TL;DR
- Team Liquid overcame an initial loss to win the series 3-1 against 100 Thieves
- The victory secured Liquid’s spot in both the NA LCS finals and the World Championship
- Jungler Xmithie demonstrated why he’s considered North America’s best
- 100 Thieves made a surprising roster change that impacted their performance
- The championship match will feature Liquid defending their title against Cloud9
Team Liquid emerged victorious in a crucial NA LCS semifinal matchup against 100 Thieves, securing their position in the summer split championship game.
This high-pressure contest carried enormous consequences for both squads, with the winning organization earning dual qualification for the domestic finals and the prestigious League of Legends World Championship tournament.
Before the series began, 100 Thieves delivered a strategic surprise by substituting academy AD carry Richard “Rikara” Samuel Oh for their regular starter Cody “Cody Sun” Sun, a decision that significantly influenced the dynamic of the match.
The opening game showcased 100 Thieves’ aggressive approach, with jungler Andy “AnDa” Hoang making impactful early moves across Summoner’s Rift. Partnering effectively with top laner Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho, AnDa successfully contained Jake “Xmithie” Puchero’s influence while neutralizing Team Liquid’s bottom lane pressure.
After securing two baron buffs and stealing an elder dragon, 100 Thieves claimed the first victory in the best-of-five series.
Team Liquid adjusted their strategy dramatically in game two, establishing lane dominance across all three positions. The match unfolded at a more measured tempo than the initial encounter, perfectly aligning with Liquid’s strategic composition designed for extended engagements.
Liquid capitalized on every positional error made by 100 Thieves support Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black, leveraging the veteran player’s uncharacteristic performance struggles to their advantage. The decisive engagement began with mid laner Eugene “Pobelter” Park eliminating Aphromoo, followed by a team wipe that secured the equalizing victory.
In the pivotal fourth game, Team Liquid demonstrated superior map movement and objective control, with Xmithie exhibiting increased assertiveness in the jungle. Despite 100 Thieves’ attempts to contest neutral objectives, Liquid consistently maintained strategic superiority and positioning advantages.
After obtaining a crucial baron power-up, Liquid initiated their final push toward victory. 100 Thieves attempted to create engagement opportunities by forcing confrontations against the advancing opponents, but their efforts proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
Despite an exceptional individual performance from Ssumday in game four, his efforts couldn’t reverse the series momentum. Xmithie’s performance validated analysts’ assessments of him as North America’s premier jungler, consistently forcing AnDa into reactive positioning. Once again, Team Liquid’s draft strategy proved superior, featuring a scaling-oriented composition that effectively capitalized on early advantages established across multiple lanes.
At the 28-minute mark, Team Liquid executed a flawless team fight resulting in a complete ace, cementing their advancement to the NA LCS summer split championship match.
The NA LCS competition resumes on September 8 with the third-place decider between TSM and 100 Thieves. The championship final is scheduled for September 9 at Oakland’s Oracle Arena, where Team Liquid will attempt to retain their title against longtime rivals Cloud9.
Action Checklist
- Review Team Liquid’s draft strategies in scaling compositions
- Analyze Xmithie’s jungle pathing and early game influence
- Study objective control techniques from both teams’ gameplay
- Compare roster decision impacts between regular and academy players
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Team Liquid looking to defend NA LCS title in Oakland Team Liquid defeats 100 Thieves in NA LCS semifinals, advances to championship match against Cloud9