Moscow 5 secure victory in the League of Champions
eSports Central
The League of Champions, a two day online european invitational tournament took place this week consisting of the following teams:
FnaticRC
Millenium
SK Gaming
TeamLess
Acer
Curse.EU
Moscow 5
Eclypsia
The tournament used a double elimination format, where the losers of a match were knocked down to the Losers Bracket. The initial rounds were a best-of-one format, progressing into best-of-threes in the later stages. With the caliber of all teams present it would be inaccurate to call any of the results an upset, but many close games were produced. As the tournament progressed we began to see Moscow 5's inability to lose games no matter what the kill count was in the mid-game and why Acer is a team that should be on everyone's EU radar.
Round 1 Highlight Game:
Moscow 5's game against Eclypsia was a nailbiter for both teams. Eclypsia gaining a very early kill lead with a failed counter jungle by Moscow 5 meant that Moscow 5 had to come from behind to stay in the game, which they did through outstanding creep score - despite Eclypsia's ability to gain multiple lane kills and win early teamfights. Moscow 5's support GosuPepper favored the extra burst power of Deathfire Grasp instead of the conventional support items, a trend that would carry on throughout the tournament with favorable results in teamfights. Moscow 5's played with the late game, the close gold score being deceiving throughout the match. With champions like Jax and Shyvana, meant Moscow 5 were able to slowly but surely gain momentum into their win.
Round 2 Highlight Game:
Acer's first game against the Russian team Moscow 5 was a clash of this tournaments titans. Dar1en employed his bottom lane Yorick with an early blue. Acer responded with sending Alistar top with Kayle instead of the typical full lane swap, leaving Graves in a solo lane. Despite Acer gaining an early first blood as a result of their swap and leading off in even more lane kills. Moscow 5 kept ahead in creep score across all lanes, resulting in an even gold count despite lacking in kills. Moscow 5 continued their trend of playing for the late game, being much less aggressive than we've previously seen them be and taking the GP10 route. It seemed all was lost despite the closeness of the match when Moscow 5 gave away a free dragon and baron in under a minute to team Acer. Acer's inability to finish the game allowed Moscow 5 to outplay Acer in crucial teamfight that was timed with a baron spawn to gain back the equality and apply their lategame advantage to take the win in a very exciting and back and forth match.
Lower Bracket Final Highlight Game:
The game between FnaticRC and Acer started off fairly even with the first 4 kills being evenly distributed, but with far more assists for Acer making up most of the gold difference. Acer slowly took the kill advantage in the early game, forcing Kennen to roam as his lane was lost early on due to pressure from multiple ganks. The real midgame decider was the domination in the bottom lane from Acer, Graves having a hefty creep score and kill lead, making his burst detrimental. Acer's ability to control FnaticRC's position on the map meant they could take a fast baron to get even more ahead, Acer showcased their ability to manipulate FnaticRC's positioning in and out of teamfights. Their baron buff combined with their ability to split FnaticRC in crucial teamfights allowed Acer to push and take the win.
Grand Final Highlight Game:
Moscow 5 and Acer met again, this time in the finals of the tournament. The two teams were neck and neck, keeping even in kills and creep score throughout the early game. Moscow 5 adopted a much more aggressive style than they had in the earlier points in the tournament, in lane and through their ganks. As Moscow 5 slowly gained an advantage as the power of their lategame champions started to show through Jax and Kogmaw. Acer were unable to shut down Genja's Kogmaw throughout the whole game, which allowed all teamfights to go in Moscow 5's favor, resulting in a surrender from Acer and 1000 euros for the Russian team.
Moscow 5 went into the League of Champions as a favorite, and proved to the viewers why they were just that. Despite some shaky kill counts in Moscow 5's disfavor, they never allowed the gold gap to become large enough to fall behind, not dropping a game the entire tournament.
The second place team Acer get recognition for putting out an impressive showing this tournament, with great map presence and team synergy. If they continue to improve upon their current play they will gain the notoriety they deserve in the EU scene and the rest of the world.
