TheirwinoverFnaticOrzsentSelectiveQueuersItsmecasper(akaGumbot),Yogz,andWojoupagainstInflame,Carekoala,andPaperkatofNihilumPlasmaintheGrandFinalsforaEuropevs.Americashowdown.BothteamsplayedtheirexpectedcompsofWLDbutSelectiveQueuershadtheirworkcutoutforthemastheyneededtobeatNihilumintwoseries.Unfortunately,despitegoingup2-0withaggressiveplay,Nihilumfoundtheirgrooveandplayedflawlesslytowinthreematchesinarowandtakehome$75,000,thebiggestpotinthehistoryofprofessionalArenacompetition.
Inanexhibitionmatch,thenewlycrownedChampionsshowedtheirdominanceastheybeatChina'stopteamWorldElite,whorananRMP(Rogue,Mage,Priest)compthroughthreematches.Inabitofshowmanshipandflair,NihilumtoyedwithWorldEliteusingthreedifferentcomps,includingdoublewarriorcleave.TheChineseteamneverposedathreattothechampions,owingperhapstolackofprofessionalgamingexperienceontheworldstage.AlaterexhibitionmatchwillpitNihilumagainstBlizzardemployees.
SelectiveQueuersgotthematch-uptheywishedfor.Sortof.Whenaskedinapost-matchinterviewwhotheywantedtofightnextafterbeatingKorea'sCouncilofMages,thetriosaidtheywerelookingforwardtoarematchwithNihilumPlasmaandhopefullysetupanall-AmericanGrandFinals.Therematchwasgranted,butnotinthewaytheteamexpectedasNihilumupsetthefavoredFnaticOrz,leavingthetwoAmericanteamstofightforaslotintheGrandFinals.ThecelebratedteamofHafu,Glick,andRhaegynwereoutclassed,outmatched,andeventuallyupsetinwell-playedmirrormatchesbetweentwoofthebestWLD(Warrior,Warlock,Druid)teamsintheworld.ManyobserversnotedthattheintensepressureontheDruidsexposedHafu'sweaknessassheneededmorepeelingfromherteammatesthanWojofromSelectiveQueuers.ThisallowedWojo'steammatestobemoreontheoffensiveandmakeeasiertargetswapsthroughoutthematch.AlthoughGlickandRhaegynarearguablythebestpeelersinthegame,beingonthedefensiveformostofthematchesresultedintheNorthAmericanchampionsgettingoustedfromthetournament3matchesto2.
Tags:Worldofwarcraft