[OSL] Leading into Semi-Finals

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Hey guys, this is HC bringing you guys my personal OSL semi-finals write-up. This will not contain the results of the semi-final games, rather a write-up leading into the semi-final games. Be warned that this will be a very long write-up and you don't have to read it all if you don't want to haha. I noticed that nobody wrote a write-up for the OSL quarter-finals but it was too much work for me to input full depth analysis on those games. This will be a brief summary of how the players got to the semi-finals and a little bit of information of those who couldn't. So if you haven't checked out the quarter-finals do so now unless you just want to know right away. This will include my own analysis on the semi-finals and my own predictions as well. Hope you guys enjoy this read and I am open for any suggestions and constructive criticisms!

[OSL] Incruit 2008: One Step before Finals; Semi-Finals

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                                          <Legend in the Making; Semi-Finalists>

                                                                  GGPlay

김준영 (Kim Joon Yung)
Ro36: GGPlay > BestGod 2-0
Ro16: Group B 2-1 (TheRock/Light – Best)
Ro8: GGPlay > Flash 2-1
Winning Points for GGPlay: Able to adapt with fearsome Muta/Ultra combo (Game1) and showed us how to win ZvT on Plasma (Game3)
Current Status: Former OSL Champion (Daum OSL 07’)
Legendary Status?: 2nd Zerg to win more than a single OSL

Fantasy

정명훈 (Jung Myung Hoon)
Ro36: Fantasy > SoO 2-1, Fantasy > NaDa 2-1
Ro16: Group D 2-1 (Sea/BackHo – Stork).
Ro8: Fantasy > InteR.Mind 2-1
Winning Points: Able to gain the early advantage and bounce back from a loss.
Current Status: First OSL Appearance
Legendary Status?: Royal Roader

BeSt

도재욱 (Doh Jae Wook)
Ro36: Seeded
Ro16: Group B 3-0 (GGPlay/TheRock/Light)
Ro8: Best > Midas 2-0
Winning Points: Currently undefeated in Incruit OSL
Current Status: Last Season’s Silver Medalist (EVER 2008)
Legendary Status?: Successfully Climbs OSL Ladder

Stork

송병구 (Song Byung Goo)
Ro36: Stork > Dongrae 2-0
Ro16: Group D 3-0 (BackHo/Fantasy/Sea)
Ro8: Stork > Bisu 2-1
Winning Points: A PvP victory leading into another PvP series.
Current Status: THE Silver Medalists
Legendary Status?: Silver Addict Wins Gold

                                                            Tidbits (Hypes):

- New to GGPlay? Check out GGPlay vs Iris @ Daum OSL 07’
- Can Fantasy complete the royal road?
- Best is currently undefeated this season; will he continue his PvP streak as well?
- Will Stork ever get gold or will he gain yet another Silver?

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                                                             <Agony of Defeat>

                                                                  Flash

Former OSL Champion (Bacchus OSL 08’)
EVER 2008: Lost against Luxury to everyone’s surprise @ Ro8
Incruit 2008: Lost to GGPlay to everyone’s surprise @ Ro8

                                    Who ever thought we’d see this because of GGPlay?

                                                            InteR.Mind

Bacchus OSL: Unseen
EVER 2008: Eliminated @ Ro16
Incruit 2008: Lost to Fantasy (first appearance) @ Ro8

                                                      Frustration sinks in for Inter.Mind.

                                                                  Midas

No Gold No Silver
First OSL Appearance since Shinhan Season 3 OSL (06’-07’)
Incruit 2008: Lost to Teammate Best @ Ro8

                                                      Midas wishes Best good luck.

                                                                  Bisu

Bacchus 2008: Lost to OSL Champion Flash @ Semi-Finals
EVER 2008: Eliminated @ Ro16
Incruit 2008: Lost to Stork @ Ro8

                              A rough start to his busy OSL, MSL, and GOM Classic week.

                                                            Make No Mistake

- Each of these solid players will return next season
- Will Flash escape his turmoil?
- Can Mind continue to fight to seek an OSL gold?
- Does Midas have enough in him to capture a well-deserved title?
- Has Bisu met his limit?

