Team Liquid eliminates Invictus Gaming- Semifinals StarLadder

Team Liquid eliminated Invictus Gaming in the first semifinal after 3 action packed games. They proceed to play TNC in the Grand Finals of StarLadder i-League Invitational Season 2.

The series was close, action packed and really interesting. The diversity in the picks show that the meta is still unresolved in 7.06. With stellar individual plays and chaotic team fights, the series certainly entertained the spectators. Team Liquid won the series 2-1 after 3 close games.

Game 1

Draft

Team Liquid

Invictus Gaming

First Game of the series was clutch all along, with IG securing a victory. Liquid drafted Outworld Devourer to punish OP’s Ember Spirit in the middle lane. XXs’s Enigma had a few great BlackHoles that turned the game, since Liquid’s squad was limited in relaible disables. The game went back and forth with the cores on both teams being farmed heavily.

During a contest for Roshan around 45 minutes into the game, Sven got caught on the wrong side of the river and died. Liquid with Aegis on Terrorblade, tried taking bottom barracks. A beautiful 3 man BlackHole from Enigma ensured that Liquid doesn’t get a sizable advantages. Liquid had to retreat as Sven bought back.

During the next Roshan fight at around 53 minutes, Liquid caught IG out of position and won the teamfight. Enigma died before he could cast his BlackHole. Liquid tried to take advantage of this, but this time without Aegis on Terrorblade. Enigma landed a massive BlackHole catching Terrorblade without buyback. IG went all in and took the throne taking advantage of this costly mistake from Liquid.

Game 2

Draft

Team Liquid

Invictus Gaming

From the draft it was evident that IG wanted to end the game early. IG capitalized on their early game power and gained a significant advantage. But one misstep, cost them the game. IG camped around Roshan waiting for Liquid to go in. But Liquid cleverly wrapped around them attacking the back line. Using their positioning as advantage, Liquid managed to wipe all the 5 heroes on IG.

Razor built Aghanims and Refresher to try and finish of the game once for all. But this proved to be a hard task against Tinker. Meanwhile, Matumbaman using his bear mowed down IG’s base securing them megacreeps.

IG were forced to go all in to end the game. But Liquid managed to get upper hand as they killed BurNIng twice. Meanwhile Matumbaman’s bear managed to kill the enemy throne, giving them no chance to stall the game any further.

Game 3

Draft

Team Liquid

Invictus Gaming

In the third game, Liquid drafted Miracle’s signature Invoker. As a response, IG picked good old Anti Mage for BurNIng. Liquid built a significant advantage thanks to the early game ganking combo of Tusk and GH special Pudge. They ran around the map picking up kills on the supports of IG.

Miracle managed to get a godlike streak 22 minutes in just by landing sunstrikes around the map. BurNIng despite having a lot of farm, had no way to recover against the early game advantage that Liquid built. Liquid started to take the high ground, meanwhile BurNIng started knocking on the Liquid’s base.

GH tp’d back to defend and wasted a lot of time preventing Anti Mage from getting back to his base. Finally when BurNIng reached his base, Miracle with superior positioning,landed a majestic combo on top of his head. This sealed the game, as Liquid took the series 2-1.

Stay tuned to DireDota for more coverage of the StarLadder i-League Invitational. Click here for our post Kiev Major shuffle Mega Thread.