EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/iesf/iesfbanner.jpg)
The semi-finals are over and the finals is now just hours away. The semi-finals were short and quick, being just a Best of 3 for each group, but they were entertaining nonetheless. Here's a short recap of what happened, as well as a more detailed Battle Report for Set 3 between NaDa and Reach, which will be followed by what the Finals will look like.
+ Show Spoiler [Games] +
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 2:
Now this was a rather disappointing series. Despite hype and the excitement of a billion fannerds worldwide for a second Lim-Jin-Rok in two weeks, it was frankly speaking, bad. Boxer failed a strategy that was similar to the one used by Fantasy against Jaedong in the Proleague finals on Neo Medusa (funny though, it was Boxer who taught Fantasy the strategy), only to be crushed by YellOw's modern-day Mutalisk micro. Had it been 8 years ago where Muta micro was yet to be discovered, it may have been a different case, but together with Muta micro and Boxer's poor decision making as to what to do with his marines from his 2nd rax, as well as the timing of his rush, they all contributed to his eventual loss in the first game.
In the 2nd game on Fighting Spirit, Boxer went for a very greedy 1 Rax CC into Refinery without even building a Marine. Yes, it was cross position. But against.. The Storm Zerg?
That 1 mistake cost Boxer dearly, and he could only laugh at his own blunder as Zerglings clawed their way to pave a path for YellOw's entry into the finals of any tournament for the first time in many years. GG.
+ Show Spoiler [Games] +
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 1 started off with both players going standard, Reach going 1 gate robo and Nada going 1 fac- wait. 2 Fact? Even Reach was surprised, saying in the chat, "I can't believe you went 2 fact.." Good positioning by NaDa and the lack of units on Reach's part led to his quick loss in the first game. NaDa goes 1-0.
The next game was on Fighting Spirit, with NaDa spawning at 1 o'clock and Reach at 5. Both players did went for a standard opening this time, Reach going 1 gate obs into expand and NaDa going 1 fact cc. Both started to macro up, with NaDa attempting to do some damage with vultures and Reach easily fending them off. NaDa decided to take his 2nd expansion at 12 o'clock rather early, getting set for a huge macrofest. But Reach took a detour and continuously harassed the expansion, forcing the CC to lift a dozen times before eventually going down, as NaDa did not scan Reach's army movements. In desperation, NaDa goes for Reach's main, but by now, the Mantoss' macro had kicked in, pumping units from 6 gateways non-stop. Reach's arbiter was out too, but NaDa had yet to have a vessel. NaDa army got quickly cleaned up, and he finally typed out as he went for a final attack that was fended off as well. Both players are now tied at 1-1, and the series would go on to the final game. Pangshai will now give you a detailed Battle Report of the game that will decide who will advance into the finals to face off against The Storm Zerg.
Game 3 - Reach vs NaDa Battle Report: By Pangshai
The Hero Protoss and the Tornado Terran. 12-8, their official record, Nada ahead in games. After not facing each other in three years (if you exclude the match played this year in June), destiny had it that the pair would meet again in the semifinals of the IeSF invitational. Two games down in the best of three, the path to the final would be determined by the victory in this game. Into the Darkness 2 was the map, an old favourite and an apt choice for the conclusion of the series.
Nada found himself in the top right and at the start, everything went down almost perfectly standard, except maybe for an early scout, sent after the completion of his depot. His SCV passed Reach's probe on the way, and Reach seemed little concerned with its appearance, perhaps even neglecting to notice its presence at all - little did he know this SCV would be his undoing.
On the other side of the map, Reach had started a 12 nexus at his nat looking to take advantage of the long rush routes attributed to the size of the map. He then quickly added 2 gates and a core, figuring he would take the economic advantage after scouting Nada's 1 fac build. Alas, Nada had other things in mind, beginning a factory in the bottom corner of Reach's main with his early SCV, while sending out another, intended to deceive Reach.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/pangshai/br21a.jpg)
The subsequent attack, Reach was completely unprepared for. Three vultures from the proxy factory mined up Reach's gateways and ramp before beginning to wreak havoc on his probes. Naturally, Reach recalled the units at his nat to defend, but an unlucky mine took out a majority of the probes he had on their way out. With Reach's units out of position, Nada stormed the front with a couple of tanks supported by some marines, ascending the ramp easily, and cleaning up, forcing the GG from Reach.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/pangshai/br21b.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/pangshai/br21c.jpg)
An overall unexceptional game, with Reach losing due to the slightest of errors. His probe passed the SCV on its way down, and had he noticed the SCV, things would have turned out differently. Nada probably wasn't even looking to win with the cheese, but it sure turned out better than he had planned. He takes the game easily, and moves on to face Yellow in the finals.
There you have the results. Now, The Storm Zerg will battle it out against The Genius Terran for the prestige, for glory and for honor. They finally face each other in 913 days, and what better stage than the Grand Finals? Here's a short summary of what you can expect today.
Grand Finals - [NC]..YellOw "The Storm Zerg" vs [Red]NaDa "The Genius Terran"
Set 1:
[NC]..YellOw < Luna the Final > 
[Red]NaDa
Set 2:
[NC]..YellOw < Match Point > [Red]NaDa
Set 3:
[NC]..YellOw < Fighting Spirit > [Red]NaDa
Set 4:
[NC]..YellOw < Into the Darkness 2 > [Red]NaDa
Set 5:
[NC]..YellOw < Luna the Final > [Red]NaDa
Set 1:
[NC]..YellOw < Luna the Final > [Red]NaDaSet 2:
[NC]..YellOw < Match Point > [Red]NaDaSet 3:
[NC]..YellOw < Fighting Spirit > [Red]NaDaSet 4:
[NC]..YellOw < Into the Darkness 2 > [Red]NaDaSet 5:
[NC]..YellOw < Luna the Final > [Red]NaDaThe perfect map pool with an excellent mix of old and new maps (although the overall balance is a huge question here) that will showcase these two players' current standing in modern Progaming. Do they still have the knowledge that they have accumulated throughout these years to bring these maps to their favor? Is their game sense still very much alive? Have their micro deteriorated over these years from all the macro practice?
Will Kong finally win a Gold that people will actually remember?
Is this going to be NaDa's final tournament?
Can they finally redeem themselves and show that they're still here to stay?
All these will be answered today. Stay tuned and stick around the Live Report thread!
Huge thanks to keit for the amazing banner, as well as the IeSF Coverage team - konadora and Pangshai. Many thanks as well to riptide for his contribution!
