The atmosphere at the Grand Finals venue had reached a boiling point.
As both teams emerged from the player tunnel, the thunderous cheers were almost enough to lift the roof. Chinese spectators waved their five-star red flags, shouting, "Go Xinghai!" Fans from Russia were not to be outdone, cheering for their team with powerful voices.
The live stream's popularity broke historical records, with bullet comments refreshing at an uncatchable speed.
"They're here! They're finally here!"
"Xinghai, go for it!"
"Siberian Bear, crush them!"
"This atmosphere is suffocating me!"
At the commentary desk, Commentator and Yaoyao were ready.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Grand Finals of the Star Sea Cup World Invitational!" Commentator's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "I'm your commentator, Commentator!"
"And I'm Yaoyao! After a long wait, the answer to this ultimate showdown will finally be revealed tonight!"
The big screen began to play player introductions, and each time a player's close-up appeared, the venue erupted in corresponding cheers.
"Attention!" Yaoyao raised her voice, "This is a Global Ban-Pick Grand Finals. All champions used by both sides in previous matches will not be available for selection again!"
Star Sea Team was on the blue side, and their first ban phase targeted Siberian Bear's top laner Ivan's Darius and jungler Kindred.
Siberian Bear didn't hesitate, immediately banning Star Track's Zoe and Lüeyǐng's nidalee.
"Both sides are targeting each other's signature champions!" Commentator quickly analyzed.
In the first pick round, Star Sea Team first picked aphelios!
"aphelios! Xinghai immediately snatches the meta-defining champion!" Yaoyao exclaimed.
Siberian Bear immediately retaliated, securing the Varus and Tahm Kench bot lane duo.
"Varus and Tahm Kench, a classic counter-engage protection!" Commentator nodded.
Star Sea Team then revealed ornn and Jarvan IV!
"Top and jungle confirmed! A very strong engage combination!" Yaoyao praised.
Siberian Bear picked Sejuani and Ryze.
"Sejuani and Ryze! A very strong mid-jungle combination!" Commentator analyzed, "Ryze's Realm Warp can put a lot of pressure on the side lanes!"
In the second ban-pick phase, both sides specifically banned several counter champions.
Then, Siberian Bear's fourth and fifth picks made the entire venue gasp—
Fourth pick, Yasuo!
Fifth pick, diana!
"Yasuo and diana!" Commentator immediately stood up, "Siberian Bear has brought out their signature combination!"
Star Sea Team's final two picks were Orianna and leona.
Final Lineup:
Blue Side - Star Sea Team: ornn, Jarvan IV, Orianna, aphelios, leona
Red Side - Siberian Bear: Gnar, Sejuani, Ryze, Varus, Tahm Kench
Mid lane Yasuo, jungle diana!
"Oh my god!" Yaoyao excitedly analyzed, "Siberian Bear is going for an extreme dive composition! Yasuo combining with diana's Ultimate Ability, paired with Gnar's crowd control, this is a perfect teamfight combination!"
In the Level 1 teamfight, Siberian Bear showed strong aggression. Five players grouped up to invade Star Sea Team's red side jungle, aiming to disrupt Jarvan IV's jungle clear.
But Star Sea Team was well prepared. ornn and leona ambushed in the river bush, and a chain of crowd control instantly severely damaged diana!
"Beautiful! Star Sea Team's counter-gank was successful!" Commentator shouted.
At three minutes, Lüeyǐng's Jarvan IV came to the bot lane. leona flashed and pointed at Varus, aphelios followed up with damage, but Tahm Kench swallowed Varus, defusing the crisis.
"Such quick reactions!" Yaoyao exclaimed.
At six minutes, a fierce mid-lane duel erupted. Yasuo used minions for flexible movement, dodging Orianna's two abilities consecutively, and at Level 6, instantly flashed and ulted, securing a solo kill!
"First Blood!"
"Solo kill! Yasuo solo killed Orianna!"
The Russian fans in the venue erupted!
But Star Sea Team quickly retaliated. Jarvan IV came to the top lane and, with ornn's knock-up, killed Gnar.
"One for one, both sides can accept that!"
The rest of the match became an ultimate game of strategic operation.
Siberian Bear continuously sought opportunities during Yasuo and diana's power spikes, while Star Sea Team countered with ornn and Jarvan IV's strong engage capabilities.
At fifteen minutes, a dragon teamfight broke out.
diana flashed in, and Moonfall pulled in three people! Yasuo instantly followed with his Ultimate Ability, but Orianna's Zhonya's Hourglass at a critical moment dodged the fatal damage! ornn immediately called his Ram, knocking up three people!
"The teamfight is intense!"
Ultimately, this teamfight ended in a 3 for 3, with both sides demonstrating top-tier teamfight coordination.
"Is this the strength of a world-class team?" Li Rui watched at home, his palms sweating, "Too strong!"
At twenty-two minutes, a Baron teamfight. Star Sea Team took up position early, but Siberian Bear's Ryze used Realm Warp to bring four players around the back! Gnar perfectly transformed and stunned three people with a single clap!
"Siberian Bear's coordination is too perfect!"
At this critical moment, aphelios's Infernum and Crescendum instantly melted the front line! Orianna's Shockwave pulled back three people!
"They're fighting back! Star Sea Team is fighting back!"
Ultimately, Star Sea Team achieved a 3 for 5, securing Baron!
"This is Star Sea Team's teamfight capability!" Commentator shouted excitedly.
Carrying the Baron Buff, Star Sea Team began to push. But Siberian Bear's defense was incredibly resilient, with Yasuo under the tower moving like a Phantom, continuously dodging crucial abilities.
At thirty-two minutes, an Elder Dragon teamfight. Both sides were in a stalemate at the dragon pit, every ability critical to victory.
"Watch Yasuo's position!" Yaoyao suddenly exclaimed.
Yasuo used minions to move, suddenly flashed and ulted, instantly closing in on aphelios's face! But Su Xiao reacted incredibly fast, using Zhonya's Hourglass to dodge the fatal blow!
"Oh my god! That reaction!"
ornn immediately called his Ram, leona's Solar Flare hit three people! Orianna's Shockwave followed up with crowd control!
"ACE!"
"Team wipe! Star Sea Team won!"
The moment Star Sea Team destroyed Siberian Bear's base, the entire stadium went wild!
"They won! Star Sea Team won!" Commentator yelled hoarsely, "In this spectacular first game of the Grand Finals, Star Sea Team has taken the first victory!"
"1:0!" Yaoyao excitedly summarized, "Both teams have given us a world-class showdown!"
At the player seats, Star Sea Team's members breathed a sigh of relief. This victory was hard-won.
As for Siberian Bear, although their players had lost, their eyes were still filled with fighting spirit.
(Star Sea Team's champions: ornn, Jarvan IV, Orianna, aphelios, leona)
(Siberian Bear's champions: Gnar, Sejuani, Ryze, Varus, Tahm Kench, Yasuo, diana)
Backstage, Qin Feng looked at the match data, his expression grave.
This was just the beginning.
He knew Siberian Bear's resilience all too well.
The next game would be the real test.