050205 SKY Team ProLeague Interviews (KOR)

Interview with KOR’s head coach

-You were able to finally win.
KOR (Lee-Myung-Geun) – Every game I felt like collapsing with anticipation. The opponent was KTF who’s extremely strong, so we concentrated mainly on the team plays. We felt confident on the team plays but we lost some. All 7 games the atmosphere was incredibly tense. When we stood at the final stage I looked back at 5 years of hard work and wondered why I worked so hard. I realized it was for this moment.

-When did you feel most tired?
KOR – When the trusted 4th game Qoo)Max/Side team failed. Probably they felt bad themselves.

- And when did u feel like you could win?
KOR – When we grabbed the 6th team play game. Because we trust in cha-jae-ook (ClouD) a lot… I thought we could win. When we went into the sixth game I told them lets keep pushing into the 7th game.

-How did u practice
KOR – Due to the low amount of members, each person was in charge of what they had to do, and we were able to find practice help from other teams.

- What did you say to your players before the games started.
KOR – I didn’t say much because I didn’t want to put too much pressure on them. I just ordered them to relax. I believed that as long as we can relax, we can win.

- You benefited a lot from the ook brothers (It took me forever to understand what this meant, cuz literally they said ookburados (욱브라더스)… and I was like… wtf? The Ook brothers refers to ClouD and iOi, because their Korean names are Cha-jae-OOK/Cloud, and Ha-Dong-OOK/iOi[Alive])
KOR- ook brothers... Hmm ClouD was someone who stuck with us and played strategic terran. When we recruited iOi[Alive] they had a similar style. But they pulled out each other’s weakness and absorbed their strengths. ClouD was the first to realize his weakness and after that his skill sky-rocketed.
- It seems that KOR’s trade mark is a comeback victory.
KOR – Each game we chose who to put out. Everytime we filled the back with okburadus (there it is again), we didn’t plan it but as we strategize we always ended with a comeback victory strategy. If it’s not a comeback it’s a total loss. It’s a double-bladed strat.

- It must feel different to be able to enter into the GrandFinal
KOR – They say that KOR plays strong vs strong teams and plays weak vs weak teams. But now are we not qualified as a strong team? Now that we’re mixed in with all the power houses we’ll show them what a real strong team is made of.

- Personally who are you proud of?
KOR – I’m proud of all of them. But to chose one I would have to say Zeus. As he grabbed the first game we were in the lead and excited the team. I believed Zeus will come back to the top.

- They say when you win the finals you’re suppose to shed tears.
KOR – I almost did (laughs). During the interview my throat was very dry. Right when I felt like showing some tears the interview ended (laughs). The camera just turned away.
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Interview with Zeus

- You said u didn’t feel confident, but u were chosen for the first game.
Zeus – Actually I wanted to game on a different specific map. But as my rank kept getting pushed around I was chosen for the first game, (laughs) I’m kidding. Actually I said I felt confident on island maps so when I was told to play the first game I was happy.

- You must of felt a lot of pressure on the firs game.
Zeus – It wasn’t like that. The pressure is the same for everyone. Every game is equally important in the finals. Actually I was more relaxed. I use to shake so much at previous finals (laughs).

- What went through your mind when u found out your opponent was Kang-min (Nal_Ra)
Zeus – Not much. I was just zoned out and thought “it’s PvP…” It was weird. 2 days ago I suddenly had an urge to play against protoss and so practiced that match up a lot. It’s so ironic that I got a PvP matchup.

- You said you wanted to play against Hong-jin-ho (YellOw)
Zeus – Still I met him at battle.net. He said “come out on the first game” so I was looking forward to it (laughs). But we have no grudge against each other. I wish the fans won’t get the wrong idea. We’re very friendly. (as people say it’s not like that) was it just me (laughs).

- It was your first Championship. Last year around this time you were in second place.
Zeus – There was a flood of emotion. Last year was very depressing and exhausting… now I feel great. I’m proud to take first place in front of my teammates, coach, head coach, and fans.