FnaticRC
Millenium
SK Gaming
TeamLess
Acer
Curse.EU
Moscow 5
Eclypsia
The tournament used a double elimination format, where the losers of a match were knocked down to the Losers Bracket. The initial rounds were a best-of-one format, progressing into best-of-threes in the later stages. With the caliber of all teams present it would be inaccurate to call any of the results an upset, but many close games were produced. As the tournament progressed we began to see Moscow 5's inability to lose games no matter what the kill count was in the mid-game and why Acer is a team that should be on everyone's EU radar.
Round 1 Highlight Game:
Moscow 5's game against Eclypsia was a nailbiter for both teams. Eclypsia gaining a very early kill lead with a failed counter jungle by Moscow 5 meant that Moscow 5 had to come from behind to stay in the game, which they did through outstanding creep score - despite Eclypsia's ability to gain multiple lane kills and win early teamfights. Moscow 5's support GosuPepper favored the extra burst power of Deathfire Grasp instead of the conventional support items, a trend that would carry on throughout the tournament with favorable results in teamfights. Moscow 5's played with the late game, the close gold score being deceiving throughout the match. With champions like Jax and Shyvana, meant Moscow 5 were able to slowly but surely gain momentum into their win.
Round 2 Highlight Game:
Acer's first game against the Russian team Moscow 5 was a clash of this tournaments titans. Dar1en employed his bottom lane Yorick with an early blue. Acer responded with sending Alistar top with Kayle instead of the typical full lane swap, leaving Graves in a solo lane. Despite Acer gaining an early first blood as a result of their swap and leading off in even more lane kills. Moscow 5 kept ahead in creep score across all lanes, resulting in an even gold count despite lacking in kills. Moscow 5 continued their trend of playing for the late game, being much less aggressive than we've previously seen them be and taking the GP10 route. It seemed all was lost despite the closeness of the match when Moscow 5 gave away a free dragon and baron in under a minute to team Acer. Acer's inability to finish the game allowed Moscow 5 to outplay Acer in crucial teamfight that was timed with a baron spawn to gain back the equality and apply their lategame advantage to take the win in a very exciting and back and forth match.
Lower Bracket Final Highlight Game:
The game between FnaticRC and Acer started off fairly even with the first 4 kills being evenly distributed, but with far more assists for Acer making up most of the gold difference. Acer slowly took the kill advantage in the early game, forcing Kennen to roam as his lane was lost early on due to pressure from multiple ganks. The real midgame decider was the domination in the bottom lane from Acer, Graves having a hefty creep score and kill lead, making his burst detrimental. Acer's ability to control FnaticRC's position on the map meant they could take a fast baron to get even more ahead, Acer showcased their ability to manipulate FnaticRC's positioning in and out of teamfights. Their baron buff combined with their ability to split FnaticRC in crucial teamfights allowed Acer to push and take the win.
Grand Final Highlight Game:
Moscow 5 and Acer met again, this time in the finals of the tournament. The two teams were neck and neck, keeping even in kills and creep score throughout the early game. Moscow 5 adopted a much more aggressive style than they had in the earlier points in the tournament, in lane and through their ganks. As Moscow 5 slowly gained an advantage as the power of their lategame champions started to show through Jax and Kogmaw. Acer were unable to shut down Genja's Kogmaw throughout the whole game, which allowed all teamfights to go in Moscow 5's favor, resulting in a surrender from Acer and 1000 euros for the Russian team.
Moscow 5 went into the League of Champions as a favorite, and proved to the viewers why they were just that. Despite some shaky kill counts in Moscow 5's disfavor, they never allowed the gold gap to become large enough to fall behind, not dropping a game the entire tournament.
The second place team Acer get recognition for putting out an impressive showing this tournament, with great map presence and team synergy. If they continue to improve upon their current play they will gain the notoriety they deserve in the EU scene and the rest of the world.
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