0EG usEG snatches the trustworthy Faceless Void for Universe early on with an Enigma on the side, once again putting emphasis on the ultimates. VG on the other hand stays in their comfort zone with Nature’s Prophet, Doom and AA pickups, rounding out their draft with a tanky Dragon Knight. As we head into the second game of the series, it looks to be a case of who can outlast the other with both teams boasting a lot of health points for enemy to get through.3:00cn VG0:0EG usThis time around the early laning stage looks to be going EG’s way, as they are getting good farm on all of their cores despite the fact that Enigma had to start off by farming ancients. 6:00cn VG1:1EG usFirst blood goes to VG after a great smoke rotation, but EG answers back instantly with a kill on Doom on the top lane.7:30cn VG3:3EG usThe first Chrono of the game hits three as VG get destroyed on the mid lane, but VG retaliates fast with two kills of their own.10:00cn VG3:5EG usMason grabs a solo kill on Sylar on the bottom lane, while both teams look to stabilize and get some farm going their way.11:30cn VG5:5EG usVG takes the fight to the enemy in the mid lane blowing all of their ultimates for two kills and a tower. They also find the huge ancient stack and steal a major part of it.14:00cn VG6:5EG usVG takes a tower on the back of a nice pickoff on Arteezy on the top lane. Both teams are really close to one another when it comes down to farm.
Battle in the Radiant jungle.
19:00cn VG10:11EG usVG keeps on pushing, this time on the bottom lane. Universe tries to jump for a Chrono, but dies instantly, just about getting it off. A big Black Hole turns things around though as EG is able to obliterate VG’s tanky heroes and claim four kills for one.21:00cn VG11:11EG usAnother smoke from VG nets a kill on the support Alchemist, as VG instantly transitions to take down yet another tower. Both teams are still very much even, but EG is losing ground fast.23:00cn VG13:14EG usA long drawn-out fight on the top lane nets EG three kills for two, and while they do lose their tier two tower, it’s a favorable trade for the Americans.27:00cn VG13:14EG usVG is taking a small lead in the terms of items and farm, but with all the outer towers down they must search for pickoffs in order to break the high ground.29:00cn VG13:18EG usA huge Chronosphere into even bigger Black Hole nets EG four kills for none in the mid lane, and as a cherry on top they manage to bring down Roshan. 34:00cn VG13:18EG usBoth teams settle down to farm with their eyes on the next Roshan. EG is already getting their tri-core rolling hard, but VG still has the tools to break the back of the Americans if they slip. 36:00cn VG13:22EG usA smoke through the Radiant jungle pays off as VG gets caught off guard, losing four heroes in the process. EG takes the initiative after their successful gank and pushes high ground destroying the first tier three tower of the game.39:00cn VG16:23EG usVG gets a good fight inside the enemy base as they break the high ground, but ultimately are forced back and have to forfeit the Roshan to EG.42:00cn VG17:29EG usA huge “BKB bait” from zai nets EG another tier three tower down on the bottom lane as well as their first set of Barracks. Moments later another team fight ensues where VG lose their second set of Barracks and it’s very close to GG time for the Chinese squad.ENDcn VG20:37EG usA huge Chrono/Black Hole combination from the Americans finally seals the deal as VG went for an all in push down the middle lane that eventually spelled their own doom. The series is now tied up 1 to 1.
Pregamecn VG0:0EG usEG goes for the same two picks - Enigma & Void - that paved the way for their victory in the game two, while VG takes the Nature’s Prophet for the third time in the row. This time around VG opts for a Shadow Demon to try to counter the Faceless Void as well as to provide setup for the Leshrac stun. With the last few picks, EG throws a curveball at the Chinese opting for a super tanky Timbersaw/Alchemist duo, which puts a lot of pressure on Vg to take over the game early on. 0:30cn VG1:0EG usA quick first blood goes the way of VG as they are able to grab ppd with the help of an invisibility rune. 5:00cn VG1:0EG usVg is putting heavy pressure on Mason in the top lane early on and are able to push through the first tower of the game easily with the Leshrac Edict.8:00cn VG1:0EG usVG goes for another tower, this time on the bottom lane and manage to get it without too much of a fuss. With the tower advantage going VG’s way they are now in a slight lead that could very well turn as soon EG gets their team fight ultimates up.10:00cn VG2:1EG usBoth teams trade one for one on the middle lane, while Enigma is farming the top. VG gets another tower going their way as the Americans are unable to push back Chinese squad.13:00cn VG3:1EG usA smoke from VG nets them an important kill on zai as they sweep onward to take down the tier two tower on the top lane.ENDcn VG6:1EG usEG trade Roshan for a lot of damage on their tier three tower. The Americans try to repel the invaders shortly after, but are completely destroyed and have no other choice than to call out the well-deserved GG. With the victory, VG goes to the Grand Finals to face NewBee.



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.


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