Only four teams are left in the tournament. Third day was filled with very tense games and several interesting deviations from the established meta. With China out of the scene, it is for EU and NA to battle it out for the Boston Major champion title.
Third day started with an immaculate first game from EG. They managed to both outplay and outdraft their opponent, leaving them absolutely no chance for a comeback. Eastern style Io managed to completely shut down VP's playstyle, never allowing them to get online.
Second game started even bleaker for the CIS squad, however come mid game they've gained a good momentum and heavily pressured EG, even taking a lane of barracks. A very unconventional draft with core Sniper and Bloodseeker almost worked, but Evil geniuses managed to hold their highground, with the help of several buybacks. After that, instead of playing safely and conservatively, they looked for an opening in the VP's defenses and found it. Paying to win and not playing not to lose paid off for the NA powerhouse and they advanced in the tournament with a confident 2:0 score.
WG.Unity did not have the strongest opponent in the first day of the tournament and going up against OG, the odds were definitely stacked against them.
First game, however, didn't look unfair or one-sided by any means. In fact, WG.Unity's KnowKnow was snowballing hard out of control on his Legion Commander, while 哎哟 was playing a surprising mid-game brawler role on OD. This approach paid off big time — WG.Unity were in the driver's seat for the whole game. OG almost stabilized, but have fallen in the end.
OG decided not to give away LC in their second game, backing her up with a Warlock pick. WG.Unity answered with a regular Shadow Demon as well as Elder Titan — an infrequent guest on the main stage.
The second game started horribly for WG.Unity, but by the 5 minute mark they managed to stop the bleeding. They were still being outfarmed, courtesy of ana Alchemist, but their teamfight was good enough to hold the OG pressure for almost 40 minutes. Once Alchemist started gifting Scepters to his teammates, however, there was no way for WG.Unity to fight back.
The beginning of the Game 3 draft developed very conservatively, with the usual cast of Alchemists, Lunas, Shadow Demons on both sides. At the end, however, both teams decided to surprise everyone with a support Lina for OG and a core mid Pugna for WG.Unity.
This surprise Pugna pick definitely slowed down Alchemist progression in his midlane, with ana even feeding an early kill. The other lanes of WG.Unity, on the other hand, did not go too well, once again making for a very even midgame.
Once the laning stage ended, OG started pulling ahead and the SD + Alchemist combo started doing its work—a midgame itemized Luna couldn't keep up with the farm and quickly became irrelevant. The game lasted for almost 40 minutes, but it was decided 25 minutes in.
DC easily won the first game with a confident Naga Siren pick. NP had answers, with Warlock, Outworld Devourer and even Venomanver, but after losing their lanes, they were no match for a very textbook Naga Dota.
Envy has pulled out his Timbersaw for the second game, while DC went for an Alchemist, Luna and Axe tri-core. Aui_2000 played Sven with an offlane MSS Sand King. Envy was easily winning his comfortable lane against Alchemist until DC's safelane managed to secure an early first blood and then quickly rotate mid. 10 minutes in, DC was in a very comfortable lead, once again winning all three lanes.
There really was no way to come back into the game for the Canadian squad, and, to be completely honest, it didn't seem that they were even trying. Mistake after mistake they allowed DC to snowball and called "gg" 23 minutes into the game.
NP have shown excellent Dota throughout the tournament and they deserved their final placement. But in this particular game, it seemed like they have choked—maybe the nerves got the better of them. However it shouldn't take away from the DC's feat — they definitely deserve the status of this tournament's favorites.
Ad Finem had no respect for xiao8's Enigma, allowing Forever Young to finally get their hands on this hero. They also picked Clockwerk for Prime xiao8—the ultimate bully. Playing Clockwerk very much like Bounty Hunter, he managed to disrupt the early game for Enigma.
Once again, Madara's Morphling was allowed to run rampant in the early game and Ad Finem have gained a significant lead early on.
Even the legendary Chinese turtle strategy from xiao8 couldn't hold the raw aggression from the Greek team. With a massive net worth and XP advantage they managed to secure the victory in the first game with a beautiful teamfight.
A last pick Terrorblade for Forever Young was definitely a very risky pick, but they managed to make it work right from the start, with a first blood on Dark Seer of Ad Finem.
Without the usual momentum, Ad Finem never had a chance to come fully online. Alchemist of Ad Finem was suffering in mid against Timbersaw and the other lanes went also slightly in favor of the Chinese team.
With essentially all three lanes won, it was Forever Young's turn to pressure out their opponent and no amount of amazing Vacuum+Chaotic Offering combos could stop them.
Ad Finem overcommited to preventing the Alchemist from getting the first bounty rune, leading to a quick first blood and a second kill for Forever Young, but they managed to salvage their early game with a couple of good arrows from Prime xiao8.
Next 30 minutes were filled with beautiful back and forth: xiao8's team was once again pushed to their limit on their highground, with Ad Finem unable to find the right angle of attack. A single miscalculation from Forever Young, not taking into account the cheese on OD of Jaded cost them the game in the end—with a sudden burst of health, he managed to turn around a fight near the Roshan pit and secure a top4 placement for the Greeks.
1st !!! OMG
2nd yay GO EG
No one shall claim third.
Solid thread 5/7.
4th yey giga lul
5th HoHo
6th yehey :)
Well I guess I get 7th.
If thats how we are going to do it.I claim 8th to 9004 th
Ok 9th now wheres my cookie
10 for 10k mmr
WG.Unity did not have the strongest opponent in the first day of the tournament --
Is wings gaming not strong enough for you? Wtf?!
I hope the major finishes soon because my prediction is 6.89 will be fresh and out a week or less after taht.
The remnants of 300 Spartans run amok against King Xerxes of China.......
@BoyOnes King Xerxes I is Persian and not fking chinese. and btw spartan movie was fiction- no historical base
I'd be so glad if all 1st/2nd etc spammers would be IP and computer blocked from the forums, or possibly Dota.
WG.Unity did not have the strongest opponent in the first day of the tournament and going up against OG
- Who give the right for this 4.4K 'Pro' to post this? He can't even pass qualify match if he play
Spartan movie has no historical base?go do some homework
Wp to all EU and NA teams, they have been playing an awesomes and interesting matchs!
the description of the last match is desperately ridiculous
about what game were you talking when mentioned Alchemist suffering in mid against Timber?and when you said that Ad Finem overcommitted to prevent him FROM his first bounty?
and it is just the most obvious place - you made no distinction between game 1 and game 2 as well
please make it proper and be more accurate next time
1st !!!!!!!!!!!
this chat is full of retards lol
Most Epic Finish Adfinem Vs OG Grandfinal Boston Major! , lul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyfs1hBgFPY