Let's have a quick look at the two time finalist and the champions of the first ever The International last 2011, Natus Vincere, who just ended the group stage with an 11-3 record and immediately sent Neolution E-Sports.Orange into the lower bracket early into the playoffs to advance into the next round.

During the group stages, Natus Vincere showcased their great team fight coordination and impressive individual skills, going past through most of the opposing teams they faced although losing 0-2 against Fnatic.Eu and a game against LGD.cn. Proving that Dark Seer and Weaver was key to their victories, picking them up on the majority of their matches.

Checkout this earlier interview with Na`Vi's Funn1k, talking about their bootcamp in China amongst other things.

 

I was dissapointed by Chinese teams..I thought they would play much better and wouldn't lose their games.

- Funn1k

 

This was a perfect example of where a well executed team fight by Natus Vincere basically kept the game away out of an opposing team's reach, in this case, out of Mouz's reach.

 

 

The match between Na'Vi and DK went back and forth but at some point Natus Vincere was forced to sit back as DK was able to win a few skirmishes. Eventually, Natus Vincere was able to farm the neccessary items they needed and one huge team fight turned out badly for DK was just the tale of the story, as DK accepted defeat and tapped out even though they have yet to lose their barracks.

 

 

With the group stage done, we focus now on Natus Vincere's first match in the upper bracket and it's Neolution E-Sports Orange who they had much difficulty defeating in their past meetings.

In game 1, we saw Natus Vincere go old school and picked up Mirana, Naga Siren and Bane line up but unfortunately wasn't really that effective against Neolution E-Sports.Orange in the laning stage. That evenutally cost them the game. But in games 2 and 3, they went back to their usual Natus Vincere style that featured their core heroes; Chen, Rubick, Lifestealer, Puck and Bounty Hunter basically secured the series. Na'Vi advanced unto the next round and will be facing off against TongFu.

 

 

Source: Interview with Funn1k @ The International 2013