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EDIT I apologize for letting my photos go down. The picture hosting service I was using flagged me as a high bandwidth risk. Looks like I may have to go with a paid photo storage option. For now, while I search for options, I will leave this post up and hopefully fix it when I have a solution. But, I will have a solution ready for my next post 100%. Once again, Sorry for the hiccup.
Event coverage of GLS Ro64 Day 3
Todays GSL events felt much different than yesterdays. Tactics were dirtier, battles were fiercer, and worst of all, hopes were dashed. Unlike yesterday, I had hope invested in some of todays contestants. I was suprised to find my heart racing as matches came to their apex. I had followed these players cheerfully for a while now, and this was the deciding moment - you either rise or fall.
On to the matches.
First up was Jooktojung vs. Renniehour. Watching Korean protoss players at work is a real treat. While many of the strategies I've seen are simliar thus far (zealot/stalker/sentry) the forcefield work and unit micro is very entertaining. Luckily, viewers were in for a treat due to the creative use of burrowed roaches by JtJ. The ominous precession of underground roaches made everyone excited for the moment they were about to surface. The matches were rather even. but JTJ took the win.
Jootojung, primed for combat.
Don't piss Reniehour off, or he'll forcefield you.
Next up was the hamburger terrorist himself, CellaWeRRa. Cella's casts have brought humorous and playful side to Korean SC2 gaming, and many in the community have embraced Cella with open arms. I approached Cella, introduced myself, and got straight to business.
Me: Do you have any favorite maps.
Cella: Most likely Metalopolis and Scrapstation.
Me: How are you feeling.
Cella: Nervous, I am playing MaruPrime, the 13 year old. He has been trained hard to be a BW gamer and plays SC2 a lot.
Me: You can do it! Let's get a hamburger sometime.
Cella: Yes please make sure many people donate 1$ for my hamburgers!
Terrorist or not, this guy is pure awesome.
And then there is MaruPrime:
Picture taken almost past his bed time.
In many ways the antithesis of Cella: uber-young, meticulous to an extreme, crazy one base play, and an efficiency brought on by what I must assume to be coaching, as self training seems a little unlikely here. Maru's play was quite good, showing creative micro moments (my favorite being when he called in a MULE to block a unit from coming past a just destroyed supply depot - didnt work that well, but pretty cheeky).
Cella would often expand quick, and make massive attempts to macro hard, often to the point of putting himself in danger. In the end, these players were evenly matched, and in the final round in desert oasis, both players were baseless, but Cella was simply more behind, and having missed his opportunity to get the most out of his units, he had to concede.
And in the end, Cella seems to have lost in one of the most sublte ways - the inability to capitalize on advantageous situations. Now, that is all very easy for me to say, watching omnipotently as all the events unfold. But being in that position, with no base to support you, but still with victory within reach, the decisions you have to make are subtle and difficult. Cella was handling himself very well, but that is a very tough hole to dig yourself out of, and at many times he was a mere hair away from achieving that. I salute you Cella, and I hope to see you play again.
I know this photo is pretty much the same as the other one. I don't care. It's awesome.
Nick: "So, what's your training regimen." Maru: "My coach gives me a sippy cup every time I successfully harass with reapers"
Next up, Eternalprime vs. "FruitDealer". The games rocked, but I don't have much to say for this one, as I was chatting a lot with this guy:
Torch - even he could not escape the wrath of a Korean flattening iron.
Okay, but before we get to Trevor's story, pics of EPrime and FDealer:
EternalPrime, super emo.....
... yet surprisingly chipper.
Yes, his korean name translates to "fruit dealer": a truck that drives around with a loud speaker advertising fresh produce sold on the quick.
I had the pleasure of watching many of the earlier matches with Trevor and to talk shop. As many know he payed his own way to Korea. He did this instead of going to PAX and participating in some tournaments on the west coast, since air fair at the time was comparable to the the trip to California. He's fronting his own board costs as well, but GOMTV was nice enough to put him up in his hotel for the first few nights in Korea.
Talking strategy with TorcH while watching matches was a real treat.
Setting up for his match.
When asked about his training regimen - who he played with, what approach was he taking - his reply was unenthusiastic: "PCbang - Korean ladder, its not optimal at all." His match up today was TvP, and surprisingly he encountered very few Protoss on the ladder. Furthermore, he found the skill difference between good players and bad seems to be larger on a Korean server: " When you encounter a good player, they play amazing. When you encounter a bad player, and you do quite often, its quite often cheese, or a strange process of scouting my base, and not responding to any of my builds - it's a little confusing at times."
