The OnGameNet StarLeague Finals. The crossroads of destiny. The moment of truth for so many bold souls before, and - hopefully - a lot more to follow. Hopefully, since, with SCII looming above us, who knows how many such tournaments are still to be held? It's hard to predict clearly what the future holds, but consider this: what if this is one of the last OSL Finals ever? What if the predictions are true, and we're witnessing the last few culminations of this Epic Title? What if SCII comes out in about a year from now and takes the place of the Giant? Will this OSL be one of the last three? Last five?
Or will it continue to live on and dominate like it did all the years before? Who knows...
Regardless of what the future brings, the present is a fact. And the fact is, StarCraft: BroodWar is on the PEAK of it's life-run right now. All the previous events on the timeline of BW's existence are included in this one moment. 9 years of cumulative experience are standing behind The Game. The players are meticulous in their training, deadly in their execution, imaginative to the brink of sanity in their development of new strategies. 9 years of play, research, exploration, perfection.
And no podium higher in the history of StarCraft to boil down all the best characteristics of a competitive gamer than the OnGameNet StarLeague Finals...
And here we are once again folks. The Finals. It doesn't get any better than this. Any higher than this. Or more noble, more prestigious than this...
This StarLeague has witnessed it all. The Great Olds. The Dominating Youngs. Who could have possibly predicted this outcome? We know the answer, don't we? Nobody could. Why, with all the grand names in the pool, who would have thought? Reach, NaDa, Casy - seasoned veterans always capable to show form beyond human limits. Stork, Bisu, sAviOr - their domination seemed absolute these days, none would willingly want to stand in their path.
Who would have thought the Finals would boil down to these two? These? Who are they? Where do they come from? How in the world did they get here? Against THOSE odds?
Well, let's see...
The Players.
IriS - 변형태 - Byun Hyung Tae
20 years of age, the young Byun never had an easy life. Born to the slums of Seoul, Byun's day to day routine was a struggle for his very existence.
Always a bit on the silent side, he endured many ridicules his early years - his complexion often made mockery of. Bitter with his fate, Byun decided to part ways with his parental hell-hole and look for a way to earn a living on the streets. After years of pointless wandering he was picked up by the leader of the street gang CJ Entus, who was famous for lifting up the fallen and downtrodden kids off the street and provide them with shelter and opportunities to prove themselves. For this reason, he was known on the streets as Savior.
However, life was still not an easy givings for the young Byun. Savior demanded from the kid - in exchange for the shelter and food he provided - that he performs in the bloody street-brawl tournament series called BroodWar. These brutal exhibitions provided money to the gang, and a chance of survival for Byun, and so he fought with all he had, and more...
Soon, the real power of the young boy was apparent. The aggression and anger of his early years culminated in powerful rage apparent in his gameplay style earned him the nickname Berserker, replacing the former, affectionate nick IriS, given him by Savior in the early days.
In 2006, as IriS plunged into the depths of the most prestigious tourney of BroodWar - the OSL - he was stopped cold by his mentor, sAviOr, who then proceeded to win the tourney. Defeated and bitter, deafened by the shouts of the crowd and blinded by the lights of the dome, IriS vowed he'd be back once more.
And back he was. Meeting his leader in the cage once again, IriS was not sure if he's confident enough. It was his master. It was his shadow he grew up in. How could he possibly defeat the undefeatable? But something snapped in him just then. It was just an instant, as he realized he was no longer a meek iris... He was a berserker. The bitter rage of the slums broke through, and an instant later, there lay his former master, at his feet... With the newly found power, Berserker tore his way through the next opponent he faced - Stork. "That was an easy prey" - he thought - "I can't lose anymore".
Carrying the fate of his mentor and friend, Byun was now on a killing spree. Standing in The Final Cage he thought - this is it. He was born for this. This is his fate, it can't be a coincidence. His mentor won't forgive him if he fails now. No, Byun wouldn't forgive it himself, either. Feeling as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders, and yet with rock-hard resolution in his heart, Byun was now ready. He'd unleash his rage once again, and beat the opponent into oblivion - regardless of who they are. He'd be the Berserker Champion.
IriS Hype Video (thx to VioleTAK):
GGPlay - 김준영 - Kim Joon Yung
Born into a wealthy family, his parents renowned artists, little Kim never lacked a thing in his life. Like a flower in a greenhouse, he grew up protected from the ugly sides of the world, surrounded by fine arts and luxury. From the earliest of his days, Kim's parents intended for him to become an artist just like them. They envisioned him standing on the Big Stage, to be a master at his game.
Later in his life, young Kim was sent to practice with the best teachers to the prestigious House of Hanbitstars, where he would learn the fine tunes of his art, under the meticulous guidance of his friends and mentors. With the continuous support of his parents and environment, Kim continued to grow into quite a formidable performer, and soon earned himself the nickname GGPlay, as his teachers often used to say "Hum, good, good..." watching him play.
But something was missing. Something was lacking in his game, he felt it. Something to make the leap from "good, good" to truly GREAT. Rumour has it, it was then that he learned, that somewhere in the deep slums of the city, there is a man whose art cannot be matched. Ma Jae Yoon, the True Maestro. Intrigued by this information, GGPlay found a new resolve. "I will overcome this Maestro" - he thought. He would prove that art is something beautiful, something studied your whole life, as piece by piece it grows into a fine-tuned orchestra of art.
Thus began GGPlay's rise to power. Driven by the thought of overcoming the art of his rival - whom he never even met - Kim was fixed on one objective, and one only: he HAD to stand on the big stage of the Grand OSL Concerto Hall. He had to be chosen to perform, and he had to perform so well - the title of Maestro would be his.
Kim's game was on an uprise from that moment on. His play was calculated, precise and perfected. Having outclassed several from his opposition, he finally had it within his grasp - the Grand Hall of OSL was now in front of him. The stage was illuminated, the crowd in silence. GGPlay would prove to them - he is the True Maestro, nobody else can compare.
GGPlay Hype Video (thx to VioleTAK):
The Game.
And thus here we are. Two unlikely finalists, against all hardships, face each other on the final stage. IriS weighs in at a delicate 50% (33-33) TvZ throughout his carrer. GGPlay is on an upswing with a 55% ZvT (35-29) in his. Yet IriS has just done the impossible - he knocked out sAviOr in a bo3 to get where he is. His overall performance this OSL is even more impressive: 7-2 altogether. GGPlay's record is 8-3 this season, just a tad worse.