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                                                      <Semi-Final Previews>

                                          Group A - GGPlay vs Fantasy @ Oct 17th:

First Glance –

It is notable that GGPlay has a sick late ZvT game. GGPlay is definitely the more experienced player, while pressure is on Fantasy’s side. GGPlay defeated Flash to get into this spot but Fantasy came a long way without facing a Zerg. Something fresh for our eyes, yet it could be bitter for Fantasy. Don’t count Fantasy out though because there is not enough information on Fantasy’s TvZ; a mystery to everyone especially GGPlay.

Game 1 – Plasma

This map is a big Terran favoured game against Zerg. Unfortunately for GGPlay, he may have to play on this map twice if the series goes to game 5. Fantasy previously lost by a failed cheese against Stork and GGPlay fought away a cheese against Flash. Safe bet for Fantasy is to play it standard and scout for any creativity GGPlay may plan out.

      HC’s Pick: Fantasy

Game 2 – Medusa

We have a Terran favoured map to a Zerg favoured map statistically. A massive open area in the middle of the map makes it possible for GGPlay to flank up, down, left and right. The cliffs will definitely play a factor in this game. Whoever uses the map to their advantage will take this one. Both men are undefeated 2-0 on this playing ground, but GGPlay won both against Terrans.

      HC’s Pick: GGPlay

Game 3 – Return of the King

The many alternate routes will allow GGPlay to make several sneak attacks on Fantasy. It is in the dark on Fantasy’s M&M control and how well he can handle flanks. One thing is for sure is that we can always rely on experience.

      HC’s Pick: GGPlay

Game 4 – Chupung-Ryeong

The large distance between the two start locations will make a toll on Fantasy’s mobility. Fantasy should either choose to go all in cheese or play defensively into a full force push with science vessels. Fantasy should be able to do well with patience.

      HC’s Pick: Fantasy

Game 5: Plasma
This could very well be a disaster for GGPlay or flow well on GGPlay’s creativeness. I’m starting to have a sick feeling that GGPlay will come on top of Fantasy under pressure.

      HC’s Pick: GGPlay

Post Note:

Anything goes for this series. It is important for both players to gain the early edge and maintain their comfort zones. GGPlay needs to play aggressive this time around, while Fantasy should keep his patience and adapt through scouting.

                                                Group B - Best vs Stork @ Oct 24th:

First Glance –

This will be an epic one. This should be the game of the tournament. These two men have the most speculation to win that OSL title over the other bracket. The true PvP king will be crowned and this is not the time to choke or screw up. Best is currently running on a 14 PvP game winning streak with a stunning 83% rate. Stork is no stranger to PvP with a 65% win rate. Best has been hot in PvT lately but haven’t been able to play against Protoss in a little while. Stork on the other hand just came off a series with Bisu to reach this point, thus he should be more comfortable.

Game 1 – Chupung-Ryeong
Expect to see some early game aggression and cheese. Either proxy gates or proxy robotics will warp into our minds. Stork seems more fitting in using this strategy and it is sketchy if Best can handle any cheese.

      HC’s Pick: Stork

Game 2 – Medusa

Best will probably go for a FE build on this one, while Stork may try to go aggressive on this one. Best is capable of handling early aggression and will gain the early economic lead.

[indnet]HC’s Pick: Best

Game 3 – Return of the King
Stork is 2-0 PvP on this map, while Best played on this map only once. This game will rely on both map control and scouting. Best certainly excels in this particular area. Reaver/storm drops look tough to pull off on this one and if it ever happens, it will be a suicide.

      HC’s Pick: Best

Game 4 – Plasma

Best will be happy to be protected and safely plant his first nexus before gateway. Stork probably knows this and will go for something tricky with a shuttle. Harass looks to be the key on this game.

      HC’s Pick: Stork

Game 5: Chupung-Ryeong
This will be the big epic game to end off the series. Both players cannot afford to do any risky moves in the early game this time. Reavers will be dropped here and there. Dark and High Templars will be dropped here and there. Storms will be unleashed here and there. Zealots and Goons will clash. And thus, the PvP will be crowned!

      HC’s Pick: Best

Post Note:

Prepare to watch some real Starcraft here. Best will most probably lose his winning streak but the OSL title is much more important than that. The crowning of the PvP king will take place and either man can very well be the next OSL champion. This will go down in the history books folks!

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                                                      Who Will Be the Legend?

Enjoy the Semi-Finals! Be there!

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Initial_H.C.

[OSL] Leading into Semi-Finals

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