In the 1st semifinals of the 2018 Summer Split, we had a classic match up between 2nd seed Cloud9 and 5th seed Team SoloMid. These teams have had a long history with TSM and Bjersen usually coming out on top over C9 and Jensen. These 2 European mid laners have been at the top of the league for a long time and constantly battling it out in the NA LCS. In Game 1, it was a slow game with not too many kills in the early game, but TSM controlled all the dragons. This advantage led them to baron control and eventually winning a team fight around the pit to secure it. This game showcased Bjergsen once again on an assassin in Akali as he went 9-2-1 to dominate the game. Game 2 was similar as both teams played slow in the beginning, but this time it was Cloud9 with the dragon control. Their constant pressure in the top lane gave them the 1st baron of the game, which they rolled with to finish the game through bottom lane in under 30 minutes. Sneaky led the way on Varus going 6-2-3. In Game 3, Zven's pulled out Swain which proved to be the difference maker in many team fights and there were a lot as both teams looked to be more proactive. It was practically even at 27 minutes, when TSM decided to rush baron, secure it, and win the subsequent team fight. They got a small lead, but it wasn't until the 34th minute when another team fight broke out and even though Grig was taken out first, Sven and the rest of TSM won the team fight 4-1 and ran it down mid to end the game. Sven finished the game 10-2-6 and definitely carried this game. In Game 4, Cloud9 pulled out their trump card as they brought out their duo-subs in Svenskeren and GoldenGlue as they were down 2-1 and on the brink of elimination. This duo has proven in the past to be effective against the very best in Team Liquid and so everyone was waiting to see what they could do. It was pretty even in the 27th minute and a fight broke out in mid. TSM were scattered and Cloud9 jumped on them from multiple angles to secure 2 kills, which was enough to allow them to secure baron. They broke TSM's base and with a few clutch Zilean ults from Zeyzal to save a few teammates, they pushed their way to a Game 5. Cloud9 kept their sub-duo of Svenskeren and GoldenGlue in for Game 5 and it proved to be a smart decision. They out macro'd TSM around the map and were up 6-0 in towers after 20 minutes. TSM had already lost their inhibitor tower in top and they felt desparate to fight back, so they chased Cloud9 as they retreated. Cloud9 found the perfect opportunity to turn around and engage in a team fight. A closer teleport Licorice made the fight a 5v4 and they won the fight cleanly 3-0 and pushed all the way to the nexus. Cloud9's 7 man roster had done it, they continued their solid team play and earned themselves a spot in the Summer Split Finals.
The 2nd semifinals had additional meaning for both the 1st seed Team Liquid and 3rd seed 100 Thieves as the winner of this match would guarantee themselves a spot at Worlds 2018 based on championship points. Team Liquid took a bit of scrutiny for picking 100 Thieves over Team SoloMid as their semifinals opponent, but it was probably a smart decision as it gave them the highest chance at reaching Worlds. In a surprising move, 100 Thieves decided to play their academy ADC Rikara in place of Cody Sun. 100 Thieves have not had a good record against Team Liquid, especially Cody Sun against Doublelift in the bottom lane. In Game 1, AnDa was put on the Kindred and through some aggressive plays, he built up a quick early game lead against Xmithie. Doublelift was never able to fully carry on his Kai'Sa as 100 Thieves focused all their crowd control on him. After securing 2 kills on Doublelift and Olleh, 100 Thieves turned to baron in the 21st minute, but Team Liquid still had bodies to contest and turn it into a smite fight. A well timed ultimate froze baron and 100 Thieves focused down Xmithie before securing baron. Team Liquid looked to have control of the dragon pit when elder dragon spawned and they started it off. 100 Thieves slowly poked their way into the pit and forced Xmithie to flee. He tried to come back for the smite, but instead he died and AnDa secured the elder dragon to take Game 1. AnDa was everywhere in Game 1 with 100% kill participate finishing 3-0-8. Game 2 was much different as Team Liquid had a much more balanced team composition and it showed with Pobelter and Impact leading the team in kills at 5 a piece. It was a slow and steady victory with Team Liquid in control all game. Game 3 finally saw Doublelift pop off on Varus with the rest of the team providing support and crowd control on Ryze, Ornn, Sejuani, and Thresh. Team fight after team fight, Team Liquid were able to get the better engages and Doublelift was able to finish off the kills going 8-0-5. Game 4 saw a similar composition from Team Liquid, which allowed them to control their lanes and build advantages across the map. Their engages and crowd control were too much for 100 Thieves as Olleh on Thresh was able to hit some crazy hooks to catch them out and turn the team fight in their favour. The game finished in under 30 minutes and Team Liquid had secured their spot in both the Summer Split Finals and Worlds 2018. The Summer Split Finals are between 1st seed Team Liquid and 2nd seed Cloud9.
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