Having ploughed through Shark, Bifrost, sAviOr and Stork, only losing a game to Reach and sAviOr, IriS is set to clench the final trophy. GGPlay has been on the brink of elimination on his path of the brackets however - having swept his opposition clean in form of Stork, Sea.Up and Casy in the group stages - he was hard pressed against Hwasin and Flash, 2-1 and 3-2 respectively. And even though GGPlay's opponents for the last 3 matches are all Terrans, it seems to me the brute strength and sheer aggressiveness of the Berserker will have an upper hand in this battle. If IriS doesn't get to force himself on the Zerg early however, the swarming orchestra might play him a tune he'll never forget.
The Setup
Game 1 - Python Game 2 - Fantasy Game 3 - Hitch Hiker Game 4 - Monty Hall Game 5 - Python
We can only hope to see these two perform on all 5 of the maps, and I predict it's going to happen. Both will probably have a trick or two prepared for certain situations, but I'd say that generally more drawn-out, power-hungry games are expected. And although I'm inclined to see IriS having an advantage when it comes to evaluation of recent form, there's no reason to count out GGPlay either.
Both players once overshadowed by the giant mountain that is sAviOr, both with an agenda to adhere to. Will IriS prove to be worthy of his team-mate's glory? Will he show that eliminating sAviOr was not a fluke? Or will GGPlay erase all doubt that he is indeed the one and true Maestro?
Amazing writeup, thanks a lot! Edit: I'll embed the hype videos that weren't used in the opening post. MEGA hype! :-) I'll have more coming in later posts.
Can't wait. The setting is perfect imho: a ZvT final, both players are "underdogs" in the sense that they always came far yet never reached the top and never had the recognition they deserve, and they are both highly skilled in this matchup, i.e. have equal chances. Exciting and intense games are waiting. Unless they cheese the whole time.
I hope GGplay wins... I always liked him since the wgtour days GO GGPLAY and ya that pic doesn't reflect his personality really well (from what we see on TV). He looks much more shy on tv.
It's time for one of these two to prove they've been champions of the game all along. I have absolutely no idea who to go for, as I've wanted to see both of them succeed in the finals of a major league for a long time. So long as the games are awesome, I'll be happy.
I just cant wait for this to begin! I've been looking forward to this so bad ever since lris won the semis, I did not see that coming, especially not that lris would win 3-0.
But I think GGplay has (some of) the best ZvT in the world right now, so I have big confidence in him. I know that GGplay havent had the best best ZvT stat in proleague, but we all know that players save there very best play for the individual tournaments.
propably going to be ggs but I would bet on Iris 3-0 See how GG-play barley beat by.flash and Hwasin, Iris TvZ is much better than both these players, and he won vs Savior. Iris knows his teammate to good, unluckly for Savior. Might have been different if it was bo5, never will know i guess. But imo best players didnt get trough in OSL cuz of maps like monthy hall and bo3 in the quarter-finals. If Bisu had won vs flash, i think he would have 3-0 GGplay without much problem, and even won the whole thing, not to mention that the finals actually would have been something to look forward to, cuz at this point it isnt. Level between Iris and GGplay is to big imo.
On July 18 2007 15:42 ThePhan2m wrote: propably going to be ggs but I would bet on Iris 3-0 See how GG-play barley beat by.flash and Hwasin, Iris TvZ is much better than both these players, and he won vs Savior. Iris knows his teammate to good, unluckly for Savior. Might have been different if it was bo5, never will know i guess. But imo best players didnt get trough in OSL cuz of maps like monthy hall and bo3 in the quarter-finals. If Bisu had won vs flash, i think he would have 3-0 GGplay without much problem, and even won the whole thing, not to mention that the finals actually would have been something to look forward to, cuz at this point it isnt. Level between Iris and GGplay is to big imo.
while iris has shown great form with his TvZ lately, it'd be a stretch to say that he's "much better" at that MU than hwasin.
On July 18 2007 15:42 ThePhan2m wrote: propably going to be ggs but I would bet on Iris 3-0 See how GG-play barley beat by.flash and Hwasin, Iris TvZ is much better than both these players, and he won vs Savior. Iris knows his teammate to good, unluckly for Savior. Might have been different if it was bo5, never will know i guess. But imo best players didnt get trough in OSL cuz of maps like monthy hall and bo3 in the quarter-finals. If Bisu had won vs flash, i think he would have 3-0 GGplay without much problem, and even won the whole thing, not to mention that the finals actually would have been something to look forward to, cuz at this point it isnt. Level between Iris and GGplay is to big imo.
while iris has shown great form with his TvZ lately, it'd be a stretch to say that he's "much better" at that MU than hwasin.
it is, however, correct to say that Iris is better suited and undoubtedly better prepared to fight a zerg with GGPlay's style
On July 18 2007 15:42 ThePhan2m wrote: propably going to be ggs but I would bet on Iris 3-0 See how GG-play barley beat by.flash and Hwasin, Iris TvZ is much better than both these players, and he won vs Savior. Iris knows his teammate to good, unluckly for Savior. Might have been different if it was bo5, never will know i guess. But imo best players didnt get trough in OSL cuz of maps like monthy hall and bo3 in the quarter-finals. If Bisu had won vs flash, i think he would have 3-0 GGplay without much problem, and even won the whole thing, not to mention that the finals actually would have been something to look forward to, cuz at this point it isnt. Level between Iris and GGplay is to big imo.
while iris has shown great form with his TvZ lately, it'd be a stretch to say that he's "much better" at that MU than hwasin.
Though I wouldn't say Iris is "much better" at the match-up than Hwasin, more recently a case can be made for such a claim; there is something I'd like to point out. In the last four leagues (This and last season's OSLs & MSLs) Hwasin was eliminated in three of them by Zerg players.
Match-Up Comparison
Shinhan 3 OSL: Hwasin Eliminated (0-2) by Zergman Iris would then defeat Zergman (2-1) in the very next round.
GOM TV MSL: Hwasin Eliminated (2-3) by Savior Iris lost to Savior (2-3) in the OSL, but these games were arguably more close/intense.
GOM TV 2 MSL: Hwasin Eliminated (2-3) by Bisu (not a zerg player) Iris was Eliminated by Keke in Survivor for this MSL Hwasin Defeated Keke in Group Stages
Daum OSL: Hwasin Eliminated (1-2) by GGPlay We will see how Iris stacks up this weekend!
edit: Iris is 9-9 this year vZ, while Hwasin is 12-8 vZ
GGPlay is 2-1 Lifetime v Iris, but Iris has the most recent game win against GGPlay (and it was a game on Hitchhiker, which will be played again)
Iris: " Proud, accomplished, respected... this is the man I want to be. I know that if I believe in myself and stay firm in that belief, I will become the person that I truly want to be."
GGPlay: "I thank the fans for watching over me, I am grateful. In this coming final battle, I promise not to disappoint."
