sSak: "I'm deeply moved by my first championship."
Terran sSak claimed his first individual league championship since his debut. On February 15th, sSak edged out Last---known for his masterful TvT---in dramatic fashion by a score of 3-2 at Jamsil Students' Gymnasium. He did so by sharply digging his claws into his opponent's weaknesses.
sSak never got to shine as a backup member on SK Telecom T1 during his days as a pro gamer. This victory is his greatest achievement since his official retirement.
"It feels like a dream," sSak said. "I want to double up by winning Sbenu StarLeague Season 2, which will be held in the not-too-distant future."
Q: Any thoughts on your victory?
A: It feels like a dream. I am very happy to be the winner of the first Sonic StarLeague to be broadcasted on Ongamenet.
Q: Did you have a good dream last night? Did IU appear in your dreams?
A: Perhaps it was just nerves, but I could not sleep a wink last night. There was no time to dream. I was practicing up until the moment I had to leave to come to the stadium.
Q: Last is known to be a formidable force in TvT.
A: Many people said that Last was strong at TvT, but I was confident. I knew that I would have the advantage if things progressed plainly. Prior to today's finals, I studied every TvT VOD of Last since his debut. I discovered that his play was predictable every time. I was able to win today because I targeted those predictable parts. (T/N: It is interesting that he says this. Last said the same about sSak in a pre-game interview with OGN.)
Q: How did you practice?
A: I practiced mostly with Sharp ahead of the finals. He was very helpful.
Q: What was the most difficult match for you?
A: Today's matches were the toughest. I was so nervous after falling behind 1-2. Last had tailored his play to counter the strategy that I always use. (T/N: 1 factory double, the same opening build in all five games) I tried to create more variables with my vulture play and it worked.
Q: It reminded us of Fantasy. Did you get any special advice from him?
A: After I advanced to the finals, I privately met with Fantasy. He didn't help me with practice, but he recommended some builds and cheered me on.
Q: What will you buy with your 20 million KRW winnings?
A: I will put half of it into savings. With the rest, I will buy some meals for the folks who helped me out. I would also like to take a trip.
Q: We heard that the next season is supposed to begin very soon. You may not be able to travel very far from home.
A: I will receive a seed, so I will have enough time to enjoy myself. I want to travel within Korea.
Q: What is the greatest obstacle that stands in the way of you becoming a consecutive champion of Sbenu StarLeague?
A: I think that I would be worried if Bisu were to participate next season. He still shows great form when he plays on his personal stream. I don't know if he will participate though.
Q: Any closing words?
A: This is the first time that my parents were able to enjoy the finals live since my pro gamer days. I was not able to do anything for my girlfriend for over a month. Since I will now have a short respite, I will try to become a good boyfriend to her again. I want to tell my parents and girlfriend that I love them.
T/N=translator note Credits: Source // Nam Yun-seong of Daily eSports SSL banner: DiMiaN
Thanks lemmata! Pretty good interview. The next starleague starting soon? I didn't realize that was the case. sSak played his heart out (like Last) and just played better all around. From the games, it seems that the major thing that he did well was attack Last whenever he moved out with small vulture squads and that played a big role in his wins (eco leads etc...).
On February 16 2015 10:13 BigFan wrote: Thanks lemmata! Pretty good interview. The next starleague starting soon? I didn't realize that was the case. sSak played his heart out (like Last) and just played better all around. From the games, it seems that the major thing that he did well was attack Last whenever he moved out with small vulture squads and that played a big role in his wins (eco leads etc...).
Well with EffOrt and JangBi already confirmed, we do want to restore the tradition of 3 OSLs a year, right?
I love to see them spending so much time on practicing in this SSL, it means they really care about achieving great results. Can't wait for the next season of SSL, I'm pretty sure the practicing will get even more important, increasing the quality of games for us viewers .
I'm so happy for sSak. He has been doing consistently well since the early days of sospa.
On a side note, I think I've been liquidbetting on ssak almost every time... For whatever reason I didnt in the finals. I'm glad that I got that wrong, though!
^ I might consider streaming and do a live cast and text/voice translation on Korean SC BW material/videos like these. Currently busy with something but I watched first 4-5 minutes and it was interesting to see what the video is about. I'll keep posted once I do take the time to watch video or stream later regarding video.
