After the scandal that occured a few days ago at MLG Raleigh, the moment which all the American teams have been waiting for has finally arrived. At one side we have Team Curse Academy who were directly involved in the scandals and are most certainly looking forward to redeem themselves. Their opponent is a team that CAN take a spot at the Grand Finals, if they manage to display the potential they most certainly have. Team SoloMid EVO has constantly shown great performance, but will they be able to secure a win today? A best-of-three series is a good way to find out!

Team Curse Academy vs Team SoloMid EVO

GAME 1:





GAME RECAP:

Game 1 started in a pretty aggressive way. We saw TSM.EVO moving to their enemy's blue buff, there were no victims however. First blood was in favor of EVO: after a perfectly executed gank on botlane they secured the kill on Olaf, getting a slight advantage in gold. Both teams resumed farming.

First dragon in the game was also picked by TSM.EVO. After a well organized push they took the outer mid tower and went straight for drake, taking it uncontested. At this point both teams were relying on aggressive plays and securing global objectives.

One of the two big game changing teamfights took place near the dragon pit. This time however, the event went in favor of Curse. After a perfect performance in the teamfight they managed to secure 3 kills and the second dragon of the game.

At this point Curse was eager to increase their advantage by heading for the most valuable objective to pick up - Baron Nashor. That's where the second big teamfight in the game took place, Curse again coming out top with an ace and an inhibitor as a reward to their great play. TSM.EVO figured that their current position was rather hopeless and surrendered which led to Curse winning game 1.




WINNER: CURSE

GAME 2:





GAME RECAP:

After dropping the previous game, it was go hard or go home for TSM.EVO. They were focused to securing some early advantage. As before, first blood went in their favor and again UnstopableX was the one securing the kill. During the early stages of the game, both teams were focused on farming.

TSM.EVO were looking pretty good after securing some early advantage and their idea of playing safe was built around farming and securing vision over global objectives. Said objectives got picked up by Curse anyways, almost all the dragons throughout the game went in favor of Curse without their enemy really stepping up to them.

Same as in the previous game, it was the mid-game face in which Curse started to shine. Having almost 0 advantage, they decided to go for Baron, picking it up uncontested and scoring an Ace over their opponents in the following teamfight. From that point and on, Curse took their time with a clear focus on tactically destroying turrets and inhibitors. With no place left to go and in an act of desperation, EVO decided to engage what was to be the last teamfight in the game. This final step made them lose the game and took away their chances for qualifying for the Grand Finals.



WINNER: CURSE