I was waiting for this thread, wodnering wehre it was, i hope GGPlay takes this, even though i think iriS will do it, even if he did fluke saviors win, which i don't think he did, he still went 2-3 last time vs savior, something not many can do, and this time he beat him.
GGplay hasn't been playing well on Python and it is the map that comes out twice. I think as long as Iris doesn't choke he can dominate the mid-games and win (much as I'd like GGplay to). The way Iris has been looking recently he doesn't look likely to choke either.
I think GGplay will win, from what I have seen from Iris's TvZ, he seems to be only good againts Savior[gm]. When I saw his games vs Zergman. It was not quite the same, Zergman was a horrible excuse for TvZ which was his worst matchup, and yet he went 1:2 againts Iris, and Zergamn is below GGplay, Yarnc etc, and waaay below Savior but yet Iris still had some trouble againts him. And also don't forget Iris's game vs Shark and Odin. Not really top zergs but yet he won over Shark in a sloppy fashion, and lost to Odin like a noob. Iris also stated before the Shinhan OSL 3 semi-finals, that he won 50% or more of his games vs Savior or something like that (practice). So inconclusion, I don't think this is going to be too easy for Iris.
Just take note that just because Iris won over Savior deosn't mean its a free ticket to 1st place in this OSL or necessarily that Iris's TvZ is one of the best or top notch. We had yet to see Iris's TvZ games that did not include Savior but againts other top zergs until now, now we shall see if Iris really is a TvZ monster.
I'm kind of a fan of lris, but i'm a sucker for zerg. So I'll go for GGplay to take it.
btw, am I the only one that think there's no favorit and its just impossible to predict the winner this season? In the last finals it has (imo) been easier to predict or there has atleast been favorit. Like last OSL it was Nada vs Savior, and we had already see sav demolish Nada in the superfight, and everybody new savior was on fire... and it was basically the same for the MSL with Savior vs Bisu, were Savior was the clear favorit and everybody (including me thought he would take it), but this season, there's no favorit, and it could so easily go either way.
However I give the advantage to GGplay, since he has just showed damn amazing ZvT lately.
Goddamn this is going to be insane. GGplay has the stats and the consistent showing in ZvT of late. The problem for me is despite all this and the fact I want him to win ... it's Iris. He's proven he can bring the very best to a final. Betting against an ANGRY Terran on methamphetamines when Iris has already taken out Savior and Stork seems one risky move to play.
i think ggplay has it, due to the fact that he came out of a group with sea.up, casy, and then knocking out hwasin and the young up and comer by.flash in a bo5, he has been thoroughly prepared and is trained for all situations that iris' standard play style can throw at him
On July 19 2007 21:50 CustomXSpunjah wrote: i think ggplay has it, due to the fact that he came out of a group with sea.up, casy, and then knocking out hwasin and the young up and comer by.flash in a bo5, he has been thoroughly prepared and is trained for all situations that iris' standard play style can throw at him
posted this in the iris hype thread, but i guess it belongs here:
im not particularly hyped for this OSL finals unfortunately. i know iris and ggplay are both stellar players, but they just don't do it for me. daum had all the workings to be an incredible tournament but things just didnt pan out interestingly.
here's to hoping iris and ggplay prove me wrong tomorrow and give us a set of games we won't forget
Even if Iris isnt that good at TvZ you honestly expect him to just get 3-0ed after working so hard for this? Fuck no. I predict 3-2 GGplay wins. Someone quote me once its all over.
What do you have to be good to get recognized as good at TvZ? Take Savior himself to an incredible 5th game set and play amazingly but simply get out-edged by god himself, then even return the favour to Savior later. It may not be TvZ but walking up to this final he utterly crushed stork.
If Iris comes cracked out on amphetamines like he sometimes does then I feel he may win based on sheer focus. Hopefully ggplay has some strategies to counter the amphetamine-induced aggression of Iris, or the series may end early.
Hello, I'll be throwing up an relay tonight. This will be from the sc2.org tvants. If you can use sc2.org please do so. This is set at mid-high bit-rate even though the quality is not exactly to par. Please turn on/off the stream when the games start/end.
I thought i would be rooting for GGplay... but after your amazing writeup i somehow want Iris to take this... dunno. I think iris is super motivated and driven and it is going to be hard for ggplay (imho). On the other hand, there is no such thing as 'easy' grand finals, and ggplay's late game is outstanding.
Why are the game sstarting later than usual. That sucks cuz the ceremonies before the game will take a little while. The MSL started an hour earlier so the games would start at about the same time as they normally would. That kind of sucks.
On July 20 2007 23:39 Corinthos wrote: Hello, I'll be throwing up an relay tonight. This will be from the sc2.org tvants. If you can use sc2.org please do so. This is set at mid-high bit-rate even though the quality is not exactly to par. Please turn on/off the stream when the games start/end.
GGplay is an artist - he always plays thinking and plays beautiful. sometimes i like his style more than savoir's. but today i am rooting for Iris also known as CraterFace. now is time for him to show his class and aggressive game play. between these 2 opponents there is no way we watch boring games.probably there will be short games but fulfilled with amazing tacktician and mindgame. Iris 4tfw
On July 21 2007 01:13 VioleTAK wrote: 1hour 45min... I wonder what they are doing right now. Do you think they're still practicing, or just trying to relax?
Probably trying to relax now and just like 30min before the games start they probably do a little warm up so they arent completely frozen when they play.
I remember XellOs saying he just tried to clean his mind of everything and just relax.
On July 21 2007 01:31 The Storyteller wrote: I guess the games will really start only around 1930, after all the live bands and stuff are done?
Definitely not that fast :-) They'll take 20min just to show all the player stats, map stats, and chat our minds off, a commerical break, couple of hype clips... It'll probablly be an hour.
On July 21 2007 02:37 Da_PlayerX wrote: i so hope savoir helped Iris preparing for the Final. Iris would need that practise vs unortodoxal z like GGplay
Well, what else is Savior doing nowadays? I think he's got tons of time to help out.
On July 21 2007 02:37 Da_PlayerX wrote: i so hope savoir helped Iris preparing for the Final. Iris would need that practise vs unortodoxal z like GGplay
Well, what else is Savior doing nowadays? I think he's got tons of time to help out.
savior's and ggplay's styles are totally different though, I doubt it would be very helpfull practicing non stop vs savior anyway
I do not care who wins really but I do want awesome tense games. One game is all I ask for. One game where I can say o my fucking god that was awesome. Plz plz I beg of you gods of starcraft universe.
How the hell do the people in the wayyyy back nosebleed seats even see anything? I dont even think the screens are big enough for them to properly discern what the hell is going on.
