Na’Vi beats LGD 2-1 to make the final of the International 2012

Ukranian team Na’Vi has kept the hopes of Western fans alive by beating the previously undefeated LGD in a dramatic 2-1 showdown at The International 2012.

The three games, that took over two hours to play, saw Na’Vi slip behind at the start before emerging victorious in two tense but assured rounds. This was also the first time the two teams have met in The International 2012, and few people were likely expecting the encounter to end the way it did after such a shaky start from Na’Vi in the preliminary stages. Notably powerful play from the whole of Na’Vi, but notably from XBOCT and Dendi, saw LGD’s morale noticeably crumble and their aggression falter over the course of the best-of-three match.

At the end of the third game LGD, still reeling from their first defeat of the tournament, were almost sedentary, idly waiting around in their own base as it already prepared for their eventual demise.

Na’Vi, who get to take a break and prepare for the best-of-five finale later today, will likely sit back and watch LGD and iG square off. The two Chinese teams will now play the final of the Losers’ Bracket to determine who will play Na’Vi later today for the second spot in The International 2012 Championship Final and the chance to win $1,000,000. The loser of the game will finish third in the tournament.

While LGD’s Sylar managed to outplay Na’Vi with his Naga Siren in the first game, the Ukrainian team retained their composure for the second confrontation. Here LGD started off strong by claiming more kills than Na’Vi, but the Chinese team somehow failed to outfarm their opponents at every turn. The play swung decisively in favour of Na’Vi after they ambushed LGD as they attempted Roshan, wiping out the team but losing the Aegis after Sylar’s Naga Siren unleashed her ultimate. A seemingly enraged Na’Vi went on the warpath, knocking down Sylar twice and beginning an unstoppable march on the base defences of the Chinese team, eventually forcing them to concede their first defeat of the entire tournament.

Na’Vi stayed strong after breaking LGD’s 18-win streak, despite being seemingly counter-picked during the start of the third match. Sylar once again went Naga Siren, Dendi continued to dominate with Rubick, but Na’Vi hard carry XBOCT was denied the chance to snatch up Anti-Mage or Morphling. Eventually the team settled on Faceless Void, an unpredictable pick that quickly went Na’Vi’s way as the team remained ahead in both gold and experience for the duration of the 50 minute concluding bout.

Replays of the match can be found on The International site.