The reigning champion Fly100% failed to qualify for the quarter finals in NiceGameTV War3League yesterday. After a good start against Shy, Fly100% then fell apart and was defeated by Sky and Space. Advancing instead were Sky and Space.
The hopes were high on the Chinese Orc player. Not only the biggest star in Mousesports, but also holding the championship title after last season's stunning grand final against Grubby.
In Fly100%'s first game of this season, he went up against the Night Elf player Shy from fnatic. The game was played out on Melting Valley, where Fly100%'s Blademaster wreaked havoc in the Night Elf base. Fly100% was able to stall Shy's ancient of wind construction, and gained some time. Popping out a Tauren Chieftain as second hero, and an expansion, Fly100% had clearly the upper hand. The game eventually ended up in a base-razing run, where Fly100%'s raiders did the job a lot quicker than Shy's forces.
In the other side of the brackets, World Elite captain Sky went up against Space on Twisted Meadows. Sky opts for an early expansion, but Space counters it well with early ghouls, fiends and mercenaries. Sky manages to push back the pressure on the expansion, even when Space adds a Naga Sea Witch alongside his Death Knight to try and take it down. Similar to the previous game, another base-razing contest begins. Space takes down Sky's citadel first, and steals the gold mine by haunting it. In the end, Sky mass expands and has a formidable Human hero trio, which is too much for Space to handle. And after losing his Death Knight, Space types out.
Sky, on a roll, manages to defeat his compatriot Fly100% in the upper bracket final, played out on Lost Temple. Sky qualifies for the quarter finals, while the reigning champion will have one last chance against the winner between Shy and Space.
Fourth game, played on Centaur Grove, was do-or-die for both of the Koreans from fnatic. Space went for the gargoyle strategy, which Shy tried to counter with dryads. Shy could have kept it cool with an expansion up, but got too aggressive and fought a needless battle near the fountain, which cost him the game.
Last chance saloon for Fly. On Snow Drop, Fly100% went for wind riders and Space had a force based on crypt fiends. The Chinese looked good in the start, harassing Space's base well in the beginning. And much thanks to the good items, having two belts of giant strength, the Blademaster seemed a too tough nut to crack. But Space shows proof of his exceptional micromanagement, and slays the Blademaster a total of 4(!) times. After numerous killings, Fly100% feels the need to call this game over, and throws in a GG.
mouz.Fly100%> fnatic.Shy@ Melting Valley
WE.Pepsi.Sky> fnatic.Space@ Twisted Meadows
WE.Pepsi.Sky> mouz.Fly100%@ Lost Temple
fnatic.Space> fnatic.Shy@ Centaur Grove
fnatic.Space> mouz.Fly100%@ Snow Drop
