EPTThe Koreans
Koreans seeded into pool play: 14-2 (28-7) 80% Win Rate
MC 4-1 (8-2)
MMA 4-0 (8-1)
Losira 4-0 (8-2)
Moon 3-1 (6-2)
The Koreans are performing just about as expected. MC had the unexpected upset to IdrA and Losira had some keyboard issues (claiming at one point that he won using only his mouse) but even Moon (who some regarded as not as good as the other Koreans) is performing at a very high level. MMA has been especially dominant, dropping only a single game so far to SjoW.
The Undefeated
IdrA 4-0 (8-0) 100% Win Rate
I think no matter what happens next IdrA has had a very successful tournament. So far he has taken down Protoss, Terran and Zerg with equal ease-- including the greatest Protoss in the entire world. IdrA's gonna have a hard time convincing anyone that Zerg is underpowered while he crushes all races with ease-- which brings me to my next point.
The Zerg
(Zergs with winning records in pool play)
JulyZerg 4-0 (8-2) (also went undefeated through open bracket)
IdrA 4-0 (8-0)
Losira 4-0 (8-2)
FXOSheth 3-2 (7-7)
Slush 2-1 (5-3)
Moon 3-1(6-3)
Ret 3-2 (6-5)
For the first time in a while we're seeing some Zergs have a lot of success in a foreign tournament. While IdrA won the IPL and the GSL has seen it's share of Zerg champions, it seems that most foreign tournaments have lacked signifcant Zerg success. With Terrans such as Select and Gretorp unable to win any matches and strong Protosses like Tyler and Kiwikaki faltering, could MLG Columbus be the revenge of the swarm?
The Disappointments
Gretorp 0-4 (1-8)
Kiwikaki 1-4 (4-8)
SeleCT 0-5 (2-10)
mOoNan 0-5 (2-10)
With such a strong field of players there were bound to be some disappointments. However, I'm not sure anyone could have anticipated SeleCT and Kiwikaki falling as far and as hard as they did. Additionally, I don't think anyone expected Gretorp or mOoNan to contend for a Top 8 placement but nor did they expect them to go almost entirely winless.
Well that was just a few observations I thought were interesting about MLG so far. Hopefully it isn't all totally irrelevant by tomorrow and maybe I'll update it if people are interested.