On July 21 2007 02:37 Da_PlayerX wrote: i so hope savoir helped Iris preparing for the Final. Iris would need that practise vs unortodoxal z like GGplay
Well, what else is Savior doing nowadays? I think he's got tons of time to help out.
savior's and ggplay's styles are totally different though, I doubt it would be very helpfull practicing non stop vs savior anyway
Stupidest post of the thread award. School_Victim, are you fuckin serious? First of all, how would it not be a HUGE help playing against the best zerg in the world repeated? How do you think Iris got to be so damn good at TvZ in the first place? He's even talked about it in interviews, how much savior has helped his TvZ game. Also you seriously think a top zerg would be so different than another top zerg that "it wouldn't be very helpful" practicing against them? It's not like GGplay does anything that savior hasn't done before or vice versa.
Can anyone with any knowledge of korean give any insight as to whats being said? Would be really appreicated by everyone I'm sure By the way that atmosphere is AWESOME. I hope the games live up to it.
[LosingID8] "I've practiced for this finals with my teammates, and they've been practiciing with me all the time, so i think its because of them i've gottent his far" [LosingID8] "I'm very thankful for my teammates, and i'm thaknful for hot-forever, and clon for coming to watch me during their break from their military duties"
[LosingID8] lol, ok basically they're talking about his gf who's been going out with him for 500days or so [LosingID8] "she sent me lots of text msgs yesterday cheering me on" [LosingID8] "my dad has been cheering me on quitely in the background for me the entire time, i think its in part due to him that i've gotten this far"
On July 21 2007 03:21 VioleTAK wrote: [LosingID8] lol, ok basically they're talking about his gf who's been going out with him for 500days or so [LosingID8] "she sent me lots of text msgs yesterday cheering me on" [LosingID8] "my dad has been cheering me on quitely in the background for me the entire time, i think its in part due to him that i've gotten this far"
Thanks a lot LosingID8, and thanks for relaying it violetak
[LosingID8] "iris beat stork 3-0, when EVERYONE expected stork to win that BO5, so we can definitely see that iris is a player that prepares much for his matches"
On July 21 2007 03:26 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Hurry up! For god's sakes...ok this isn't looking good. Day, it might be hard for stork to win considering he isn't playing.
yes, but dong forget that stork is an amazing player
On July 21 2007 03:26 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Hurry up! For god's sakes...ok this isn't looking good. Day, it might be hard for stork to win considering he isn't playing.
yes, but dong forget that stork is an amazing player
Perhaps, flapping his korean arms, he will swoop down from a light tower, destorying GGPlay on contact. He will then preceed to take over the controls and slaughter Iris with mass ultra/def.
Ahh 9 pool from GGplay...probably predicted a fast expansion build from Iris. Hmm Iris seems to be doing a bbs build? Maybe GGplay was playing to counter cheese instead..looks like he will be doing just that, whether he meant it or not...
Lmao..scv with 3 drone kills is huge game changing mistake. Both players showing incredible micro...iris seems to be in conrol now though as he has blocked his ramp. However GGPlay has increased his drone count to ~ 10 and is blocking scouting attemps with 4 speedling. Iris starts a cc on the high ground, follwed by a refinery.
On July 21 2007 03:34 GTR-2-Go wrote: really close game ;D
Iris has a fairly significant advantage actually. GGplays tech is very late from the time it took to replensive drones. A lot of old people in the crowd Iris simply needs to play defensive and mass up...then move out right before defilier timing. If he stops the muta/ling harass effectively he will be in great shape.
nah, the timing of mutalisk attack/retreat isn't as smooth as ggplay usually shows. I do acknowledge iris has very good defensive skills. they should be good after practising with savior XD
all in push at iris's nat blocked. now ggplay contained at his nat TT
Counter! Iris was ready baby! Stops it cold We're seeing the advantage of Iris from early game come to fruitation as he takes out GGplays 2nd expansion, while defending the counter. He now has tanks shelling the sunkens in front of ggplays nat. Defilier mound is done now...great lurker flank by ggplay but it's not enough. GG from ggplay...this game is hilarious..that SCV deserves a medal..or 10
After seeing GGPlay fail vs Flash in game 3 with the 12 exp 3 hatch standard, and him specifically mentioning that game in the interview, it was totally obvious that he would 9 pool. I think Iris took that into account when he decided to go for 2 rax.
On July 21 2007 03:49 Puosu wrote: Iris said he had prepared mostly for the first game, because the other maps do not favor him as much, or something like that.
So its not a surprise he won this one. Hero SCV was quite gosu.
he was obviously not prepared for 9 pool... and the scv was luck/ggplay's fault
On July 21 2007 03:49 Puosu wrote: Iris said he had prepared mostly for the first game, because the other maps do not favor him as much, or something like that.
So its not a surprise he won this one. Hero SCV was quite gosu.
he was obviously not prepared for 9 pool... and the scv was luck/ggplay's fault
Well not of course when his intial marine was out,but he retreated back to the ramp in time, and he got 3 marines out when the 9 lings arrived as his ramp, whether intended or not, he was more than ready. It's a testament to GGPlays incredible ling micro that he was able to do damage at all. It was the huge amount of focus GGplay spent in accomplishing this that allowed the scv to kill the drones.
Lol oh man iris tries a run by of lurker/swarm but its stopped cold by a nicely timed/placed plague and nydus reinforcements. Happened a while ago sorry
I can now only hope Iris finishes the series convincingly, losing any games only because GGplay rises to the challenge. That way we won't have any choking.
IriS playing with the ferocity of BoxeR and the innate genius-like game sense and macro of NaDa. That\'s what champions are made of. IriS definitely deserves this OSL. One more to go!
Iris' mines I think really decided the games early, acting as a rough containment of GGplay, allowing iris to be aggressive, and expand safely at the same time.
Iris... what a monster! GGPlay couldn't even think of touching any of Iris's undefended expos... had to defend 100% wow Good game. Please win the next game GG!
Iris got a really nice advantage with his vult strategy, as well as a really quick expansion. He just rode that out with nearly flawless play(except for the bold failed move of trying to run by lurks under swarm, which almost worked except for a nicely timed plague). GGplay actually played really well aside from not anticipating the vult strat better(like building another sunk near the min wall) and perhaps not taking full advantage of plague. However it was Iris proactive irridating and army movements that made using plague well very difficult. After all, he has savior as a practice partner
On July 21 2007 04:30 VioleTAK wrote: Iris... what a monster! GGPlay couldn't even think of touching any of Iris's undefended expos... had to defend 100% wow Good game. Please win the next game GG!
Actually he did significant damage with lings vs scvs at one point, but thats it
well this second game was a bit messy - iris right attacking harassing all the time - its difficult but there were some battles with too much waste of units. otherwise the game was very intense with a lot of action drops etc spellcasting good macro. these are the games i personally like yo
On July 21 2007 04:34 SuperJongMan wrote: Or not putting up fight to the Xenosky expos all game which he honestly really could have and you know it.