- Last thing you wish to say?
Zeus – I had no clue winning would feel this good. I wished we didn’t have to go to Cloud’s game. During the profile pictures I asked ClouD for an MVP badge but he refused. I want an MVP badge too. (laughs) Can nothing be done (laughs).
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Interview with iOi[Alive]

- How did u feel when u found out you’re up against Back-Jung-suk (Reach)
iOi – I felt confident because I practiced a lot with Zeus. And then I came out targeting Reach in the third game. I studied his style and I noticed he did a lot of cliff gates on that map, so I altered my build to match it. I knew I could win if I would be able to break through with marine/medic so I stuck to a bionic build.

- You were in charge of bringing KOR forward as the third player.
iOi – Not only me but everyone had to sacrifice themselves and work hard. Fortunately I was disqualified for all other leagues so I was able to concentrate on one thing, the proleague.

- What’s reason for your recent wins.
iOi – As I said before my practice style changed. Instead of just practicing massively I believe studying the opponent styles and patterns is also important. So lately I’ve been spending a lot of time on studying the opponent than practicing massively.

- You seem to be gaining much experience from ClouD.
iOi – That’s exactly the situation. We’re both improving from the rivalry. Right now ClouD is the ace, but I’m practicing a lot to take that spot from him. (laughs)

- Any last words?
iOi – There were a lot of people watching despite the cold weather. I am incredibly thankful and happy. I didn’t get a chance to say thank you so I’ll use this opportunity to express my gratitude. We were able to win today thanks to the fans who cheered on KOR. We are the best. We won’t be blinded by this victory and work just as hard on the GrandFinals.
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Interview with Side

- It was the first time in the finals as a team. As the leader you must have felt pressured.
Side – The pressure was high but I’m glad we won first place. I’m not sure why I’m so happy (laughs). It doesn’t feel that great.

- Today’s team play wasn’t too great.
Side – Our best combo felt too much pressure to play normally. I feel responsible for not knowing that. It was my fault. I should have gotten them to relax before gaming but I wasn’t able to do so.
The second team play went as planned. But we didn’t work together well, I guess it’s because we weren’t use to each other. Our attack timings were horrible.

- Your third team play was great.
Side – Our third strategy hit the bulls eye. It was a strategic victory. I didn’t expect the barracks to break but when it did I thought we lost (laughs).
- Last words?
Side - Hexatron’s love[30D.O.M], and SouL’s TheWind, teams with good teamplay helped us a lot. I am so grateful. I’m also grateful for the KOR fans. We were able to find strengths from the cheering that came from them that didn’t let us lose. We will make 2005 the year of KOR starting with today’s victory.
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Interview with YellOw[NamE] (as most of you know, this is NOT [nC]…YellOw, aka KTF_YellOw aka omfg-he-didn’t-get-a-1v1 (j/k)
[no pic available]
- It was your first final as a team.
YellOw[NamE] – I havn’t participated in many main draws but we still were able to get to the finals. So I wanted to do real good here. I feel bad about losing a game to further our lead, but I’m still happy we won.

- Do you have any regrets from today’s play?
YellOw[NamE] – I prepared my strat to fight 9 drone strats (9 pool). I expected my opponent to take the 9 pool strat but instead he took his natural expo, so I was flustered. Orginially we were planning on a 3 barracks spark rush (more like a strike). We were confused once again when we saw cannons were built first. Things like that really messed our plan up.

- How does the team victory feel?
YellOw[NamE] – It’s a completely different feeling than last year’s second place feeling. It feels so good to win.
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Interview with ClouD

- How does it feel to achieve third round final MVP (not sure what they’re talking about myself… explain someone plz?)
ClouD – Honestly that wasn’t my goal. iOi’s win over Reach is what really gave us hope. I feel sorry for iOi because I feel like I took the MVP award from him.

