Recap: CLG EU and NaJin Sword fight for a place in The Champions final eSports Central

The game started out rough for Counter Logic Gaming EU against NaJin Sword. The Korean team quickly got out to a 6 kill lead and a 50% gold lead by the 9 minute mark. The viewers of the game couldn't help but feel that CLG EU was out of this game. However, CLG had Froggen on Karthus and Yellowpete on Kog'Maw with Krepo on Nunu; the game wasn't over until the CLG nexus was destroyed. As the game drew on, it was obvious that the Europeans were closing the gap with the Korean team. After a few pick-offs by CLG, something magical happened around the dragon pit. CLG was going for dragon and SSong on Ahri attempted to steal it but overextended just a little bit which led to him being bursted down. CLG was able to do everything right to take 5 kills for 0 in that fight. They were able to protect Kog'Maw, Froggen was able to survive, Snoopeh on Malphite was able to pin down the NaJin Sword team at a critical moment, and Wickd on Irelia made the correct decision on saving Froggen from Graves. CLG would not let the lead from the ace slip away. They got 1 more ace before taking down the nexus of NaJin Sword.

The second game didn't fair too much better for NaJin Sword. Once again, the team went for a very aggressive early game but they were not able to get a big lead unlike last game. At one point in the early game CLG EU had 8 gold per 10 items while NaJin Sword had zero and eventually one at the 17 minute mark on Cain's Alistar. The obvious strategy for Sword was that they were going to be extremely aggressive with ganking but a wrench got thrown in that plan with an early kill in the CLG jungle on Watch and then a lane switch from CLG which put MakNooN on Yorick versus Yellowpete on Ezreal and Krepo on Nunu while Wickd was battling in the bottom lane much more successfully against PraY and Cain. A dragon fight around the 25 minute mark sealed the fate of NaJin Sword losing 4 people to 1 of CLG and it wasn't because of any huge mistake but because CLG's team was just more ahead and stronger by that period of time. The game was finally laid to bed when Cain Headbutt Pulverized into the all of CLG with the Guardian Angel down on Irelia but the fight going completely in the opposite direction with an ace for CLG EU.

The third game finally was the game for NaJin Sword. They were able to get an advantage and keep it. Part of this might have been the fact that they forced Froggen into an uncomfortable matchup choosing Kennen versus Ahri since Anivia, Karthus, and Gragas were banned. Sword was able to play to their strengths; catching people out of position and then taking objectives. PraY was able to get a score of 8/0/10 and had a full build that just absolutely wrecked CLG. The series went to 2 to 1 but still in CLG's favor.

The fourth game was very close for the early parts of the game. Overall, the creep score counts were low for the game with only 2 out of the 10 players breaking 100 cs by the 20 minute mark. NaJin Sword had better control of the early game since MakNooN was doing a better job in the 2v1 lane than Wickd. The game turned around, once again, at dragon. CLG was attempting to take dragon when Cain jumped in even though the fight was 5 to 4 in CLG's favor. CLG wins the fight, takes an 8 to 5 lead, and Yellowpete comes out with a score of 5/0/2. CLG started forming gank squads and got both their carries farmed through kills and not so much creep score. CLG was able to get a 25 minute ace that led to an inhibitor, the super minions and the chunking down of health from CLG's poke allowed the Europeans to take baron. The buff from baron allowed them to push the bottom lane, get a few more kills, and take down the nexus.

There is no doubt that in the CLG EU wins that Yellowpete and Froggen played the best League of Legends of their career. The fact that this was the semi-finals of a major tournament airing on Korean television and being watched online all around the world is enough to set even the people with nerves of steel on edge. It takes getting past those nerves to become a champion and CLG proved that they have what it takes but do they have what it takes to get past the best Korea has to offer. The pride of the western League of Legends scene will go on to face Azubu Frost in the finals, were it will be an intense battle. The matchup to watch will be Froggen versus RapidStar; both players are ridiculously skilled in their roles.

Unfortunately for NaJin Sword, they are unable to advance to the regionals and will not have a shot to play for the Season 2 World Championship in October. However, the team looks strong and will be a force in upcoming Korean competitions.

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