Ya he could have taken the fight to Iris's expos instead of giving Iris the initiative. But thats easier said than done. Iris limited GGplays deflier "Range" well. They could never got far from where they were produced before they were killed Without them GGPlay never had at any point any hope of taking on Iris's army. So if GGPlay insisted on pressuring Iris's expos. He simply couldve stoped the defiliers than played passively as he slaughtered GGplays standing army. Then Also Iris had decent mine coverage.
On July 21 2007 04:39 pOOwarrior- wrote: if anyone wants to know the name of song going on right now during APM displays, I googled the lyrics it's Spitalfield - The Only Thing That Matters.
Pretty damn crazy how Iris did all that with a relatively low APM.
ya I was thinking maybe he picked up some apm tips from sAviOr.
it means terran cannot attack through that path - unless he wants to waste a LOT of scvs mining through it, I don't think he can breka through. that gives you 2 safe bases with just one sunken, maybe 2
On July 21 2007 05:15 SkyTheUnknown wrote: Can someone tell me the use of this strategy. Expo directly at terrans base, what's the advantage of this?
1: Easy to defend the middle lane with sunkens because the sunkens will bottle rines and also kill scvs mining it away. 2: You have 2 gas just from 1 sunken line 3: The terran will have to mine two sets of mineral lines to get to your main 4: Guardians are protected by the sunkens and cliffs
On July 21 2007 05:15 SkyTheUnknown wrote: Can someone tell me the use of this strategy. Expo directly at terrans base, what's the advantage of this?
1: Easy to defend the middle lane with sunkens because the sunkens will bottle rines and also kill scvs mining it away. 2: You have 2 gas just from 1 sunken line 3: The terran will have to mine two sets of mineral lines to get to your main 4: Guardians are protected by the sunkens and cliffs
etc.
Pretty much.
When the Terran realizes the z has that expo at front, he has to mine it out or go around. But sunkens will stop the mining. So he has to go around, mining out 2 sets of mineral lines. By the time they get there, the zerg will have muta tech and harrass, forcing the mnm back. (and lurker tech in some variations of the build).
So the terran now has to break the middle or go around again. Going around will again take too much time, and he needs to kill one of the gasses very fast. So he goes for the middle. He gets tanks to clear out sunkens and then mines it out. The zerg races to hive tech, (and continues to muta harrass during this time from 3 gas) buying time, and when the mineral line is finally through, guardians stop the marines going through that narrow path.
The terran is desparate and needs to lure the guards out in open space or get air units. He usually has around 1 or 2 vessels which won't kill the guards fast enough, so he gets wraiths. But the zerg has now teched to hydras and enters with guard/hydra. Before you know it, your tanks are dead to guards, ur wraiths are dead to hydra, and ur mnm are dead to both.
Even by some miracle u survive, the zerg will probably have gotten another gas with defiler tech, and you'd have quite a difficult situation on your hands.
On July 21 2007 05:28 PanoRaMa wrote: Question for the TL historians (GTR2GO THIS MEANS YOU), if GGplay wins game 5, will that be the first 0-2 to 3-2 in SL finals history?
Yes indeedeo, the closest one to date has been Boxer vs Anytime (where Boxer came back 2 games down but lost the last one).
On July 21 2007 05:35 pum wrote: didnt see the previous match at this map - Python. was it a rape by Iris?
Yes but only because GGPlay went 9 pool speedlings and although he microed well, he failed to do much damage, and lost 3 drones to an scv because he was microing his lings so hard
On July 21 2007 05:34 ReTrooper wrote: Iris could have mined the center lane with medic support. That way, the sunken would not have been able to kill the mining scvs.
Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
Thanks -_-; That "crater face" thing was already stupid the first time but now it's just plain moronic.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
Don't be so harsh, the people discussing their looks are doing so, just because they're looking even worse and are insecure.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
On July 21 2007 05:49 TheFoReveRwaR wrote: Seriously stfu about the players looks, its stupid as fuck...besides they aren't even that ugly...they ARE FUCKING BROOD WARS PLAYERS, not actors, not models.
ggplay is good looking compared to iris
Temp ban?
Why not perm ?
poking fun at a players jokes as grounds for a ban?
Because if I say temp, mods are more likely to actually listen to me FUCK YES THIS GAME IS PURE SEX. Mass swarm covers everything, pushing Iris back, as ling stop mining/take out scvs at iris min only yet again. If gg play was ever out of it, I d say hes back in...really close game.
Don't poke fun at players when its not funny at all. No offence but ok fakesteves "Although Iris' bunker rushes are about as smooth as his complexion" thats humourous if in bad taste. But "LOLOL CRATER FACE HAS ACNE AND HE"S ON TV LOLOLOLOL" Come on?
geez, this starcraft shit is getting better and better you could never see the swarm coming; it was like the ghost+nuke hack - no defilers swarm everywhere
almost every time he defended he only had a few units, yet he never yeild and casted all the spells he needed too. It seems like he had a teleporting deflilier i saw swarm only 9 different places completely on the map, not even exaggerating. i have never ever seen any better zerg spell casting. he pretty much played perfect, poor iris couldnt do anything. It was like savior at his most untouchable. one of the best finals i have ever seen.
[LosingID8] "i told my dad 'don't worry, i'll make a comeback'" [LosingID8] "when i hugged my dad, i was speechless, and my dad just told me 'good job'"
Game 3 - 0-2 down, contained by tank/mnm, manages to pull off incredible muta micro to win Game 4 - 1-2, uses a brilliant strategy devised by another Zerg player to win on a once anti-zerg map Game 5 - 2-2, executes his gameplay superbly to win his first OSL.
[LosingID8] "i told my dad 'don't worry, i'll make a comeback'" [LosingID8] "when i hugged my dad, i was speechless, and my dad just told me 'good job'" [LosingID8] "after the end of the 5th game, i could tell how much my fans were chering for me, during the games i was completely focused in the game, so i didn't realize how many people had come to watch me" [LosingID8] a word to his gf: "during my hardest times, she was there. so at this time i'll tell her "tahnks" and "i love you" "
While GGplay did well, this does not bode well for anyone next OSL season. Iris loses to Savior in the semifinal of an OSL ... returns and rips everyone apart. His reckoning is going to be even more fearsome now.
GGPlay: I didn't think that I was winning until the very end of game 5. Caster: There was a moment where the feeling was that you were going to lose the finals and you were down 0-2. What gave you the strength to keep going and make the upset?
GGPlay: After the 2nd game ended, I thought it would be very hard for me. But at that moment, I thought of my father and didn't want to lose.
Caster: What did you think of then? GGPlay: Dad was praying for me.
