Summoners!
Another glorious battle has come to a close, as Moscow 5 has seized victory at the European Challenger Circuit in Poland this past weekend over arch rivals CLG.EU with at 2-0 finish in the finals. Along with the first place title, M5 also walked away with 400 circuit points and a cool $15,000.
But most importantly – at least in my opinion – they walked away reminding everyone why they should be feared as the top tier team.
Breaking the 4-0 slump of LAN losses to CLG.EU, M5 completely obliterated their rivals in the final 2 games of the tournament. Remembering the defeat at DreamHack, M5 was determined not to let CLG.EU find an opportunity to rally back during the late game. In fact, the usual early game domination M5 has become famous for was foregone instead, in favor of a longer sustain composition – a risky move considering CLG.EU has become the king of late game victories.
In what must be seen as strategy specifically against their CLG.EU, Alex Ich led M5 with the idea of building 5 team Guardian Angels. The idea was simple: if forced into team fights, we win because we all need to be killed twice.
Truly uncharacteristic of M5, both teams allowed the early moments of game 1 to start passively, opting to defend their respective jungles and farm. However, not long after M5′s Diamondprox struck with successful back-to-back ganks on CLG.EU’s Top Laner Wickd, catapulting the team into an early lead. Recognizing their focus is on Top Lane, CLG.EU instead focused on picking up an early, uncontested dragon kill.
The second dragon fight didn’t go so well. While CLG.EU was able to once again secure the kill, M5 forced an exchange and came out 4-1 over CLG.EU. Already starting to snowball, M5 rode the wave of gold flow into a successful third dragon kill, mid tower destruction, and 3 more enemy kills. Not long after, the team picked up Baron and aced CLG.EU at their own inhibitor turret, forcing a CLG surrender.
Initially changing tactics for game 2, CLG started with an early invade of M5′s jungle but ultimately had to back away. By around the 10 minute mark Alex ganked bot lane for the M5 first blood and launched the offensive into an early dragon kill. By the 23 minute mark, M5 was dominating with a 4-0 lead and another dragon picked up.
10 minutes later, M5 ace CLG.EU under their mid tower and take Baron uncontested. With no option left but to defend, CLG.EU enters into the turtle. However, the defense isn’t enough as CLG.EU bides their time and surgically strike at the enemy base, eventually taking the nexus turret.
The battle was intense! Already leading the European Circuit, this victory was the statement M5 needed headed into the Season 2 Championship.
If you did not get a chance to witness this tournament, I highly encourage you to find the replays here. It’s not one to miss.
See you on the Fields of Justice.
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