Juan Luis Morillo Fernández was one of the four players who had chosen the aggressive white Humans deck for this event. Surprisingly, the archetype had been the most popular among the admittedly small field of 22 Standard players this weekend. Adrián Díez, meanwhile, had brought a red-green mana acceleration deck.

The match would be a classic battle between small, fast creatures on one side and somewhat slower and infinitely bigger bombs on the other. It was going to be interesting: Would Morillo Fernández be able to overpower his opponent with a quick curve of 1-drops and Always Watching? Or would Díez be able to stop the onslaught with the help of his few early blockers and Kozilek's Return?

Game 1

Due to his higher finish in the Swiss rounds Morillo Fernández had the right to play first, a huge tempo advantage. But due to a mulligan he began at a serious card disadvantage. Whichever would be more important might be the deciding factor in this game.

IMG_3783

Juan Luis Morillo Fernández

Morillo Fernández had a typical opening for his deck: Dragon Hunter, Thraben Inspector, Expedition Envoy already gave him 5 power by turn two, and his opponent's Hangarback Walker met Declaration in Stone.

On Morillo Fernández's fourth turn, the Humans brought Díez's life total into the single digits already and were joined by Kytheon, Hero of Akros. At end of turn, however, Díez cast Kozilek's Return.

Kytheon became indestructible and survived. The young hero also brought Díez to 6, while the latter cast Nissa's Pilgrimage. But Morillo Fernández's chance had passed and the rest of the game was all Díez's: Chandra, Flamecaller, World Breaker, another World Breaker

Adrián Díez 1-0 Juan Luis Morillo Fernández

Game 2

Morillo Fernández took another mulligan but was rewarded with a reasonable mix of creatures and cards to pump said creatures with. By turn four, he controlled Dragon Hunter, Thalia's Lieutenant, Knight of the White Orchid, and Always Watching.

IMG_3781

Adrián Díez

With this, not only was he able to bring Díez down to 9 already, despite the latter's Hangarback Walker. More importantly, all of Morillo Fernández's creatures now had toughness 3, too tough even for Kozilek's Return!

An Expedition Envoy plus Reckless Bushwhacker wrapped things up but one turn later.

Adrián Díez 1-1 Juan Luis Morillo Fernández

Game 3

This time it was Díez's turn to take a mulligan, while Morillo Fernández kept three lands, Declaration in Stone, Thraben Inspector, and two Thalia's Lieutenants.

Díez once again had a Hangarback Walker on turn two, and another on turn three, but none of his three lands provided green mana, and a fourth land was nowhere to be found.

Meanwhile, Morillo Fernández drew two more Thalia's Lieutenants as well as two Town Gossipmongers. Díez's Hangarback Walkers did their best to absorb some damage, but when the five Thopter tokens were all exiled by Declaration in Stone things were finally, definitely over.

IMG_3784

Morillo Fernández's creatures weren't that small after all

Adrián Díez 1-2 Juan Luis Morillo Fernández