H2k Gaming and Ninjas in Pyjamas put on
an amazing show in London during the EU CS Summer 1 finals, but with the tough road that each of them faces in the Summer 2, seeing these two teams in the finals again is anything but guaranteed. If we’re to have a rematch of last year, H2k and NiP will have to take down the challenging GG Call Nash and Unicorns of Love respectively in this week’s games.
H2k Gaming vs. GG Call Nash
When: Thursday, July 10, 1 p.m. PDT / 10:00 p.m. CEST (Immediately followings the EU LCS.)
H2k Gaming forged an impressive reputation for themselves in the EU CS Summer 1 by dropping only a single game throughout the Challenger Series and completely dismantling Ninjas in Pyjamas in the Finals. If they continue on their current path, they have a real chance of breaking into the LCS.
But GG Call Nash stand in H2k’s way, and they are no small threat. GG Call Nash are currently 1st in Ranked 5v5s, a position not easily won. Oddly, for a team sitting atop the standings, they don’t possess a major reputation, and that could actually work in their favor. H2k have been in the spotlight for a long time now, and GG Call Nash have the upper hand when it comes to information on their opponents.
In the Summer 1, H2k rarely strayed from an early-aggression style, with their
only loss to Lublin Shore coming when they failed to get things rolling in the first few minutes of the match. GG Call Nash could take advantage of this, playing conservatively early on and removing opportunities for H2k’s jungler Jonas “Trashy” Andersen to gank - something he’s rather fond of doing early on.
H2k could win without shaking up their traditional strategy; after all, it’s worked for them so far against other talented teams. But if GG Call Nash
do have something prepared for the early-game aggression, then H2k will have to adapt or face possible the possibility elimination earlier than expected.
Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Unicorns of Love
When: Friday, July 11, 1 p.m. PDT / 10:00 p.m. CEST (Immediately following the EU LCS.)
Ninjas in Pyjamas has some redeeming to do in the eyes of their fans. The team struggled in the Summer 1 as roster changes rocked the team on nearly a weekly basis. Despite the shakeups, NIP still made it to the Finals, but many expected them to win the whole thing and saw H2k’s triumph as an “upset.”
Those changes may not all be negative, however, as Alexey “Alex Ich” Ichetovkin has returned to the mid lane, a position he held with Gambit for multiple seasons. This switch could elevate Alex Ich into the anchor for NiP many hoped he would be, giving the team a consistent threat to rally behind.
Their first test will come from Unicorns of Love, who are anything but “loving” foes. As veterans of the Challenger scene and the third highest ranked team in Ranked 5v5s, they have proven to be a constant threat, fighting their way through the play-in in both the Summer 1 and Summer 2 series.
NiP faced Unicorns of Love once before, defeating them 2-0 in the Summer 1 quarter finals. But that was before Alfonso Aguirre “Mithy” Rodriguez and Erlend Våtevik “Nukeduck” Holm were removed from the roster. With NiP looking substantially different from the teams’ last meeting, it’s tough to predict how things will play out this time around. Rest assured, though, Unicorns of Love won’t have forgotten it was NiP who sent them home so early last time and will look to return the favor.
NiP have always had the potential to do big things in the Challenger Series and possibly beyond, and they have the advantage coming into this series. But if Unicorns of Love can pull off an upset they’re looking for, it would raise their stature from a merely recognizable team into a dangerous and respected one, and judging from the tenacity they’ve shown so far, an “upset” could be more likely than some believe.
Gilean spends most days writing about eSports and occasionally shouting about them. You can follow him @HHGilean
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