Caster: What would you have said to him, if you could have said anything at that moment? GGPlay: I'll come back and win, so don't worry.
Caster: There are a lot of fans out here for you. (prepared to sleep in the bathrooms to stay up with you) Can you understand their feelings? GGPlay: Yes, I think I can relate with them. I actually didn't have the time to think about it since I was completely focused in the game.
...
Caster: And you kept that promise. When did you think you won? GGPlay: Not until the late game, almost up until the GG.
Caster: What would you want to say to your gf? GGPlay: This gf has been next to me even through hard times. Thank you for everything, and I love you!
On July 21 2007 06:09 kNyTTyM wrote: wow. Awesome from GGplay in that game 5 but I really think Iris should have had game 4 if not game 3
Umm game 4 was complete domination from GGplay...-_- Why should Iris have it?
Side note: By the way Iris's skin looks perfect, might be the make up but ...still you can't say shit about it
cuz he saw the offensive hatch and knew what was coming. He should have at least examined the build in his practice since it has been shown twice in proleague.
His reaction was terrible and didn't adjust at all.
Freaking GGplay, amazing. He was definantly the underdog in the ro8. The other 7 players were big names. Savior, the Godzerg. Iris, who had taken Godzerg to an epic 5 game series. MANTOSS, Stork who was tearing up both the OSL/MSL and Proleague, Bisu the last MSL winner (and current one as well), Flash the kid prodigy and Hwasin the ZvT monster. GGplay was the last one on anyone's minds to even make it out of the quarterfinals, and BAM he wins the whole damn thing!
On July 21 2007 06:09 kNyTTyM wrote: wow. Awesome from GGplay in that game 5 but I really think Iris should have had game 4 if not game 3
Umm game 4 was complete domination from GGplay...-_- Why should Iris have it?
Side note: By the way Iris's skin looks perfect, might be the make up but ...still you can't say shit about it
cuz he saw the offensive hatch and knew what was coming. He should have at least examined the build in his practice since it has been shown twice in proleague.
His reaction was terrible and didn't adjust at all.
What reaction would you suggest gosu one? His reaction was fine, he prepared wraiths in time, it's just a tough build to stop even when you know whats comming because of the positioning of the map. His main flaw was losing too many mnm to muta harass.
Offensive Sunks on Monty Hall is such a new build that there isn't a clearcut counter to it. Silver did it twice and GGPlay did it once and that's pretty much it. You can siege it, you can expo again, you can quicktech to Wraiths, or you can push the lane you expoed in first. And quite frankly, all of those are pretty slow options, which gives Zerg the huge advantage tech and macrowise thanks to his now 3-soon 4 gases.
On July 21 2007 06:09 kNyTTyM wrote: wow. Awesome from GGplay in that game 5 but I really think Iris should have had game 4 if not game 3
Umm game 4 was complete domination from GGplay...-_- Why should Iris have it?
Side note: By the way Iris's skin looks perfect, might be the make up but ...still you can't say shit about it
cuz he saw the offensive hatch and knew what was coming. He should have at least examined the build in his practice since it has been shown twice in proleague.
His reaction was terrible and didn't adjust at all.
What reaction would you suggest gosu one? His reaction was fine..he prepared wraiths in time...its just tough to stop even when you know whats comming because of the positioning of the maps. His main flaw was losing too many mnm to muta harass.
suggestions? None at all I suck, but Iris is a progamer. It actually looked to me like he was trying to lose that game. He knew a guard hydra army was coming and he prepared wraiths?
On July 21 2007 06:09 kNyTTyM wrote: wow. Awesome from GGplay in that game 5 but I really think Iris should have had game 4 if not game 3
Umm game 4 was complete domination from GGplay...-_- Why should Iris have it?
Side note: By the way Iris's skin looks perfect, might be the make up but ...still you can't say shit about it
cuz he saw the offensive hatch and knew what was coming. He should have at least examined the build in his practice since it has been shown twice in proleague.
His reaction was terrible and didn't adjust at all.
What reaction would you suggest gosu one? His reaction was fine..he prepared wraiths in time...its just tough to stop even when you know whats comming because of the positioning of the maps. His main flaw was losing too many mnm to muta harass.
suggestions? None at all I suck, but Iris is a progamer. It actually looked to me like he was trying to lose that game. He knew a guard hydra army was coming and he prepared wraiths?
what else could you do in such situation?? goliath/tank combo maybe? anyway the game ended with the defilers + lurks not hidra + guard if it was me it could ended with pure guard only
On July 21 2007 06:09 kNyTTyM wrote: wow. Awesome from GGplay in that game 5 but I really think Iris should have had game 4 if not game 3
Umm game 4 was complete domination from GGplay...-_- Why should Iris have it?
Side note: By the way Iris's skin looks perfect, might be the make up but ...still you can't say shit about it
cuz he saw the offensive hatch and knew what was coming. He should have at least examined the build in his practice since it has been shown twice in proleague.
His reaction was terrible and didn't adjust at all.
What reaction would you suggest gosu one? His reaction was fine..he prepared wraiths in time...its just tough to stop even when you know whats comming because of the positioning of the maps. His main flaw was losing too many mnm to muta harass.
suggestions? None at all I suck, but Iris is a progamer. It actually looked to me like he was trying to lose that game. He knew a guard hydra army was coming and he prepared wraiths?
A hydra guard combo is tough to stop because you essentiall have to stop BOTH to counter it.
If you kill all guards with mnm, hydra kills you. Kill all hydra and guards kill you. Go air and hydra counters you. Stick with ground and Guardians counter you. GGplay even took it one step further with devourer to neutralize cloaking.
The only counter that I see is fast tank: Hit the offensive sunken from the main, mine the minerals out and take it out with mnm - stop it before the tech kicks in.
congrats to both GGplay and Iris for these amazing games. i knew they wont be boring at all. both deserved the win - this time it was ggplay. i only hope from now on for ggplay not to become a champion like Casy - jeez he doesn't even play in proleague. i hope ggplay accomplish other titles the following seasons
This final is by far one of the best because of its unprecedented tempo.
Game 1 and 2 are taken by Iris and his unrelenting attacks from the get-go. Game 3 is wrestled to the ground by GGplay, fighting for every inch of the way back. Game 4 is a leap of faith by GG. By making a huge gamble, he is able to even the score and take the series to its proper finale, the 5th set. Game 5 is an epic back-n-forth game for supremacy between 2 seasoned combatants. GGplay commanded the flow from the beginning and mid, with Iris battling back via pirate drops, mass irradiation, and worker eraser. In the last moments, when resources are noticeably depleted, ultralisks took to the field. 2 at first, then 3, then 6... and with it, the seemly eternal defense is transformed into offense - something Game 1 evidently lacked.
