TI8: Day 1 and 2 of The Group Stage
Image by Valve
After a whirlwind of 80 games in 2 days, it’s not too early to jump to conclusions. Evil Geniuses and VGJ.Storm unexpectedly dominate their groups, while OG teeters on bottoming out of the groups. If you haven’t had time to catch up on all the games, here our picks on what matches to watch.
PSG.LGD vs. Liquid, Game 1
LGD.fy gets the Echoslam, but it's not enough to lockdown Miracle as he rumbles to a triple killThis game was seen as a preview of the Grand Finals between the two favored teams of the tournament. That might have been a bit presumptive, however, considering how the group stages have settled after two days. Nonetheless, this was a hectic game, with a rampaging Huskar in Miracle's hands, and a mega creep push to win it all in the end.
OG vs. Liquid, Game 1
There are only a few players in this tournament where Invoker is an acceptable pick, and Miracle here shows why he's one of them. He had a rough start, getting picked off a few times in the early game, but managed to stabilize later. This game was tense going back and forth and its a must watch, at least for the teams' regional rivalry.
IG vs. EG, Game 2
Four games in to TI8, four Wraith King picks. Since then, he's been played in every role from safe lane to support. So far, this game is EG's only loss of the group stage. All it took was a 20-2 performance from Agressif's Gyro and a 5-0 midgame team fight sweep to secure the game.
Fnatic vs. Mineski, Game 1
The moment when a two rax lead doesn't seem enough anymoreNot all swing and comeback victories are worth highlighting, because if we did then we'd have to put up all of Fnatic's matches. Fnatic could have had a 2-0 sweep over Liquid in Day 1, as they could have over Mineski today. With a near 30k gold advantage and a two rax lead, it's worth to watch the series of events that threw it all away. One Vengeful Spirit swap and a few errant buybacks notches another baffling game by an EE team.
paiN Gaming vs. TNC, Game 1
paiN.Tavo breaks out the Mask of Madness, MKB build on Winter Wyvern
This game had an Ethereal Blade on CM and Mask of Madness, MKB, Silver Edge on Winter Wyvern. This game should get more notice if it's to get any traction in pub builds.
OG vs. Evil Geniuses, Game 2
These two teams have intertwined histories and rosters, making the whole series a must see, even if it ended a bit one sided. Fly and s4 show up against their former team, and SuMa1l's Storm Spirit is always a treat to watch.
paiN Gaming vs. Team Secret, Game 2
Watch it for the w33voker and the Sunstrike kills, especially his fountain snipe on MidOne's Drow that got his whole team troll tipping.
Virtus.Pro vs. TNC
The middle of the pack in Group B is going to be brutal as we approach the final two days of the Group Stage. Every game matters, and it can be the difference from an upper bracket finish or the edge of elimination. So far, VP has looked unexpectedly shaky, compared to their dominance this season. And TNC has bloomed in the group stages. In a turn of events, the best East teams after two days are not from China.
My boi rtz and sumail are on fire.
EG is the new OG
Eg vs liquid tommorow, hype
EG HYPEEEEEE
first too short (mini
EG haters Sobayed
Liquid really blew EG to smithereens yesterday, they felt like teams on completely different level.
Now THAT is what was unexpected, instead of some epic 1-1 showdown.
rtz = god
Sumail = god
Crit = probably the MVP of EG so far