Team Liquid return to championship form against Na`Vi
Team Liquid took notched another title at the MegaFon Winter Clash without dropping a single game in the process.
The TI7 champions entered the event’s grand final undefeated with a 4-0 score in the group stage. Liquid won against Natus Vincere in the upper bracket final to secure their grand final slot and a one-game advantage.
Na`Vi eliminated PSG.LGD in a lower bracket finals upset to earn a rematch against Liquid in a best-of-five series.
The series started with a carry Dazzle being played by Lasse Aukusti "MATUMBAMAN" Urpalainen and a Brewmaster support for Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi. The unusual but trending picks would immediately pay off.
An early rotation from Kuroky resulted in a first blood on Na`Vi’s Idan "magicaL" Vardanian’s Outworld Devourer, who tried to use both a faerie fire and a healing salve to save himself before dying. This only compounded his early disadvantage, sending a ripple effect through the remainder of the game.
The first game ended decisively in 29 minutes after a rampage from Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi’s Phantom Lancer.
Already up 2-0 thanks to the upper bracket advantage, Liquid approached the deciding game with a similar strategy. The former champions dominated the game with a map blanketing Meepo, and used Keeper of the Light to counter Na`Vi’s Monkey King pick.
Although Na`Vi made great some rotations in the early game, Team Liquid was quick to respond to these attempts and was able to turn some of the ensuing team fights in their favor. Miracle’s Meepo had an early godlike streak and proved a severe threat to Na`Vi throughout the game.
Team Liquid took the last game and was hailed as the undefeated champion of the tournament. The team was rewarded $150,000 in cash, while Na`Vi took home $75,000 for their second-place finish.
Team Liquid fans will hope that the dominant performance is a harbinger of thanks to come during this latest Dota Pro Circuit season.
ana carries OG past Team Secret, upsetting top Dota Pro Circuit team
EG knock out China's best in Chongqing
EHOME heads to Chongqing Major after Bucharest win
Tigers Qualify for Major after DreamLeague win
Virtus.pro win Maincast Autumn Brawl
Cloud9, Overwatch, and Fortnite win at The Game Awards
Vancouver Titans complete new OWL team brandings
Newbee bench Moogy and Inflame after slow start
Virtus.pro, Fnatic among Chongqing Major qualifiers
South Korea considers legal action against boosting
Pajkatt replaces ana for reigning TI champions
Valve steps in to ban Kuku from Chongqing Major
Caps and Mikyx complete new G2 roster
Battle Royale mode coming to Counter-Strike
PUBG partners with Capcom for Resident Evil crossover
Echo Fox, CG complete roster swap with Huni, Rush, more
Valve rolls back some 7.20 changes with quick updates
FTC to investigate loot boxes in video games
KT Rolster hope BDD is the missing piece to their puzzle