League of Legends
After some thrilling semi final matches, Fnatic and the Unicorns of Love were through to the grand final. A young Fnatic roster lead expertly by veteran Yellowstar, showed true grit and fortitude to triumph over H2k, and the Unicorns pulled out every trick in the book to defeat us in their semi final. Both semi finals reached the full 5 games and Fnatic and the Unicorns were probably the right teams to be in the final.They both showed some unorthodox picks, and the ability to thrive in a constantly skirmishing environment. The final promised to be very exciting, both teams loved to fight often and early, and both were not adverse to trying new intriguing strategies.
For the losing semi final teams, third place and world championship points were on the line. Both teams might have been a little aggrieved not to have gone through, as both semi finals were extremely close and every team had chances to take it. SK were probably favorites although H2k had arguably played better in their semi final, and it was almost a mini final. Both teams gave it everything and produced another extremely exciting series.
3rd Place Playoff - SK Gaming vs H2k
H2k had shown they were a team with few weaknesses. Stable and controlled play had seen them through to this match, but with KaSing and Ryu they possessed some play makers who were able to capitalize on our mistakes. From our perspective it was a similar repeat of the semi final against UoL, some players played out of their minds, but some were lackluster.
Overview of the match:
SK Gaming 2-3 
H2k
Game 1 was very promising from our point of view. Fox played brilliantly on Kassadin, and when combined with a dominant Fredy Shyvana, H2k had few answers. Game 2 continued in our favor, Sven pulling out his amazing Lee Sin, and hard carrying this game, like we now expect him to on this champion. Game 3 hit us hard. Ryu was out of control on Zed and the whole H2k roster stepped up their game, a few misplays resulted in H2k clawing back a victory. The fourth game was disappointing as we had some good play, again mainly from Sven, but by now Ryu and Hjarnan had found their groove and the better team won. Game 5 went the way of Game 4. Our resolve seemed to have weakened and H2k ran out deserving winners in a fast 27 minute game.
Series MVP:
Ryu "Ryu" Sang-wook
Ryu continued his impressive performances, making plays and showing us some glimpses of his former stature. He has been getting better and better over the course of the split, and his Zed destroyed us. Great showings on a multitude of champions means his champion was diverse enough to counter any targeted bans, and he put up very impressive KDAs in games 2-5. While Hjarnan also played extremely well, I thought Ryu added some play making potential to the roster and was the X factor H2k needed.
Grand Final - Fnatic vs Unicorns of Love
It was fitting that the final series of the split and also a meeting between two teams very similar in style went the distance. It was the perfect neutrals final, as while both teams may have not been the most strategically sound, they were definitely the most entertaining. Yellowstar showed why is perhaps the greatest western captain ever, reviving a great Fnatic team from the ashes of it's former legends.
Overview of the match:
Fnatic 3-2 Unicorns of Love
Game 1 was classic UoL. A mid lane Varus from PoE was the X factor, and Fnatic didn't look entirely comfortable paying against it. Despite this it was never seen again, and Fnatic struck back in Game 2, all members playing superbly and crushing UoL in standard play. The momentum was continued with a Game 3 victory for Fnatic, Kiki's Udyr a non factor. UoL struck back with a dominant Game 4, Fnatic only securing 2 kills and the series was balanced on a knife edge. Game 5 was quite even, both teams still in it, until the best Gragas ultimate I have ever seen. Reignover won that game hands down, but all of Fnatic deserved the victory and even UoL looked happy just to have made it to the final.
Series MVP: Kim "Reignover" Ui-jin
While Yellowstar was the most popular candidate for MVP, I believe Reignover stepped up to the occasion, Blasting UoL in Game 5 and playing a great series throughout. His pinpoint perfect Gragas ultimate to fling PoE and Vardag back into his team was spectacular, and he was worked hard to improve his poor pedigree from Korea. One of Europes best junglers, Reignover had a stellar split and he and Fnatic should be looking put in a strong performance at MSI.
It's been a very interesting split, the regular season may not have always been amazing, but the playoffs were incredible and were certainly the most entertaining ever, we now look forward to the Summer split even more!