- How did u feel on the 7th game against ChoJJa?
ClouD – I felt so nervous it wasn’t even funny. (laughs) The mouse setting wasn’t right so that didn’t help. I kept thinking I had to win after setting it right.
- Did u expect to meet against ChoJJa?
ClouD – I expected a protoss or terran. When I heard the entry I had to put together a last minute build.

- When cought the sunken colony and lurkers did u feel any pressure.
ClouD – I did, but just incase I wanted to do as much damage as possible.

- You are now in the Grand Finals, what’s your goal?
ClouD – We still had to fight against KTF, I thought we should be able to win with a 4:3 and I was right. Honestly I think KTF made many mistakes. I’m hoping to use today’s victory as a stepping stone and win at the Grand Finals and give-up fewer games.

- How do you feel to be the last player to play.
ClouD – It was possible because my teammates believed in me and my head coach trusted me. I feel comfortable because I feel like I was able to give them something in return.

- When did you realize you won
ClouD – I felt it when his sunken colony and lurker fell. After he typed GG and I soaked it in I almost started to cry. But as a dae-goo sana-ee (gae-goo is a city, sanai means tough guy. He basically means as a proud daegoo man) I held it in. (laughs)

- There was a rumor that you were feeling sick before the game.
ClouD – I really was hurt. But I didn’t want show a sign of weakness before the game and cause trouble.

- Your future goals?
ClouD – It was a first time team victory. I wish we were to be the best team. Due to today’s victory the team’s celebration is bursting through the sky. Grand Final ofcourse, but I’m planning on winning the Team League as well. Currently I have no single league to participate in so I can concentrate on this.

- Did you think your team was able to win before you the games started today.
ClouD – I thought it was 50/50. I expected a complete win on all the team battles. Ironically we won more single battles than we did team battles. Zeus’s and iOi’s wins were a huge impact.

- Who are you most thankful to.
ClouD – I thank my parents. When I told them I want to become a progamer they backed me up. I would also like to “throw the ball” to my Head Coach, teammates, and fans (as in thank them).

-What do you plan on doing with the prize money.
ClouD – I’ll buy my teammates something good to eat. (laughs)
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Interview with Qoo)Max

- It was your greatest achievement since you became a progamer.
Max – I don’t think it’s even a year since I joined KOR. But to already experience a first place prize as part of the team feels so good. When our victory was secured I was so happy I couldn’t speak.

- When you lost the 4th and 5th game you seemed to be sweating all over.
Max – How did you know. (laughs) When I lost the 5th game I reall was sweating head to foot. I had no clue you could get so exhausted from only 2 games. I couldn’t even speak. When Side started patting me on the back was I able to come back to my senses. Before the game I had one thing on my mind. When Side saw the entries before the games he wished “please let’s make it to the 7th game”. Because it was zerg I said I will win and play as if my life depended on it. Because of that I had to win the 6th match.

- In the 6th game, when the barracks fell you seemed flustered.
Max – You’re very observant. (laughs) It wasn’t suppose to break but it did. With 4 scv’s I was suppose to be able to block it but my timing was a little late. But the impact did help. Once it broke it was sort of a wakeup call and I was able to pull my self together.

- Your parents seemed so happy.
Max – Actually because of this game I had a lot of fights with my parents. In fact there was a time when my parents took the computer and chucked it. They told me to use my time on studying rather than gaming. But studying isn’t my strength. I feel happy because I feel I succeeded in something I chose to do. I think they are happy for me for that reason aswell.

- Any last words?
Max – After winning the championship I want to feel this feeling again. Since we won first place in the third round there’s the Grand Final left. I want to thank my Head Coach, teammates for being there and I want to express my gratitude towards the KOR fans who supported us all the way.

Original Interview from www.FighterForum.com
Pictures from http://www.e-sports.or.kr/progamer/progamer.html and www.fighterforum.com
Translated by Live2Win

050205 SKY Team ProLeague Interviews (KOR)

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