Day 2 Recap of the League of Legends World Championship

Day 2 of the World Championship saw the return of regional powerhouses Moscow 5, Taipei Assassins, and Team SoloMid.  After completely dominating the competition in Day 1, Korean teams Azubu Frost and NaJin Sword along with Invictus Gaming would do battle with the fiercest teams in League of Legends.

Game 1

The day started with the indomitable Moscow 5 facing off against Invictus Gaming, and boy did it ever demonstrate just why M5 is one of the best teams out there.  After getting off to a terrible 2-6 start and being outplayed by Invictus in the early game, M5 surged back by forcing objectives and fights throughout the mid to late game.

M5’s Alex Ich proved Evelynn is not so terrible after all, racking up an impressive triple kill in an incredible team fight 20 minutes into the match.  The tides continued to turn as M5 picked up their first ace not soon after while forcing dragon.  By the 28 minute mark, M5 obliterated Invictus in a 0-4 exchange at Baron.  Unable to withstand the team control backed with an 8/3 Genja, IG tossed out the GG.

M5 takes game 1 with a combined score of 24/20/58 and only 2 structures taken.

Game 2

Similar to game 1, Invictus Gaming came out swinging.  After an early invade reminiscent of M5’s own blitzkrieg strategies, IG was able to secure first blood on Darien’s Olaf.  However, this would only be a minor setback for the veteran jungler, as Darien would eventually go on to be 8/4/7.  The same could not be said for IG’s illuSioN on Shen, who seemed to struggle at 1/4/6.

By the 26 minute mark M5 had secured 2 dragons, 2 middle turrets, and the baron buff.  And while IG was able to ultimately take 3 turrets, it was too little too late.  A decisive battle at bottom turret after already pushing in from the mid lane left M5 with the ace.  Knowing they were now delaying the inevitable, IG called out the GG as M5 forced a second surrender.

M5 takes game 2 with a combined score of 22/11/60 and 3 structures taken.

Game 1

After an impressive day 1 finish at 3-0, NaJin Sword led by Top laner MaKNooN were feeling more than confident the Taipei Assassins.  The amount of praise the team had been getting in combination with the amount of flack TPA was receiving – being collectively thought of as the weakest team still in the tournament – seemed to indicate NS was heavily favored to win the matchup.

Instead, TPA put on a clinic and demonstrated why they are the best team in their region.  Taking first blood by the 5 minute mark on SSong’s Ryze, TPA followed up by continuously driving at NS.  Toyz would end up completely fed going 6/0/5 on his Orianna.  When it came to the team fights and objective control, there was no contest; there was simply nothing NS could do to counter the aggression.  The decisive battle at the mid base turret saw TPA Bebe’s Kog’Maw score a triple kill and solidify the ace.  With no response available, NS gave the surrender.

TPA takes game 1 with a combined score of 13/3/30, 2 structures taken and a 10k gold lead.

Game 2

Game 2 seemed to start off in favor of the Korean team, but once again TPA was able to show the world that they’re not to be underestimated.  Despite gaining an early lead in kills,TPA came back with the same aggressive play seen in the previous game.

Opting to go for a Blitzcrank support, NS tried to counter TPA with an overly AoE centric, strong initiation line up.  Alas, the composition mattered little to TPA MiSTakE, who landed key grabs throughout the match to better situate his team.  Past the 16 minute mark, this game was all TPA; 5 towers, 2 dragons, and 1 inhibitor later, NS threw out the second surrender.

TPA takes game 2 with a combined score of 15/12/45 with 5 structures taken.

Game 1

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The match that everyone was waiting for – TSM vs. Azubu.  We all remembered how Blaze completely decimated TSM during the MLG Summer Arena.  The start of the game seemed to be heading that way as well, as Dyrus was repeatedly caught off guard top lane to give early kills.  However, TSM rallied back with a number of key initiations led by Reginald’s Karthus.

But while TSM may have been trying to force initiations, Azubu countered with superior map awareness and attacking towers.  When TSM went for Baron at the 29 minute mark, Azubu instead took the opportunity to capture their middle inhibator.  From that point forward it was all Azubu led by the 7/4 Shy on Jayce.

Azubu Frost dominated game 1 with a combined score of 17/15/31, 13 structures taken and nearly a 20k gold lead.

Game 2

TSM opened this match with early aggression, gaining kills and shooting up in the gold lead. As the last surviving NA team, TSM needed a win to stay in the competition and keep the hopes of their region alive.  Unfortunately, Azubu had other plans.

Despite taking the early lead, TSM was unable to convert their early kills into tangible results due in large part once again to map awareness.  CloudTemplar’s Skarner was seemingly everywhere at all times, initiating ganks and becoming an unstoppable beast.    Dyrus picked up Jayce in an attempt to deny Shy the champion, but this seemed to do nothing to the 6/2/5 Top laner.  Azubu was eventually able to catch up in the gold difference and proceeded to perfectly execute every team fight encountered.  After a Baron capture at the 24 minute mark, Azubu steamrolled through the #1 NA team.

Azubu takes game 2 with a combined score of 18/12/50, 7 structures taken and a 11k gold difference.

With TSM eliminated, the tournament has shifted to a match between the European and Asian teams. Who will make it to the Championship next Saturday?  Find out with the Semi-finals on Day 3!