Let’s do a somewhat quick 2019 LCS Summer Split semifinals recap in order to go over last week’s spectacular Best of 5s. Now, one could argue that the most recent North American Summer Split wasn’t particularly exciting. Sure, there were exhilarating moments from time to time, but in the end, they were too few and far between to actually create any semblance of hype. Teams were unable to maintain a high enough level of play and were mostly taking wild swings in the dark and hoping for the best.

But as the playoffs came around, all of that changed — for the better. As a result, we’ve just had two phenomenal semifinal clashes. So let’s dive a bit deeper and go over the chaos that transpired in our 2019 LCS Summer Split semifinals recap!

Counter Logic Gaming vs. Cloud9

It was hard not to get hyped about this match-up. Perhaps that’s even an understatement. Just the thought of these two perennial LCS giants clashing makes one’s mouth water, and it doesn’t even matter whether they’re deemed as top-tier contenders or not. Somehow, some way, these two titans always put on a good show whenever they clash.

And the fact that they were already fighting against each other for second place in the regular portion of the split meant they were at least somewhat even in regards to skill and overall potential. All signs were pointing towards one heck of a fight.

In reality, however, it was about as one-sided as possible.

Cloud9 started game one with a fantastic team comp consisting of Aatrox, Gragas, Qiyana along with a safe bottom lane duo. They drafted both late game insurance as well as more than enough engage and power. These comfort picks (which also happen to be highly contested meta picks) eventually allowed them to take full control. The early game was somewhat even, but it felt like Cloud9 were the ones calling the shots and were just waiting for the perfect moment to engage and seal the deal. They had leads across the map and were able to snowball without any risk.

The lead they accrued soon became insurmountable, which meant Counter Logic Gaming couldn’t do much, if anything at all. Cloud9 made no mistakes, they were perfect in their execution and in the end, it really didn’t look like a clash between the second and third best teams in the region.

Game two was basically exactly the same. Cloud9’s solo laners were immediately able to impose their will and get two quick solo kills mere minutes after spawning. Their individual mechanical prowess immediately set the pace of the game. Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer was able to lock down three quick kills before the ten-minute mark, which was a sign of things to come. Individually speaking, Cloud9 played out of their minds. Counter Logic Gaming definitely fought back, but they lacked the strength and grit in order to compete at the highest possible level. Cloud9 were in perfect sync and showed no signs of stopping. They were spotless and didn’t give Counter Logic Gaming any openings.

So coming into the third game, you’d be forgiven if you thought we were on the brink of a quick, one-sided shellacking. With their backs against the wall, Counter Logic Gaming decided to draft as much damage as they could, in an attempt to actually fight back for once. But as the game progressed, it simply wasn’t enough — yet again. Cloud9 created a huge gold lead fairly quickly and were once again able to flex over their counterparts with relative ease. They were faster, more aggressive and proactive on the map, and they made all the right calls to secure a fast and easy win.

Until they didn’t, that is. With a ten thousand gold lead behind their belts, Cloud9 stopped dictating the pace of the game which allowed Counter Logic Gaming to fight back. They made multiple egregious errors (both individually as well as a five-man unit) which gave their opponents a window of opportunity — and they seized it. Counter Logic Gaming literally pulled off a miracle turnaround with no Nexus turrets behind them thanks to some exceptional team fighting and individual playmaking. The fact that they fought back from such a huge deficit was nothing short of spectacular.

And for a moment, it felt like we were in for a series. A series where both teams stood a chance.

Game four was filled with a ton of action. It was a back-and-forth affair with a lot of skirmishing and unnervingly close team fights. For a good while, however, it seemed like Counter Logic Gaming had full control of the game. They were much cleaner (and more dominant) whenever a team fight broke out and were making the right proactive moves in order to tie the series and force the fifth deciding game. But once again, in those hectic split-second moments where a single play can turn things around, Cloud9 were able to find their opening.

With a metric ton of engage in their team comp (Kled, Gragas, Sivir, Rakan), they were able to flank Counter Logic Gaming in spectacular fashion and get back into the game. A phenomenal clean ace at the forty-seven-minute mark sealed the deal and allowed them to close the game out. Everyone played their part, but it was Nisqy once again who put the team on his back and, thanks to his incredible Sylas play, dish out immense amounts of damage at the most important moments of the game.

