Team Mainland China take 2-0 win over Team NA to secure their place in the finals
China will face off against the Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau in an all Chinese derby this evening
The Coliseum was only half-full again this morning; a disappointment, considering the hype around the match-up between China and NA. China received a warm welcome and cheers from the crowd, but it was obvious the real stars of the show were Team NA. The crowd went wild as each of Leagues old school heroes were introduced.
Before the match, Misaya said he looked forward to playing against Team NA’s strongest previous meta. NA were never expected to win going into the match, though. EU, China and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau had all predicated a resounding defeat for Team NA.
Pride and history were on the line, but the Americans went way back with their draft and it was obvious they aimed to put on a good show. Game one saw the most entertaining picks of the match with TheOddOne on Cho’gath and HotShotGG with Garen.
“I had an agreement with Caomei to have a 1v1,” HotshotGG said of his Garen pick. “But that quickly turned into a 1v2. That felt pretty bad,” he laughed. “But I had fun playing him, and I think that’s the first time anyone’s played Garen in a competitive match.”
NA’s counter-rotations to bot lane were on-point throughout the match, and they put up a great fight in game two, but ultimately the Chinese, many still recently playing on current meta, and living up to their reputation for aggressive play, were just too much for them.
On who they would be rooting for in the China v THM final, NA’s loyalties were split. HotshotGG took a more practical view.