After game 1, TorcH knows he has to pull out the stops.
Some very quick on the spot thinking allowed him to create a defense that won him game 2, and he breathes a sigh of relief.
To many, Trevor carried the hopes of a lot of us. He flew there on his own and was going it all solo. But without a stable network to help him train, adapt, and develop, the result can be seen in his games. TorcH's build were unique and refreshing, but a lack of scouting merely lead to his downfall. When faced with a perceivable force, like in game 2, Trevor responded with some quick thinking and amassed a quick Battlecruiser army, crushing his enemy easily. Both other games he merely fell to un-scouted Voidrays.
[center]
For the 2nd time today, I see that expression - both humbling and saddening./[center]
Watching the games, many people saw the flair and potential of a talented gamer merely at the whim of circumstances. I have no doubt that if TorcH continues his pro gaming career, he can achieve great things.
There you go, Day 3. A day of exciting games, but for this fan, disappointing results.
Through it all, Trevor was a spirited and happy guy, always willing to talk, and most of all, always excited to help Esports flourish.
Cella and Torch: best of luck in future games! You have a dedicated fan if you decide you want revenge.
 
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Canada9720 Posts
Awesome blog, thanks for sharing.
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its rather entertaining how much worse people will play if you put em on stage and shine camera lights on them. Even the experienced progamer Mr.Cool himself couldnt help but look nervous.
Which sorta gives great hope that idra-_- will go far, very far!
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Thanks for yet another wonderfull summary.
I feel the same as you, I really wanted Cella and TorcH to win 
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The studio is very intimate. I wonder how much that has an effect - they are merely meters away from spectators.
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I love this thread; one of the best I've ever read. Thanks for posting such great pictures and a great summary.
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United States4126 Posts
Hehe, TorcH's curly hair is missing 
All that's left is Idra and TLO!
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I managed to beat TorcH once in a small tournament... I got ridiculously lucky like 3 times. Lucky for me it was a Bo1, I didn't even know who he was at the time.
It's a shame he lost in the GSL. I would have liked to see TorcH get first place, then I would get to pretend I'm better than I am! I guess that's just fantasy though :D
Anyway better luck next time. I'm a TorcH fanboy.
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respect to Torch- he took his loss a lot better than others, even when his loss was to 'lamer' build. Not saying the build isn't gosu as obviously it was effective but Void Rays aren't the most humbling defeat.
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On September 08 2010 03:38 Kinky wrote:Hehe, TorcH's curly hair is missing All that's left is Idra and TLO!
artosis yo
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my coach gives me a sippy cup every time i successfully harass with reapers.... lmao
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Who did TorcH play against?
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Awesome blog, thanks for this. Still, I was really sad this morning when I watched torch's last game ._.
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This is so good, and really well written! Thanks man :>
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nice write-up! wish i hadn't fallen asleep after the second match >_<
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On September 08 2010 04:05 hazelynut wrote:
nice write-up! wish i hadn't fallen asleep after the second match >_<
This...
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lol i fell asleep after the 2nd match
great pictures! torch looks so different without his curly hair :D
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I was watching CellaWeRRa against MakuPrime in school during a long break and I had to go when they were halfway into the last game. It was so irritating. I guess I'll have to wait a while for VODs?
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United States4126 Posts
On September 08 2010 03:40 Sfydjklm wrote:Show nested quote +On September 08 2010 03:38 Kinky wrote:Hehe, TorcH's curly hair is missing All that's left is Idra and TLO! artosis yo
How could I forget >_<
Being a caster and a player for the same tournament is funny.
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man torch.. saved the picture.. that is so touching .. also the text .. you nailed it.
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5/5 blog. Described exactly how I felt during (more like after) the games. Hopefully Cella will partecipate and do well in the next seasons.
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Great pictures...
Hope more foreigners get through next GSL and make it further!
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Great story, too bad about Torch really. It gives hope to other nerds out here.
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On September 08 2010 05:13 Siretu wrote:
I was watching CellaWeRRa against MakuPrime in school during a long break and I had to go when they were halfway into the last game. It was so irritating. I guess I'll have to wait a while for VODs?
That sucks, that was probably the most nail biting game in the tourney so far (imo).
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When I surfed TL in class today I cursed under my breath when I saw that cella had lost.
There will be a next time! *in one of those really awesome voices - think Zeus or godlike*
Awesome blog by the way. :D
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So sad about Cella and Torch. But gg's all around! I hope both of them continue participating in tournaments.
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Great blog, love all the pictures :D
Found it interesting that GOMtv actually payed for Torch's hotel room ...
