[Winner's Int] SSL Group Semifinals

[Itembay] Goo Sung Hoon (HiyA), "Park Jun Oh (Killer) come up and face me!"



      Ex-Hwaseung Oz terran Hiya has reached an individual league finals after his retirement from progaming. From other ex-progamers that participated in the 8th Itembay Sonic Starleague, Hiya battled against past STX Soul/Team 8 progamer Jo Il Jang (hero), and showed perfect game play and took the victory 3-0.

      Hiya mentions, "Since Hero doesn't have a variety of play styles, having more options than him was key. I hope Killer moves on to the finals."

Q. You've reached an individual league finals stage after retiring, your thoughts?
Hiya - When I participated in this season of SSL, I didn't think I was good enough to win it. I heard other streamers will participate and seeing all the players that moved onto the main stage it felt like playing on OGN/MBC Game studios again. My mindset feels like it reverted back to when I was a progamer and that gave me more motivation for this season.

Q. When it was decided you were to play against Hero, how did you feel?
Hiya - Hero is a skillful player. However he is a player that uses safe builds, so I was comfortable knowing that and that if I used standard builds I wouldn't lose to zerg.

Q. Your management play against zerg was perfect. Was it the results of your practice? I'm curious on how you prepared.
Hiya - Since there are so many people watching while I broadcast, I didn't practice much. There was an opportunity to practice with Killer yesterday, and we played on the semifinal maps. Before this session I thought, 'I could play normally and win easily' but during the practice the 3rd/4th map was horrible for terran. I played thinking I must win the 1st/2nd set and that was key.

[1-Neo Wind and Cloud, 2-Fighting Spirit, 3-Andromeda, 4-Pamir Plateau, 5-Heartbreak Ridge]

Q. In the 1st set you chose an outdated 2 barracks build order. Did you use this to put him off balance?
Hiya - I wanted to use this 2 barracks build on a different map. The drone scout and overlord scouting was so late I got the feeling. I was totally confident this was going to work.

Q. In the 2nd you showed a perfect transition and dropship play.
Hiya - On a map like 'Fighting Spirit' it's a favorable map for terrans against zerg. Hero's first 2 zerglings in the entrance was to stop my scouting. Hero likes using 3 hatchery builds so I believed he used it. Normally I like using marine-medic combo but it felt a bit tough in the late game so while I was in a favorable spot I transitioned into mechanic.

Q. When Hero used a lurker contain strategy in the 3rd set, you played calm and collected. Did you look out for this?
Hiya - I had it in mind but it came earlier than I expected so I was slightly surprised. When he contained me, I broke his contain with one try so I could play comfortably afterwards.

Q. Your finals opponent hasn't been decided yet, from Killer and Choi Ho Sun (sSak) who would you prefer? Be honest!
Hiya - Of course for me I want Killer to move on. Personally I don't like TvT much. I don't like big army battles in the late game. I want to have a fierce match with Killer in the finals.

Q. The finals will be held on June 1st at Kwangwoon University. It feels like you need to gather your 10,000 fans. A word to your fans.
Hiya - I'm half worried and half excited. Through online people have cheered me on a lot, I hope they come to the finals stage too, please cheer me on.

Q. Anything else you want to mention?
Hiya - Practicing hard and without realizing it I'm already in the finals. I will definitely win.

[Itembay] Park Jun Oh, "My match with Hiya-*sunbae will be exciting"

[*T/N: Sunbae is a denomination that refers to your seniors in work/school etc]



      Ex-Hwaseung Oz players Killer and Hiya will battle it out in the finals. The coming June 1st at the Seoul Kwangwoon University Auditorium is where the Itembay Sonic Starleague finals will be held, the finalists are both past Hwaseung Oz A-Team players and they have both been performing the best in this Starleague so it looks to gather lots of attention from the public.

      Killer had sharp analysis and his improvised reactions in his semifinals match against Ssak. Showing his impressive skill it hyped up the finals match between him and Hiya.

Q. You've entered the finals 2 seasons in a row.
Killer - There were so many skilled players this season so I wasn't sure if I could reach the finals. I tried to focus on the games and I'm happy I won.

Q. Your ZvT today was flawless. How did you prepare.
Killer - I approached the game with an impromptu style. I was lucky every set so I think that helped too.

Q. You tied Ssak up in his base with your aggressive mutalisks play in the 1st set.
Killer - I felt like playing a management style in the 1st set was tough so I used a strategic play. Thankfully my strategy was better so I could win easily.

Q. Your performance in the 3rd game, you looked unstoppable.
Killer - It was hard to focus in the 3rd set. I thought I was behind so I made several small mistakes which made the game tougher, but I did my best and got the favorable result.

Q. Are you familiar with Ssak by chance? It seems like you know his playstyle in and out.
Killer - We weren't that friendly during our progamer days but recently we've gotten to know each other. I knew his common play style already. As expected of an ex-SK Telecom pro he uses a variety of strategies hard to play against. I expected a hard fought match but I was lucky. Because of my counter play it only seemed like I knew my opponent well.

Q. The finals will be held on June 1st at Kwangwoon University. If you could say a word to the fans to attend.
Killer - For people that enjoy Starcraft:Brood War it's a good tournament for them. The players are improving little by little. The important thing should be not just us improving, but if the fans send us even bigger support it will be more enjoyable and I'm sure the players will perform even better.

Q. You're playing against another ex-Hwaseung player Hiya in the finals.
Killer - It will be fun. With this finals match up, I can't wait to play him. To obtain two SSL titles in a row I will practice hard.

Q. When you were both at Hwaseung, how was your head to head win rate?
Killer - If I remember correctly we were around 50:50.

Q. Do you plan on calling other past Hwaseung players to the venue?
Killer - If they are available I want to organize a meetup with all the past Hwaseung players.

Q. Any last words.
Killer - I will practice hard and win my 2nd finals in a row.