League of Legends World Championship 2015 scores: SKTelecom T1 sweeps ahq, advances to semifinals

After an exciting first day of quarterfinals action at the League of Legends World Championships, Friday saw what was expected to see a lopsided series. Korean champions SKTelecom T1, considered by many to be the best team in the world, faced off against Taiwanese champions ahq e-Sports Club at Wembley Arena in London.

The two teams faced off at the Mid-Season Invitational, with SKT picking up the win. It was close, however: ahq held the gold lead at the end of the game, and it was one of the toughest matchups all tournament for SKT. The Korean champions specifically had a hard time with ahq AD Carry AN, who played Sivir (10/4/7) and mid laner Westdoor, who pulled out the surprising Cho’Gath pick (5/2/8).

SKT pulled off the expected sweep, with a convincing first two games before an abrupt win in a close Game 3. The Korean champions will now face European runners-up Origen, one of the surprise teams of the tournament so far, in the semifinal round next week.

SKT 11-5, 34:14

Bans: Jinx, Fizz, Mordekaiser; Azir, Gangplank, Ryze

ahq was able to pressure SKT in the side lanes early, nearly killing Bang and Wolf in the bottom lane, but Bengi executed a perfect dive to turn the tide around and land a double kill for Bang. ahq picked up a pair of kills (including one on Bang, ruining his KDA) to tie it up, showing the same level of spirit that kept this game close last time.

SKT picked up a pair of kills bottom lane, including Faker’s first of the series. ahq responded with a 2-1 fight at Dragon, but Bang was able to pick off Westdoor and Mountain for another two kills. ahq kept things contested, but SKT was able to slowly pull away, taking a 32-minute Baron and two kills in the follow-up. Per usual, SKT was able to turn that Baron into a swift end of the game, taking a 1-0 series lead.

SKT 20-4, 27:27

Bans: Azir, Lulu, Rek’Sai; Mordekaiser, Gangplank, Jinx

A poorly executed turret dive by ahq resulted in Faker teleporting in and taking out Ziv for first blood, leaving ahq empty-handed. Mountain responded with a double-kill under the same tower, negating SKT’s early advantage. Mountain was caught out of position by Wolf and Bang, causing Westdoor to quickly teleport down bottom lane to try and save him. It didn’t work: SKT picked up both kills and took the gold lead back.

From there, SKT turned the dial up to 11. The double TP + Abyssal Voyage combination allowed SKT to roam around the map picking off ahq members at will. Like the first game, SKT took a Baron once its lead was firmly established (this time at 21 minutes). SKT wasn’t able to instantly end the game this time, but the buff helped extend the lead beyond 10k gold.

SKT marched into the base a few minutes later, even killing multiple ahq players on their own fountain, taking the second game convincingly.

SKT 18-12, 43:30

Bans: Jinx, Diana, Mordekaiser; Azir, Gangplank, Lulu

Another game, another early gank bottom for SKT earned First Blood (this time for Bang). With SKT up 2-0, Westdoor was able to make a play on his signature Fizz, diving Faker under the tower and taking the solo kill. SKT perfectly executed a tower dive onto AN, utilizing Tahm Kench’s kit to its fullest capabilities to help Bang survive and do as much damage as possible.

Down 5-1, ahq began to make a bit of a comeback. Westdoor took out Faker again with the help of Mountain, while Ziv killed MaRin 1 vs 1. Westdoor took out Faker 1 vs. 1 again a few minutes later, giving ahq the gold lead.

After the teams traded picks, a big team fight erupted in SKT’s favor, giving the Korean side a 12-7 advantage. ahq responded with three unanswered kills to take the gold lead back and Dragon 2. At 40 minutes, the two teams split 0-4-1, with both top laners in the bottom lane and all four other players near Baron. Ziv managed to kill MaRin in a close solo fight, allowing ahq the space to pick up Dragon 4.

ahq went for an unwise Baron immediately after, and Bang picked up a double kill to force them out of the pit. The fight ended 4-0 for SKT, completely undoing all of ahq’s progress and allowing SKT to surprisingly end the game.