It was a phenomenal finish to a somewhat lackluster series. That said, the fashion in which it played out immediately got everyone hyped for the upcoming finals. Cloud9 were in peak form and were performing out of their minds. A question immediately arose — could they finally challenge Liquid for the LCS throne?

The second semifinal clash was not particularly exciting on paper, seeing how no one actually gave Clutch Gaming much of a chance. But against all odds, the perennial underdogs were once again able to perform above expectations and blow everyone away. Once Team Liquid and Clutch Gaming stepped foot on stage, we were greeted with some of the best moments this split had to offer.

Team Liquid vs. Clutch Gaming

Next stop in our LCS Summer Split semifinals recap, Liquid vs Clutch!

The reigning, defending champs against a challenger no one gave much thought coming into the Summer Split. How could this series end in any other way than a somewhat swift 3-0 for Liquid? Everyone’s thoughts and predictions quickly went out the window as both teams spawned on the Rift.

Game one was a swift display of Liquid’s power and overall potential. Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen needed just five minutes in order to secure three kills on his staple Akali. Ten minutes in, he had a full Hextech Gunblade and was roaming all over the map whenever he saw fit. Liquid were better in every regard and it showed. While Clutch did fight back to the best of their ability, it simply wasn’t enough.

Game two, however, was a completely different story. Clutch Gaming took Qiyana for Tanner “Damonte” Damonte along with Leona for Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme, and were able to dictate the pace of the game from the very get-go. While their draft wasn’t that much better than Liquid’s, their execution and early play definitely was. They used all of their tools perfectly and were able to quickly snowball their leads through stellar team fighting across the map.

Liquid adapted as best they could for game three by banning both Qiyana as well as Gragas. They entered the game with a chip on their shoulder and it showed almost immediately. Liquid as a whole didn’t need much time before completely obliterating their opponents in rather one-sided fashion.

But Clutch Gaming wasn’t about to go down without a fight. Not even close. They drafted comfort picks and decided to skirmish from the very beginning. This was, without a doubt, their best and most awe-inspiring game by far. They looked like a world-class team — in sync, aggressive, commanding, and always willing to follow through on any play, regardless of how impossible it seemed. It was a team effort, and they played out of their minds. It was a spectacular display of individual skill, team cohesion, as well as champion mastery. They made few mistakes and seeing how they opted for a fairly simple team comp, they didn’t need to think much when it came to execution. They had fantastic champions and more than enough mechanical prowess to back up any engage or ill-advised play.

In the end, it was Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon’s incredible Rumble play that sealed the deal and tied the series.

It was only fitting to have a fifth game for the ages; a clash of seismic proportions with everything on the line. Had Clutch Gaming won, they would’ve pulled off what could be deemed as the biggest upset in LCS history.

But fate had other plans.

After Team Liquid locked in the dreaded (and rightfully despised) Sona Taric bottom lane, we knew how the series would end. When piloted correctly, it is downright disgusting, and Clutch Gaming simply didn’t have the right tools in order to fight back. It was a “by the book” type of game, with Liquid landing safe poke until they accrued an insurmountable lead.

In the end, it was a somewhat underwhelming conclusion to a spectacular Best of 5. That said, the fact that Team Liquid opted for a Sona Taric bottom lane goes to show just how much they struggled and how Clutch Gaming really pushed them to their limits.

We all wanted to see Liquid challenged, but no one thought they would be on the brink of defeat — against Clutch Gaming, of all teams. Regardless, by reaching their fourth consecutive LCS finals they’ll clash against a contender of seemingly equal strength and potential: Cloud9. To say that this is a hype match-up would truly be an understatement.

That’s it for our 2019 LCS Summer Split semifinals recap! Tune in this Sunday to see whether Liquid will succeed at adding yet another trophy to their collection, or if Cloud9 will finally be able to reclaim their long-lost throne. Finally, there’s a fairly interesting third-place clash between Clutch Gaming and Counter Logic Gaming happening on Saturday as well.