Images courtesy of lolesports.com
For the losing semi final teams, third place and world championship points were on the line. Both teams might have been a little aggrieved not to have gone through, as both semi finals were extremely close and every team had chances to take it. SK were probably favorites although H2k had arguably played better in their semi final, and it was almost a mini final. Both teams gave it everything and produced another extremely exciting series.
3rd Place Playoff - SK Gaming vs H2k
H2k had shown they were a team with few weaknesses. Stable and controlled play had seen them through to this match, but with KaSing and Ryu they possessed some play makers who were able to capitalize on our mistakes. From our perspective it was a similar repeat of the semi final against UoL, some players played out of their minds, but some were lackluster.
Overview of the match:
SK Gaming 2-3 H2kGame 1 was very promising from our point of view. Fox played brilliantly on Kassadin, and when combined with a dominant Fredy Shyvana, H2k had few answers. Game 2 continued in our favor, Sven pulling out his amazing Lee Sin, and hard carrying this game, like we now expect him to on this champion. Game 3 hit us hard. Ryu was out of control on Zed and the whole H2k roster stepped up their game, a few misplays resulted in H2k clawing back a victory. The fourth game was disappointing as we had some good play, again mainly from Sven, but by now Ryu and Hjarnan had found their groove and the better team won. Game 5 went the way of Game 4. Our resolve seemed to have weakened and H2k ran out deserving winners in a fast 27 minute game.
Series MVP:
Ryu "Ryu" Sang-wookRyu continued his impressive performances, making plays and showing us some glimpses of his former stature. He has been getting better and better over the course of the split, and his Zed destroyed us. Great showings on a multitude of champions means his champion was diverse enough to counter any targeted bans, and he put up very impressive KDAs in games 2-5. While Hjarnan also played extremely well, I thought Ryu added some play making potential to the roster and was the X factor H2k needed.
Grand Final - Fnatic vs Unicorns of Love
It was fitting that the final series of the split and also a meeting between two teams very similar in style went the distance. It was the perfect neutrals final, as while both teams may have not been the most strategically sound, they were definitely the most entertaining. Yellowstar showed why is perhaps the greatest western captain ever, reviving a great Fnatic team from the ashes of it's former legends.
Overview of the match:
Fnatic 3-2 Unicorns of LoveGame 1 was classic UoL. A mid lane Varus from PoE was the X factor, and Fnatic didn't look entirely comfortable paying against it. Despite this it was never seen again, and Fnatic struck back in Game 2, all members playing superbly and crushing UoL in standard play. The momentum was continued with a Game 3 victory for Fnatic, Kiki's Udyr a non factor. UoL struck back with a dominant Game 4, Fnatic only securing 2 kills and the series was balanced on a knife edge. Game 5 was quite even, both teams still in it, until the best Gragas ultimate I have ever seen. Reignover won that game hands down, but all of Fnatic deserved the victory and even UoL looked happy just to have made it to the final.
Series MVP:
Kim "Reignover" Ui-jinWhile Yellowstar was the most popular candidate for MVP, I believe Reignover stepped up to the occasion, Blasting UoL in Game 5 and playing a great series throughout. His pinpoint perfect Gragas ultimate to fling PoE and Vardag back into his team was spectacular, and he was worked hard to improve his poor pedigree from Korea. One of Europes best junglers, Reignover had a stellar split and he and Fnatic should be looking put in a strong performance at MSI.
It's been a very interesting split, the regular season may not have always been amazing, but the playoffs were incredible and were certainly the most entertaining ever, we now look forward to the Summer split even more!
Images courtesy of lolesports.com
Krahft
League of Legends Editor at SK Gaming from 10/2014 -
Nerd since 1996 and committed to helping the growth of e-Sports in anyway possible!
Best ranks:
- League of Legends: Gold I
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive: Gold Nova 1
- Smite: Gold 1
- Hearthstone: Rank 8
Currently Reading BA English and Sports Science at Loughborough University
My twitter: @SK_Krahft
Steam: Krahft
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