Cloud9 gets crushed by G2 Esports to start Rift Rivals 2019
G2 Esports started Rift Rivals 2019 with a win.
The Mid-Season Invitational champions continue to dominate the international stage, kicking off the event with a convincing victory over Cloud9. The win kicked off what was a strong day one for the LEC side.
Prior to the event, the G2 players hinted that they would utilize unorthodox picks and strategies. They delivered on their promise and showed the flexibility of the squad with a role swap between top laner Martin “Wunder” Hansen and bottom laner Luka “Perkz” Perković.
By comparison Cloud9 played a standard game and went with Sona and Taric in the bottom lane. That composition hasn’t been effective against G2 in the past and that didn’t change here.
Wunder and Mihael “Mikyx” Mehle punished Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi and Tristan “Zeyzal” Stidam in the bottom lane. The rest of G2 followed suit and pushed the tempo of the game with extreme aggression across the map.
C9 tried and failed to keep up with G2’s pace. Jungler Robert “Blaber” Huang couldn’t impact any of the lanes while Eric “Licorice” Ritchie was doing little more than surviving.
G2 was quick to rotate, regroup, and split the map. Cloud9 had no answer to any move they made and things eventually reached the point where G2 were so far ahead they could do whatever they wanted with no risk of reprisal. 17 minutes into the game, G2 destroyed the top lane inhibitor and by 20 minutes they had a 15,000 gold lead.
Though the game was well out of reach, G2 refused to put Cloud9 out of their misery and spent several minutes seemingly toying with them. The European squad padded their kill total, with the end not coming until minions knocked down the Cloud9 nexus.
It was an excellent showing from G2 and one that hints that the LEC is positioned to dominate Rift Rivals. G2 will return on day two to face Team Liquid in a rematch of the MSI grand finals.
Cloud9 in playoffs with upset versus Team Liquid
LEC crushes LCS in Rift Rivals despite strong showing from Team Liquid
Team Liquid gets revenge on G2 Esports for MSI Finals at Rift Rivals 2019
Mikyx and G2 Esports stun TSM with unorthodox lineup at Rift Rivals
TSM edges Cloud9 in exciting semifinal series, heads to LCS final
Reigning OWL MVP JJoNaK gets special Zenyatta skin in his honor
Kold and Patrik talk lane swaps, win over TSM, the rise of the LEC
Maikelele looks for money on social media, gets NASA and Elon Musk
Pro CSGO player gets zero kills in a game as Virtus.pro flames out
Team Liquid team up with Marvel, reveal exclusive Avengers jerseys
LUCAS1 to MiBR, felps to Luminosity in Brazilian CSGO player swap
Fissure seemingly confirms 2-2-2 role lock coming to Overwatch League
Battle pass weekend sale brings levels and immortal treasures
Rap Rivals has NA and EU face off before Rift Rivals tournament
Riot Games partners with Nielsen to provide advanced sponsorship data
Fissure announces surprise retirement from professional Overwatch
Copenhagen Flames victorious as WINNERS League Season 2 concludes
OG, TNC, Keen gaming qualify for TI, one more spot still up for grabs
ana carries OG past Team Secret, upsetting top Dota Pro Circuit team