GGplay sealed his death-defying comeback shortly after.
On July 21 2007 08:36 alffla wrote: O:MGGGGGG I CANT STILL BELIEVE _________ CAME BACK FROM 2-0 DOWN WTF IS THAT SHIT I WANTED _____ TO WIN!!! -_________________________-
80% to Game5's end, I was still so sure Iris had the game. GGPlay's dark swarm... it was the best I've ever seen, he can actually teach sAviOr a thing or two.
On July 21 2007 07:58 VioleTAK wrote: Between Games 2 and 3, after the commerical break, here is the GGPlay clip that was aired. Can anyone translates what GGPlay's father is saying? http://youtube.com/watch?v=BRCo9w2j-E4
GGPlay: This is the first time I've come up from the challenge league. Since it's my first time, apart from worrying about winning and losing, I want to make a good appearance (play well).
Kim Jun Young Fighting!!
Female Caster: The usually stoic Kim JunYoung is smiling!
"Dad... MY dad!"
GGPlay's Father: Because he doesn't have a mom, I had to do everything for him. I love him very much. Be strong. My lovable JunYoung, FIGHTING!!
GGPlay: My mom would have cheered me on a lot... so this time... to the Final's stage... (runs away, overcome with emotion)
On July 21 2007 07:58 VioleTAK wrote: Between Games 2 and 3, after the commerical break, here is the GGPlay clip that was aired. Can anyone translates what GGPlay's father is saying? http://youtube.com/watch?v=BRCo9w2j-E4
GGPlay: This is the first time I've come up from the challenge league. Since it's my first time, apart from worrying about winning and losing, I want to make a good appearance (play well).
Kim Jun Young Fighting!!
Female Caster: The usually stoic Kim JunYoung is smiling!
"Dad... MY dad!"
GGPlay's Father: Because he doesn't have a mom, I had to do everything for him. I love him very much. Be strong. My lovable JunYoung, FIGHTING!!
GGPlay: My mom would have cheered me on a lot... so this time... to the Final's stage... (runs away, overcome with emotion)
On July 21 2007 09:11 Kaolla wrote: i think throughout the entire game it seemed like ggplay was winning altho his swarming was nice have to admit that -_-
He was in grave danger of losing. Iris' 9'oclock expansion was strong and GGPlay didn't even touch it.
Iris' TvZ is one of the best in the world because of his aggressive ability. He made GGPlay defend from so many different points, any normal player would have been confused. And Iris held the center of the map for most of the game.
It would have been a complete repeat of game 1, until GGPlay teched to ultralisks and finally took out 9'oclock.
On July 21 2007 09:11 Kaolla wrote: i think throughout the entire game it seemed like ggplay was winning altho his swarming was nice have to admit that -_-
He was in grave danger of losing. Iris' 9'oclock expansion was strong and GGPlay didn't even touch it.
Iris' TvZ is one of the best in the world because of his aggressive ability. He made GGPlay defend from so many different points, any normal player would have been confused. And Iris held the center of the map for most of the game.
It would have been a complete repeat of game 1, until GGPlay teched to ultralisks and finally took out 9'oclock.
the thing I fear most about IriS's TvZ is when the zerg is barely defending, throws down a swarm and you think he'll be safe. But then IriS all of a sudden runs all his mnm into the swarm and runs out the other side, ignoring anything hitting him. Everytime that happens it freaks me out (it happened a few times today and a LOT in Game 5 on Arkanoid vs Savior last season).
On July 21 2007 07:58 VioleTAK wrote: Between Games 2 and 3, after the commerical break, here is the GGPlay clip that was aired. Can anyone translates what GGPlay's father is saying? http://youtube.com/watch?v=BRCo9w2j-E4
GGPlay: This is the first time I've come up from the challenge league. Since it's my first time, apart from worrying about winning and losing, I want to make a good appearance (play well).
Kim Jun Young Fighting!!
Female Caster: The usually stoic Kim JunYoung is smiling!
"Dad... MY dad!"
GGPlay's Father: Because he doesn't have a mom, I had to do everything for him. I love him very much. Be strong. My lovable JunYoung, FIGHTING!!
GGPlay: My mom would have cheered me on a lot... so this time... to the Final's stage... (runs away, overcome with emotion)
Wow, knowing that it was his dad praying during the games (thanks yakii) made this video so much more emotional, Makes me even more glad that GGPlay won.
This was the most intense (and emotional) series in a long time. Shame on the naysayers who claimed it wouldn't be because these players weren't 'big names'. Say what you will, these are the two scariest guys to play against right now, easy. Both are all over the map, with the right units in the right places constantly. It's amazing that they can maintain that level of aggressiveness on so many fronts for so long.
You will not find better dark swarm, plague and scourge use in one game than there was in game 5. How does a zerg beat a terran that matches them in bases and is constantly on the offensive, dropping mnm everywhere? How does a zerg still manage to run all over the map with spider mines everywhere and a nasty ball constantly moving around the middle? Perfect play all around, it's as simple as that. When GGPlay is on, he is nigh unstoppable.
I feel they both have proved themselves, and I'm really glad for that fact. These finals did Boxer and Yellow proud.
Well, the final always gives players some kind of "skill boost", either because they trained harder for it than usual, or because they know how much is at stake (money + crowd/respect). Players who weren't at the top before suddenly turn into monsters capable of winning versus the best of the best. And come out "officially" belonging to the top. Hard to say if GGPlay is better than Savior just because of these 5 games. They both play very similarly, they both are very scary in late game and also try some neat strategies every now and then, and the games vs. Iris were very close for both.
On July 21 2007 13:03 Brutalisk wrote: Well, the final always gives players some kind of "skill boost", either because they trained harder for it than usual, or because they know how much is at stake (money + crowd/respect). Players who weren't at the top before suddenly turn into monsters capable of winning versus the best of the best. And come out "officially" belonging to the top. Hard to say if GGPlay is better than Savior just because of these 5 games. They both play very similarly, they both are very scary in late game and also try some neat strategies every now and then, and the games vs. Iris were very close for both.
What kind of crazy thing is that to say?
When has GGPlay not shown his insane skill like he has now?
GGPlay vs Hwasin on Hitchhiker? (Group D, Daum OSL) GGPlay vs UpMagic (RO16) GGPlay vs Casy (Group D)
You know, not all finals go to the final 5th game because both players are on fire. OSL Finals have ended in 3-0s before. Where's the skill boost there?
