Game of the Day: Giants Gaming versus Unicorns of Love (EU LCS Spring Split - Week 5 Day 2)

By Helmight

            The Unicorns of Love are regarded as one of the best teams in the European LCS, and by far one of the most popular. Their matchup against the struggling Giants Gaming today should have been a clean sweep, especially after banning out Werlyb’s beloved Jax. However, the Giants were merely sleeping up until now. Thanks to an outstanding performance by Adryh and PePiiNeRO, the Giants managed to crush the Unicorns underfoot and close out a solid 2-0 week.

            The Unicorns of Love looked to be in solid control of the game after a masterful level 1 bait by Kikis got them first blood. This was compounded further after a gank by Kikis in the top lane turned into another two kills for the Unicorns. However, they never were able to seize absolute control of the early game and gave up two dragons to the Giants without a contest. The Unicorns also looked hesitant about using their powerful siege comp – though they had Xerath and Corki, they respected PePiiNeRO’s Charm and Rydle’s Dark Bindings a little too much.

            Meanwhile, Giants Gaming managed to slow the game down to a pace they were comfortable with, and pressed on from there. Adryh in particular had a fantastic game – while his Sivir was four kills behind Vardags at the 26-minute mark, his CS numbers were insane and his incessant splitpushing had yielded the Giants a pair of towers. A fight near the dragon pit shortly afterwards netted him two kills, and after that point Adryh was unstoppable. PePiiNeRO’s play was also excellent. His Charms needed work, but his Ahri was an unhittable killing machine in late-game teamfights.

            The Unicorns floundered against the Giants in the midgame, giving up a pair of kills when Kikis and then Hylissang got caught out of position. The Giants wasted no time, going immediately for Baron and picking up a third kill onto Vizicsacsi. This, in turn, translated to a pair of towers and an inhibitor. With the gold lead now in their favor, Giants Gaming had no fear of the Unicorns of Love and spent the next seven minutes slowly grinding down their base. Desperate for a reprieve, the Unicorns attempted Baron Nashor, only to have the buff stolen from them by a clutch smite from Fr3deric. Mere seconds later, four members of the Unicorns of Love melted away under the Giant’s damage, and Adryh led the charge to the Nexus to end the game.

Giants Gaming (W)					Unicorns of Love (L)
Kills	Turrets		Gold		Kills	Turrets			Gold
19	10		71.6k		14	5			61.5k
Lineup
Position	Player		Champion	K/D/A	Position		Player			Champion	K/D/A
Top	Werlyb		Renekton	8/3/16	Top	Vizicsacsi				Maokai	2/8/7
Jungle	Fr3deric		Jarvan IV	2/4/15	Jungle	Kikis				Lee Sin	1/8/9
Mid	PePiiNeRO		Ahri	6/3/10	Mid	PowerOfEvil				Xerath	3/4/7
ADC	Adryh		Sivir	11/1/8	ADC	Vardags				Corki	7/3/7
Support	Rydle		Morgana	2/3/18	Support	Hylissang				Thresh	1/6/10
Bans
Cassiopeia		Nidalee	Kassadin		Jax			Gnar	Rek’Sai

  For stats, builds, and other information, check out the match history. In the meantime, let us know what you thought of the game below!