FunPlus Phoenix is headed to the 2019 League of Legends World Championship finals after knocking out defending champion Invictus Gaming.
The clash between LPL giants didn’t disappoint. The four-games series was one of the bloodiest of the tournament, averaging one kill per minute.
IG and FunPlus are two of the LPL’s most recognizable brands and yet the teams couldn’t be more different. IG relies on strong individual efforts from its players, while FunPlus is all about teamwork and making personal sacrifices for the benefit of the collective.
In true LPL fashion, the games were fast-paced with the teams prioritizing fights over everything else.
FunPlus opted for early roams. Wherever Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang went, the rest of the team followed. On more than one occasion, the IG players found themselves outnumbered. FunPlus’ strategy forced IG to group and go blow for blow.
IG opted for risky plays, a style that is common in the LPL. The players were confident in their ability to outplay the enemy and went all-in without hesitation. That blind confidence was punished the majority of the time, but IG continued to try and make plays through brute force.
The outstanding pick of the day was Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang taking Nautilus. The mid laner locked the champion in three times in a row and made it work every single game.
Nautilus as a support champion provides engaging tools and a reliable front liner in team fights. Those traits fit in perfectly with FunPlus’ style since the team is constantly working together and doesn’t depend on a single player to win. Though Doinb isn’t the first player to use Nautilus in the mid lane, it is likely to be vogue once again after fading from popularity in the LPL and LCK.
IG is its own worst enemy and it showed throughout the series. The players took unnecessary risks, constantly walking into the fog of war without back up. While those lapses in concentration ended their run in the event, IG still exceded expectations in many ways.
FunPlus is heading to Paris where they will face the winner between SK Telecom T1Â and G2 Esports.
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