EPT
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040712234729002.JPG)
The Road to the OSL
Not many players sky rocket to the OSL. Shortly after his debut he qualified for OCL 2003-2 (Challenge League). He defeated [Oops]Spoon but lost to Doggi. Thus he qualified for the second round of OCL where he defeated Grrr... 2-1 qualifying for ODT 2003 Season 2. His group contained Yellow, Elky and Gundam, and went 0-2 in his group. But because he was in ODT he qualified for the OCL Seed selection tournament - where he defeated Yellow 2-0.
The next OCL he lost to Freshen but beat Oddysay and once again qualified for OCL 2003-3 round 2 where he met Freshen again. This time he defeated him 2-1 and qualified for ODT 2003-3. July's ODT group was one of the toughest possible featuring Midas, Boxer and Reach. July went 2-1 losing to Reach and defeating Boxer and Midas and earning him a place in Gillette OSL.
The Group Stages
Zeus, the second seed for Gillette OSL, chose July to be in his group. July chose Casy and Casy chose Doggi. Thus making Group B.
vs Zeus
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=84587219303862968
vs Doggi
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3375326386870305987
vs Casy
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4479807261162757722
July's unique aggressive style (coupled with his awesome micro) had earned him many fans. Many of these fans had originated from his WGT days (where he was ranked #1). By now there were many many fans drooling over July's sexy control and aggressive take on ZvT (and ZvP). In addition to that, July was the only Zerg to make it out of the group stage.
The Round of 8
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040612205312001.JPG)
July in his booth in the Ro8-1 of Gillette
As the last representative of his race July would meet former OSL Champion Xellos in the round of 8.
Game 1
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7936148444895390454
Game 2
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040618203843001.JPG)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3123589208495407598
Game 3
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040625190112001.JPG)
Eager fans
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040625195756001.JPG)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5972749598704316927
Thus, July defeated Xellos 2-1 and gained entry into the OSL semi-finals. OOv defeated Zeus on the same evening (2-1) and became July's semi-final opponent.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040625204208001.JPG)
Good news
The Semi-Finals
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702113747002.JPG)
Was July about to be hit by the SKT1 bus?
Lets get a little background on OOv. As the reigning MSL Champion he was the heavy favourite to win Gillette. But more scarily OOv was on his famous 27-0 TvZ winning streak. Oov had already defeated Julyzerg in SPRIS MSL. He also went on a similar path to July in Gillette - he 3-0'd his group and 2-1'd his Ro8 opponent.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702224938005.JPG)
Would this come true?
Game 1
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4464470300695705152
Game 2
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702203825002.JPG)
July's Duracell bunny
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3408448204872438553
Game 3
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7864484533878270478
Game 4
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702221532001.JPG)
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702221532002.JPG)
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702221532004.JPG)
Ha was getting worried during this game
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7724250238081442973
Game 5
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702221532005.JPG)
One set left
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7384218477159083527
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702221532008.JPG)
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040702225644003.JPG)
Victorious
The Finals
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040801194254002.JPG)
A quick costume change
Having dispatched of the Gorilla only one man was left in his way. None other than the Mantoss himself - [Oops]Reach.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040802005255003.JPG)
The contenders
The finals were held on the 1st of August in 2004. Important to note is that no zerg had won an OSL to date - but it could happen this time round.
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040801200713004.JPG)
The duracell bunnies!
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040802005255011.JPG)
A view from July's booth
The expectations were high for both players. Reach was an ex-OSL champ and Hero of the protoss race, whereas July was the second coming of the Swarm.
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20040802005255019.JPG)
Victorious!
With July defeating Reach 3-1 he became one of the few players in history to walk the Royal Road. In addition to that, he was the first Zerg to win an OSL. He would later go on to win a Second OSL and become the the most successful zerg in OSL ever (so far more successful than Savior).
![[image loading]](http://www.fain-os.net/blog/attach/1/1020667516.jpg)
!
