EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QDmKbFa.png)
The first day of the round of 16 is over and the SSL returns back to OGN's studio and Koreans can finally enjoy some televized Brood War again. DES intreviewed the winners of the first day of matches,
Mong, who isn't rumored to have been too hungry to stay the extra five minutes but only because we all know it's the only plausible explanation.Just found Mong's interview, it just hasn't been properly tagged.
Mong didn't have much trouble beating 
Movie on Return of the King. He had even less trouble dealing with the bigass bottle of sports drink he brought into his booth and the interview that came next.![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/Mong_ro16_day1.jpg)
What do you think of your first win in the round of 16?
A good start feels nice. There are two more games in the round of 16 and I think I'll be able to play comfortably.
What do you think of your nickname the Online FlaSh?
I am truly comfortable playing games online. I feel like I know the game when I play, too. As for the offline stage, I lack the experience and it's intimidating. Thinking I have to do well on one hand and feeling the pressure on the other, I get very nervous. But it's getting a lot better these days.
Does the experience of a forfeit loss in the official competition haunt you?
I once suffered a forfeit loss in Mullae-dong (
HERO Center). Rather than the fear of that, I'm trembling from the lack of experience.You beat Movie.
If you split this map in half it only gets better for the Terran. Even though it would be unfavorable I was thinking of going all the way into the 200 supply fights. I thought I would win a split map scenario.
You defended the two shuttle agression well.
I instantly looked at my bunker. I knew I would hold as long as I watched over the SCVs repairing it.
You will keep facing Protoss.
I'm okay with that. I think the best player in our group is Younghwa hyung (Movie). He is the most famous among the three and I consider him the best player skill-wise as well. Since I beat Younghwa hyung I think I'll be able to do well.
After you won you drank a big bottle of sports drink. Was that a service to FlaSh?
That's not really it. I normally drink the sports drink rather than water. I drank from a big bottle because of my body size. When I drink from a small one my viewers ask me why I drink such small sized drinks. They say I have to dring big because of my size.
You were unable to get big results in Sonic Starleagues so far.
In the
FIX Starleague I got to the round of 8. I think I'll be able to make round of 8 easily in this season as well.Anything you want to add?
I had games over the weekends and Christmas vacation as well and my girlfriend was always cheering on me. I want to thank her and all of my other friends cheering on me.
Source: DES
free saved the Protoss from humiliation by beating PianO in the second game of the round of 16 despite his not particularly effective early game agression and PianO's factory in his base in a hilarious game on Blue Storm. free can't wait to face JangBi next.![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/free_ro16_day1.jpg)
Start by sharing your impressions upon winning.
I think I started off on the right foot. PianO was on the same team. I feel sorry but I'll do well in the remaining games as well.
7-Pylon 7-gate strategy?
I came prepared. I burned the midnight oil watching old VODs and so I ended up preparing an agressive strategy.
Blue Storm.
Protoss deserves a good start on this map. There's not a lot Protoss can do. The idea was that even if it gets defended I can still do well. The enemy coped well himself.
If you were to predict the remaining games.
I want to settle things with JangBi. Is it not a significant match? It's the clash of Dragons. I want to win that and advance to the round of 8. Then I want to play a fun game with Mind.
It's been a long time since you played at OGN's stage.
I only qualified for a Starleague twice. After a long time I felt like it's the progaming era again so it's nice. Many fans came, too. It brought back many memories.
Any final words?
I practised with Mong and we both won so that turned out well. Gi Seok (
Sharp) helped me practise until dawn. I'll buy him something tasty. I hope he will help me in the future as well.T/N: Unlike with Sharp, he refered to Mong formally, despite both being four years younger than him so presumably that reflects their relationships.
Source: DES
sSak was comfortable going into his game against 
hero on Fighting Spirit and he easily disposed of the Zerg with a deadly pre-hive timing. Besides teaching us that tanks > sunkens, sSak also reveals hero's biggest weakness.![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/sSak_ro16_day1.jpg)
Thoughts on winning?
I was quite worried today. I couldn't sleep a wink before coming here. Still, my performance turned out well so I'm satisfied.
Why were you worrying?
I didn't feel well. My sleeping pattern these days includes going to bed at dawn and waking up late and I couldn't fall asleep yesterday morning. The fact that we're playing at Yongsan stadium has also been driving me crazy.
You said you were pleased with your game.
The Zerg player Larva helped me and the game went the way I prepared. hero always plays the same. I thought there would be no variables at play.
Do you happen to know your personal record against him?
I don't know it exactly. I just know that I won a lot of games. I won most of the recent ones.
T/N: According to SoSPA TLPD, sSak has a 16 wins - 5 losses (76.19%) record against hero, having only dropped a single game in the last thirteen.
For your next match you'll be facing the champion of the third SSL,
Sea.KH.The map favors Terran so I think I'm going to win.
T/N: They'll be playing on Return of the King - KeSPA PvT: 46-61 (43%), SoSPA PvT: 1-2 (33.3%)
Your goal for this Starleague?
I am confident in passing through the round of 16. As long as the maps will help me I think I will be able to go all the way to the finals. Even if I didn't win I would like to play in the finals.
How is streaming?
I don't have many viewers. My style is mainly just playing games so I'm not very popular.
Anything else you want to add?
I often beat hero when it counted. I feel sorry for beating him again today.
Source: DES
The highlight of the first day was without a doubt the last game between
GuemChi and Last on Sin Peaks of Baekdu. If you didn't watch it yet, go see it here. GuemChi earlier announced he would shave his head if he doesn't make round of 8.![[image loading]](/staff/Stratos/SSL10_DES_Interviews/GuemChi_ro16_day1.jpg)
You're another step away from having to shave your head, thoughts?
I said this in the live streamed interview as well, but the opponent used the only build I didn't expect and prepare for. I think heaven helped me win the game.
Your shuttle-reaver control was refined.
I wanted to win to avoid shaving my head. I kept saying that to myself. I think it showed in the game.
Many people consider Sin Peaks of Baekdu a Protoss favored map.
If Protoss get carriers they rule the battlefield. I felt that I could lose if I played safe so I decided for atypical play but with the opponent giving me tit for tat it was difficult. I heard that Last practised really hard. His aims to become the champion so he's working hard but fortunately I won.
You drank an energy drink before the match.
I mainly drink Hot 6. I had two cans today. Just one doesn't seem enough. You end up sharing with people around you so two cans seem appropriate. My fridge at home is also packed with Hot 6 cans. It feels like I'm getting addicted.
T/N: No related banner on GuemChi's afreeca page?!
You will be facing Larva next.
He's the most dreaded player. I think I'll have to suffer through his ceremony if I lose. He seems to be the most skilled player in our group.
Who did you practise with?
sSak helped me practise despite playing today as well. I am also thankful to Sharp.
Anything you want to add?
A married hyung and noona that I'm close friends with came to the stadium to cheer on me and also brought me a hot pack. I think I was able to win because of this. I'm thankful.
Source: DES
Original interviews by Daily eSports journalist Lee Won Hee - cleanrap@dailygame.co.kr
Note: The short introductions are not translations, only the actual interviews.
SSL banners by: DiMiaN
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images/8/8b/FreeDragon.png)
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images/3/37/JangbiDragon.png)
