This is it! The grand final of the Modern event where Nicolas Chabriac from France will now go up against Alessandro La Porta from Italy. The winner will walk away with a 1.200 EUR voucher and a sweet trophy while the other finalist will have to make do with a 600 EUR voucher.

Nicolas decided to take a mulligan while Alessandro felt happy with his opening seven.

Alessandro La Porta had been on a roll this weekend!

Alessandro La Porta had been on a roll this weekend!

Nicolas had a good start with a fetch land and Birds of Paradise, but no follow-up on his second turn. Alessandro, meanwhile, also had a fetch land and he continued to search thorough his deck, thanks to Serum Visions. A removal took out the Birds, but Nicolas quickly replaced them on his following turn with a Voice of Resurgence.

Alessandro didn't take kindly to the invitation, casting Tarmogoyf to also apply some pressure and a Delver of Secrets for good measure. Tarmogoyf didn't hang around, though, thanks to a timely removal from Nicolas and Voice of Resurgence then made it just 12 life for Alessandro.

Play was back to the Italian, however, who was high up on cards with 5 in hand compared to Nicolas 1. He took in the field, thinking hard about his next play and admitted that he never played against Nicolas' deck. The Frenchman admitted that he had never gone up against Nicolas' deck either, so that seemed to tie the score in at least that regard.

Delver of Secrets traded with one of Nicolas' creatures and Alessandro replaced it with a fresh Tarmogoyf. It stared down Eternal Witness and the Voice of Resurgence that was still hanging around like an unwelcome visitor.

Tarmogoyf had to go up against a Voice of Resurgence and Eternal Witness!

Tarmogoyf had to go up against a Voice of Resurgence and Eternal Witness!

Tarmogoyf went in, making it 14 on Nicolas, and Nicolas then cast Snapcaster Mage to make some more use of Serum Visions. Alessandro thought long about whether to keep the cards at the top of his deck or send them to the bottom and he eventually decided that he would be better off not drawing into them anytime soon.

Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit got cast by Nicolas and that meant very bad news for Alessandro indeed. The following attacks left him on just 5 life and even though he asked for “something, please”, his deck wouldn't follow the call.

The game had turned into a Mexican standoff, with both players opting to not attack on their respective following turns.

That changed quickly when Nicolas found a fetch land, he searched a Temple Garden and that left him with a number of options. He at first believed he identified the best play possible, went for it, but halfway there, he changed his mind. The judge got asked whether it was OK to still play things out differently and he ruled that it was fine as Nicolas was pretty much still in the middle of resolving the effect. He then brought back Eternal Witness, which threatened to wrap things up the following turn.

Alessandro needed something and fast! It didn't look like he found what he needed, simply passing with 3 cards in hand. Another foil card appeared on Nicolas' side of the field and Alessandro admitted that the deck was indeed looking lovely.
Stubborn Denial bought Alessandro a little more time, but it triggered Voice of Resurgence, providing Nicolas with an even more impressive field.

Nicolas now clearly had the upper hand!

Nicolas now clearly had the upper hand!

A Noble Hierarch entered play the following turn, Alessandro had yet one more counter, but he still lost his Snapcaster Mage to a chump block. He drew for his turn, didn't find an out and that meant that Nicolas would claim the lead in the finals!

Game 2

“Oh my goodness!”, Alessandro explained, clearly unhappy with his opening hand. He kept it regardless…

Nicolas only needed one more win to become the Modern champion!

Nicolas only needed one more win to become the Modern champion!

…watching Nicolas casting Birds of Paradise, followed by Kitchen Finks. Lightning Bolt and Pyroclasm made short use of both, but Nicolas replaced them with Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit.

Alessandro felt confident that he could fight back with Hooting Mandrills, but a Collected Company into Voice of Resurgence seemingly put Nicolas far ahead.

Nicolas had no problem fighting back after Alessandro used some removal

Nicolas had no problem fighting back after Alessandro used some removal

The Italian went searching with Serum Visions, he sent in his Hooting Mandrills to test the waters and Tarmogoyf got cast quickly after that. Abrupt Decay dealt with it, rather efficiently, I should add, and that left Nicolas with just 3 cards in hand (while Alessandro was holding on to 4).

Nicolas further improved his position with Kitchen Finks after his attacks made it 14 on Alessandro. Hooting Mandrills attacked into Kitchen Finks, but Alessandro's Simic Charm made sure that things were going according to his plan. He then followed it up with a second copy of the Hooting Mandrills before passing play with a sad expression on his face and 2 more cards in hand.

Bit by bit, Nicolas was pulling further ahead

Bit by bit, Nicolas was pulling further ahead

Eternal Witness for Nicolas turned the game into a seemingly very one-sided affair and when he sent in Kitchen Finks again, Alessandro was forced to cast Pyroclasm. That triggered the Voice of Resurgence again, so Nicolas at least got to replace it with a token.

Alessandro cast Delver of Secrets before passing play.

Nicolas cast Collected Company! This was huge!

Cartel Aristocrat entered play and before Nicolas could even consider how to proceed, Alessandro extended his hand!

Nicolas Chabriac is your Modern Champion for the MKM Series #2 – Toulouse!

 

Alessandro was ever the fair contender despite the defeat.

Alessandro was ever the fair contender despite the defeat.