Code S Round of 32 Recap and Prediction Analysis
+ Show Spoiler +
In paranthesis, my predictions
Group A: MC, July (July, MVP)
The first of many mindblowing results in the GSL Code S. After a suboptimal game against a rock solid MC, July 2-0s GSL Champions MVP and sends him to the up and down matches with his unique style. On a sidenote, Hyperdubs 45 minute all in on one base made me think of a puppy falling into a pond, disturbing play.
Group B: Clide, Byun (Clide, Byun)
No big surprises here, the games were entertaining and the outcome expectable.
Group C: Jinro, Check (Jinro, Rainbow)
Our beloved swedish gorilla terran with another stunning performance, progressing without a sweat, Check playing surprisingly well in this group and deserving the second spot.
Group D: Nada, HongUn (NaDa, TOP)
Nada played exactly the way I expected him to play, which was a beauty again. HongUn seems to be on the progressing path again, taking the second spot here in a deserving fashion.
Group E: san, Ensnare (Boxer, Nestea)
The bummer of the whole Round of 32. San playing in the shape of his life, almost flawless, innovative and solid at the same time, maybe the best performance of all 32 players, hence taking the top spot in this group. Crazy enough, Ensnare thought it's time for his A game aswell and sending down Boxer and Nestea to the Up and Down matches, high likely not only ruining mine, but thousands of Liquibet results.
Group F: Lyn, TheWind (Choya, BanBans)
Another upset, although not in the same dimension as Group E as it was maybe the closest group in the beginning. Lyn continued his convincing Code A form, and TheWind outsmarted the youth in person of Choya, who should have done better considering his GSL experience.
Group G: Tester, AnyPro (Fruitdealer, Genius)
First of all, Tester let's me look stupid by dominating the PvPs, seems like he has overcome his flaws here. On the other hand, AnyPro might thank the gods for getting 2 games against Fruitdealer, his PvP wasn't good and Fruitdealer continues his trail of losing games unneccessarily.
Group H: Kyrix, sC (MKP, sC)
MKP losing games to Inca and sC is the biggest upset of the season so far, uncomparable.
The final game Inca lost the game in minute 2 with a cheesy opening and went downhill from that, Kyrix playing solid but not crazy good.
Code S Round of 16 Predictions
+ Show Spoiler +
MC(P) vs Byun(T)
With Byun showing that his Code A performance was well deserved, I think here comes the roadblock he can't overcome. With MCs performance in Group Stage, I can see nothing but a two map victory for MC as on addition I cannot recall his TvP, if anything it is not remarkable, not enough for a former GSL champions for sure.
Jinro(T) vs. HongUn(P)
About the same story here, although HongUn had plenty of PvT practice and competition lately for obvious reason. But here he runs into a man that has barely lost any official matches lately and played perfect in Group Stage, this is a 2-0 victory for our all favourite swedish folk.
san(P) vs. TheWind(Z)
After the performance this guy showed in Group Stage, and TheWind being coach that is waiting to drop out of Code S finally to start coaching again I see san advancing to the Round of 8 here in two maps. Who would have bet that before?
Tester(P) vs. sC(T)
Having seen Tester play perfectly in Group Stage, but only in PvP, but sC winning against Inca TvP, this will be a close match with Tester coming out in top after 3 maps.
July(Z) vs. Clide(T)
I can already picture Artosis going groupie-mode on this game. But as Clide had a fairly easy group and played only decent, and July tearing the reigning GSL champion known for solid TvZ apart, July advances after two maps here, if he doesn't do stupid things in between, but he usually saves that for mirror.
Check(Z) vs. NaDa(T)
Check surprised me in Group Stage with a very solid performance, but watching Nada playing starcraft is like watching a classic concert, everything is in harmony. The Terran Check hits here is a different calibre from the ones before, and NaDa will take this 2-0.
Ensnare(T) vs. Lyn(T)
This might turn out to be the most exciting game of the round in terms of tightness. I see Ensnare taking this in 3 long, tense games, baring in mind his games against Jinro.
Kyrix(Z) vs. AnyPro(P)
This is a tough one, as both didn't play perfect in Group Stage. Kyrix had a huge advantage in his ZvP against Inca from the begin and didnt play it out stunning well, but AnyPro won both maps against FruitDealer, therefor I see him in front after 2 maps aswell, although the playstyles of FruitDealer and Kyrix differ.
Summary
+ Show Spoiler +
Code S Round of 32 Predictions Analysis:
6 of 16 players correct, one group correct (ok for such huge upsets )
Code S Round of 16 Predictions Summary:
MC 2-0 Byun
Jinro 2-0 HongUn
san 2-0 TheWind
Tester 2-1 sC
July 2-0 Clide
Check 0-2 NaDa
Ensnare 2-1 Lyn
Kyrix 0-2 AnyPro