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Five stars to you, Sir!
Great read. 
To me TorcH showed that foreigners should most definitly give it a try, but they should probably make sure to have some sort of support when going.
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On September 08 2010 08:28 Butcherski wrote:
Great blog, love all the pictures :D
Found it interesting that GOMtv actually payed for Torch's hotel room ...
Well they said they would before hand but I'm pretty sure Torch is the only foreigner who actually needed a place to sleep.
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Love this blog. Poor cella
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Very nice blog and great pictures. Too bad Cella and Torch didn't make it .
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Man how baller are the foreigners in this tournament players and commentators.. So good! gl to all the foreigners, and those representing TL hell yeah boy! good luck!
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Really great blog.. I'm upset torch and cella lost as well
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Fantastic photos, thanks so much.
I'm sure TorcH will be back again soon enough. It was a big ask, without backup. He'll keep getting better. And experience counts for a lot in these big showy tournaments. Hard to imagine more pressure.
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Sad Torch lost game 3, after game 2 i was rooting for him to make it into the round of 32 :C.
Heres hoping Torch makes some more appearances in Korea!
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l10f
United States3241 Posts
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I want to play sc2 with CellaWeRRa and talk ginger talk with Torch, together the 3 of us will take over the world.
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Grats to the winners, I guess
Once again, top notch post. Thank you.
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Too bad Torch lost but at least he managed to take a game out of 3.
About Cella's games I'm sad that he lost but at the same time I'm quite happy that Maru will get to the round of 32.
All in all I feel that the games are getting better and better, and the skill potential as well as good strats & tactics are starting to show.
ps: Let's not forget the extremely good manner from Torch, wishing gl to his opponent in the tournament.
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When TorcH won game 2, I literally jumped out of my chair and ran 4 laps around my bedroom fist pumping and cheering!
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Awesome read! I'm having a blast watching the GSL.
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Pics don't work for me, says it got moved or deleted.
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Thats odd, is this the case for anyone else?
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Your pictures all broke
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Understood, sorry for that everyone. Since my blog thus far is photo heavy, I'll be updating to a different service soon. Again I'm sorry, but I dont have time to fix it now. Have patience and by the time my next post drops, I'll have a solution.
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Can anyone see the final image of trevor? I am doing a test. For me, all the images load cause they are in my cache.
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On September 09 2010 01:02 skAnarky wrote:
Can anyone see the final image of trevor? I am doing a test. For me, all the images load cause they are in my cache.
yes, that's the only picture showing up.
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KK, I will have the pics up again in about 24 hours.
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On September 09 2010 01:40 skAnarky wrote:
KK, I will have the pics up again in about 24 hours.
k thx!
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I really feel bad for cellawerra, he got nervous and botched the games, that maru kid is good but I'm sure he's like all these starcraft kiddies that are strong on mechanics (repetition) and bad on strategy and innovation.
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"image was deleted or was moved"
wtf?
edit: nvm
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will look into it tonight when I fix the blog, thanks!
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On September 09 2010 14:05 skAnarky wrote:will look into it tonight when I fix the blog, thanks!
I even integrated it into TL, there is an "Upload Image" feature right above your reply box!
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OK, the post should be back up now. Enjoy!
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Oh man, that kid is like 8 years old. Wow.
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wonderful blog. love cella but to be honest he plays too slow...methodical for sure but too slow.
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tat fruit dealer needs sleep!
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Nice blog!
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Thanks a lot for the extra coverage, great work!
Holy Check.
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On September 09 2010 14:08 R1CH wrote:Show nested quote +On September 09 2010 14:05 skAnarky wrote:will look into it tonight when I fix the blog, thanks! I even integrated it into TL, there is an "Upload Image" feature right above your reply box!
Hey rich how did you manage to have an imgur uploader that's clientside? Does the TL uploader take the image first, then transload the image to imgur? Since I don't think you can upload to imgur directly from TL because of cross domain POSTing.
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Thank you, very interesting blog !
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Amazing writeup, keep them coming.
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EPT![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/jooktogungRS3.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/RenieHourRS3.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/HOLYCHECKRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/MaruPrimeRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/CellaLossRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/holycheckRS2.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/MaruInterviewRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchSmileRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/eternalprimeRS2.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/eternalprimeRS4.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/FruitDealerRS2.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/FruitDealerSmileWinRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchspectateRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchBoothSetupRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchCameraRS.jpg)
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![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchoverRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/skAnarky/TorchinterviewRS.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/tlCPu.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/TBXEY.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://imgur.com/IYMDA.jpg)