Prior to today's finals, I studied every TvT VOD of Last since his debut. I discovered that his play was predictable every time. I was able to win today because I targeted those predictable parts.
Dedication to Starcraft right here. o.o
Q: It reminded us of (T)Fantasy. Did you get any special advice from him?
A: After I advanced to the finals, I privately met with Fantasy. He didn't help me with practice, but he recommended some builds and cheered me on.
Shades of FanTaSy were everywhere on those games. Jung Laden!
LOL sSak didnt make a thing for his girlfriend for one month, go fk ur girl dawg, do it like a champ :D Fun interview, glad that people are happy, hope that bastard play good the other season of SSL like a real champion.
On February 17 2015 02:08 TaShadan wrote: Nice. I wonder how many people were in the audience! Does someone have numbers?
I 'm interested in the same thing.
Mr. Wi Yeonggwang, the chief producer (CP) at Ongamenet, said in a recent interview that he was stunned to see that the public's interest in the Sbenu StarLeague was as hot as their interest in League of Legends (!!!), which is the hottest eSport in Korea at the moment.
He also warned that he wasn't sure if this was sustainable, but I think it's quite significant that Mr. Wi compared Sbenu StarLeague to LoL. The fact that Season 2 is planned does seem to indicate that the numbers were good enough.
On February 17 2015 02:08 TaShadan wrote: Nice. I wonder how many people were in the audience! Does someone have numbers?
I 'm interested in the same thing.
Mr. Wi Yeonggwang, the chief producer (CP) at Ongamenet, said in a recent interview that he was stunned to see that the public's interest in the Sbenu StarLeague was as hot as their interest in League of Legends (!!!), which is the hottest eSport in Korea at the moment.
He also warned that he wasn't sure if this was sustainable, but I think it's quite significant that Mr. Wi compared Sbenu StarLeague to LoL. The fact that Season 2 is planned does seem to indicate that the numbers were good enough.
Wohooooooooo broodwar fighting The second rise of BW so strong, just like a phoenix. Now all we need is sponsors to return to funding pro gaming houses for BW and nothing is lost.
On February 17 2015 02:08 TaShadan wrote: Nice. I wonder how many people were in the audience! Does someone have numbers?
I 'm interested in the same thing.
Mr. Wi Yeonggwang, the chief producer (CP) at Ongamenet, said in a recent interview that he was stunned to see that the public's interest in the Sbenu StarLeague was as hot as their interest in League of Legends (!!!), which is the hottest eSport in Korea at the moment.
He also warned that he wasn't sure if this was sustainable, but I think it's quite significant that Mr. Wi compared Sbenu StarLeague to LoL. The fact that Season 2 is planned does seem to indicate that the numbers were good enough.
On February 17 2015 02:08 TaShadan wrote: Nice. I wonder how many people were in the audience! Does someone have numbers?
It's now been reported by the media that 2000 were in attendance.
Afreeca numbers seem to be 30,000 simultaneous viewers and 200,000 cumulative viewers (which counts the total number of users who visited Sonic's channel). We can probably add the numbers for any pro gamer who was streaming at that time since they were all watching Sonic's stream with their fans.
This doesn't count the OGN TV viewership or viewers on other platforms.
An interesting thing I read in the news: OGN said that while it is mostly sure that it can keep StarLeague on OGN as long as the sponsorship money keeps flowing, it couldn't say that with 100% certainty because broadcasting BW is a "sensitive issue" with regards to their "business relationship with Blizzard."
I hope they'll work things out in advance so that this doesn't become a problem.
On February 20 2015 13:35 GeLaar wrote: Fucking Blizzard...
To be fair, they didn't say that Blizzard did anything. It could all just be in their heads.
That's true, but given Blizzard's heavy handedness in the past regarding Brood War, I doubt that OGN is being needlessly paranoid.
Sueing KeSPA for broodwar was probably the worst thing blizzard could have done. Not only did they damage the BW scene they also put off some people from transitioning into SCII.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/QDmKbFa.png)
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sSak claimed his first individual league championship since his debut. On February 15th, sSak edged out 
Bisu were to participate next season. He still shows great form when he plays on his personal stream. I don't know if he will participate though.
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