On July 21 2007 13:03 Brutalisk wrote: Well, the final always gives players some kind of "skill boost", either because they trained harder for it than usual, or because they know how much is at stake (money + crowd/respect). Players who weren't at the top before suddenly turn into monsters capable of winning versus the best of the best. And come out "officially" belonging to the top. Hard to say if GGPlay is better than Savior just because of these 5 games. They both play very similarly, they both are very scary in late game and also try some neat strategies every now and then, and the games vs. Iris were very close for both.
thats actually probably as far from the truth as you can get.
The players hope to play up to their normal capability with all the nerves/pressure.
game 3 Iris probably should have made turrets at his push, the mutas were raping his forces.
game 4 Guardians Devourer strat worked. Using varied strats is a mark of a good champion.
game 5 smart stop lurker use. Damn that's lots of lurkers. Lost all his vessels. Lost dropship. Iris losing composure, suiciding his rines to lurkers. nice dark swarm usage.
Thanks for the vods. That place was PACKED. I think GGplay outplayed Iris starting from the second half of game 2. GGplay played like he belongs in top 5 KeSPA.
On July 21 2007 18:53 Sadist wrote: thats actually probably as far from the truth as you can get.
The players hope to play up to their normal capability with all the nerves/pressure.
No one gets a "skill boost" from the finals.
These discussions are always subjective to a high degree, so just view it as my opinion. Don't speak of truth or no truth when you don't know how the pros felt exactly. I've never seen Iris or GGPlay play so well before, and the same is true for the finalists of many previous OSLs. That's why I said this.
@ WhatIsProtoss: Hwasin is overrated, and Casy and UpMagic aren't exactly what I'd call top players. That's also just my opinion, you're free to have another one but as there's no way to prove it we're both free to think what we think.
On July 21 2007 18:53 Sadist wrote: thats actually probably as far from the truth as you can get.
The players hope to play up to their normal capability with all the nerves/pressure.
No one gets a "skill boost" from the finals.
These discussions are always subjective to a high degree, so just view it as my opinion. Don't speak of truth or no truth when you don't know how the pros felt exactly. I've never seen Iris or GGPlay play so well before, and the same is true for the finalists of many previous OSLs. That's why I said this.
@ WhatIsProtoss: Hwasin is overrated, and Casy and UpMagic aren't exactly what I'd call top players. That's also just my opinion, you're free to have another one but as there's no way to prove it we're both free to think what we think.
Opinions are worthless if you can't back them up with solid reasoning. I say that Mumyung is the greatest zerg who has ever played...I have no reasons for this it's just my opinion...see how stupid that sounds?
That was a truly amazing final. After game 2 finished (like most people) I had completely written off GGplay. Especially as hitchhiker and Monty Hall were next. He had lost on Monghwan which was the map he was supposed to win on too. One of the best comebacks ever. And game 5 was incredibly well-played by both players, many zergs would have lost hatcheries to those drops but GGplay defended perfectly and the amount of sci vessels he caught- that was what won it for him. 9 out of the 16 players were terrans and a zerg still won. Beautiful
On July 21 2007 14:14 WhatisProtoss wrote: What kind of crazy thing is that to say?
When has GGPlay not shown his insane skill like he has now?
When he lost in the MSL prelims to the terran who even didn't it further o.o
Iris and GGplay definitely lost on purpose during that so that they could leave and practice for their finals (maps are different mostly). They probably showed up out of respect to mbcgame.
God DAMN that was an exciting finals. So many games on the knife's edge, with no clear leader until the very end. It seems to me that in Game 3, GGPlay was really on the verge of getting swept. Maybe a few more marines (or a micro mistake by GGPlay) and Iris could have broken his sunken line.
Game 5 was absolutely insane, I can't believe a player (Iris) can play so well and agressively and lose. GGPlay's spell use was better than I can remember seeing from anyone, including Savior. Iris played a hell of a series too.
3rd game: Iris should have BBS'd. If he did, he probably would have won. I also think he left a bit prematurely; he had 5 mutas in his main, but he might have been able to hold out longer. Iris might have thought he already have the bo5 win in his hands, so just decided to push it out to the next game.
4th game: Exact same game as last week, only GGPlay had an excellent mix of units. Probably a bad idea to go 3port wraith against the guards; seems almost impossible to stop guards/hydras/lurk mix.
5th game: Those stop lurkers were bullshit. If Iris didn't lose so many units to that trap and if he took out the 12 o'clock expo, he would have won. I'm not sure if he didn't know that GGPlay expo'd there, but I thought he would assume that he did.
On July 21 2007 12:44 QibingZero wrote: Wowowowowow.
This was the most intense (and emotional) series in a long time. Shame on the naysayers who claimed it wouldn't be because these players weren't 'big names'. Say what you will, these are the two scariest guys to play against right now, easy. Both are all over the map, with the right units in the right places constantly. It's amazing that they can maintain that level of aggressiveness on so many fronts for so long.
You will not find better dark swarm, plague and scourge use in one game than there was in game 5. How does a zerg beat a terran that matches them in bases and is constantly on the offensive, dropping mnm everywhere? How does a zerg still manage to run all over the map with spider mines everywhere and a nasty ball constantly moving around the middle? Perfect play all around, it's as simple as that. When GGPlay is on, he is nigh unstoppable.
I feel they both have proved themselves, and I'm really glad for that fact. These finals did Boxer and Yellow proud.
QFT
Game 5:
The stop lurkers was a beautiful move, and it threw Iris off kilter, since he likes that early offense. In addition, in the middle of game 5 I think GGPlay somehow got the exact "zone" he needed to defend just enough vs Iris and throw the game into who can macro/multi-task better. Iris didn't make many mistakes, but losing the Sci Vessels so often was really bad. I too think that's what changed the outcome of the game.
Wow, I can't believe GGPlay defended all those drops and still won!!! It was definitely the lack of vessels... they could have taken out the lurkers/defilers at the expos and that probably would have been it.
Loved the dead on defiler usage... looked like someone playing on "fast" in ladder nearly a decade ago. I think he lost one defiler uselessly out of the whole game 5.
Beautiful series... I love Iris's style, but GGPlay deserved the win big time.
Arg I was almost sure Iris would've taken the win. Obviously GGplay had been training his ass off this year Ahw, GGs.. especially the last one - Awesome
On July 22 2007 10:55 davidgurt wrote: Iris should have won that series. -__- probably slit his wrists by now
I wouldn't be surprised.
It's okay. He acknowledged defeat at the awards ceremony. He seemed okay because he played well and left nothing behind. He played very well; GGPlay was just too good.
"As expected, it certainly is hard to play against GGPlay's late game."
EPT
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Mynock/fight.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Mynock/iris.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Mynock/ggplay.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Mynock/daumosl.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/4043/iriscs9.png)
![[image loading]](http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/667/irisvsggplayuj1.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://image.fighterforum.com/showImage.asp?realFile=FFPHOT20070721212747003.JPG)
