Game Changers Championship Day 3 Recap

As the third day of the Game Changers Championship drew to a close, we unfortunately had to say goodbye to two teams as they were eliminated from tournament contention.

Team Liquid v Shopify Rebellion (TL 2–1)

Before the beginning of the two matches originally scheduled for the third day of the tournament, Shopify Rebellion and Team Liquid faced off, as their match originally scheduled for the third slot on day two was rescheduled, as the local restrictions would not allow them to finish the match if it ran past a certain time.

The first map in this series would be Fracture, Team Liquid’s pick. Although it was their opponent’s pick, Shopify Rebellion started strong, with a 4–1 lead behind crazy plays from bENITA, flowerful, and sonder. Team Liquid was able to tie the map up at four rounds apiece, but Shopify was able to retake the lead and end the half up 7–5. Team Liquid was able to string four rounds in a row through halftime and take the lead 8–7. The teams would go back and forth, with Shopify retaking the lead 9–8, then Liquid taking it back 10–9. Shopify would make one final push, retaking the lead and closing out the map 13–10.

The next map in the series would be Bind, a map historically strong for Shopify Rebellion, and their pick in the series. Shopify ended the first half up 7–5, behind a 15/6 performance from flowerful. In the second half, they would reach map point up 12–10. The second to last round of regulation came down to a 1v2 with only flowerful alive on the side of Shopify Rebellion. She was able to dispatch the first opponent, who was able to use their Skye ult. As flowerful began to aim at the final opponent, the Skye ult got in her way, absorbing the damage from her shots and the opponent was able to win the round for Team Liquid. This play proved to have taken much of the momentum from Shopify Rebellion, as they lost the first two rounds in overtime, losing the map 16–14.

The final map in the series was Icebox, with Shopify coming off a dominant showing against Guild in their previous series. However, Team Liquid did not let their chance pass, starting the map with a 8–4 lead. Shopify struggled to put rounds on the board in the second half, as Liquid would close out the map 13–7.

Team Liquid advances to the upper final against G2 Gozen, while Shopify Rebellion moves to the lower bracket against X10 Sapphire.

X10 Sapphire v KRU Fem (X10 2–1)

The first elimination match would take place between X10 Sapphire and KRU Fem. They would open their series on Breeze, with KRU jumping out to an early 7–1 lead. X10 would rally towards the end of the half, cutting the deficit to 8–4 in KRU’s favor. X10 would win the first three rounds in the second half, but KRU would counter with three of their own. X10 would win two more, but KRU would win another two to close out the map 13–9.

The series would then move to Haven. The map would open 3–3 before X10 would catch fire, winning five out of the last six rounds in the half to go up 8–4 at the switch. Coming out of the halftime break, X10 would continue their hot streak, winning another five rounds and only losing two, closing out the map 13–6 to tie the series.

The decider in the series would be Fracture, with X10 shifting Muffyn from duelist to sentinel and Babytz from sentinel to duelist. The composition changes would prove successful, as X10 would start 7–1, although they closed the half up 8–4. After the halftime switch, they would win five out of the seven rounds to close the map 13–6, sending KRU home.

X10 Sapphire advances in the lower bracket to face Shopify Rebellion.

Guild X v FENNEL HOTELAVA (GLD 2–0)

The second elimination match of the day would pit fan favorite FENNEL HOTELAVA against EMEA first seed Guild X. Guild would open the first map, Pearl, 9–3, although it was FENNEL’s pick. Klaudia would record 15 kills in the first half. The second half would end as quickly as it began, with Guild X securing the first four rounds to close the map out with a score of 13–3.

The second map, Haven would continue Guild’s success, as they would jump out to an early 5–1 lead, eventually ending the half up 8–4. Guild X would continue even more success in the second half, winning five rounds and only losing one. The second map would go in favor of Guild X, 13–5. Guild would win the series 2–0, sending FENNEL home, although they left a big impression on the international crowd.

Guild X advances to the next round of the lower bracket against Cloud9 White, setting up the third NA v EU matchup in the tournament.

Looking Ahead

There are three matches tomorrow, beginning at 4 am pst with Shopify Rebellion vs X10 Sapphire. Following that match, Cloud9 White and Guild X will face off. Wrapping up the day will be G2 Gozen and Team Liquid with a spot in the grand finals on the line.