For the past few years, the MSL was one gigantic cocktease. Savior-Bisu was derailed by Mind, Jaedong-Flash by ForGG, Bisu-Jaedong by Free, Flash-Stork by Leta. There hasn't been a hyped cross-match final in the MSL since Savior-Nal_Ra in 2006. But finally, after years of watching great OSL Finals and cooler OSL intro videos, the little brother of the individual leagues can finally stand up and say "look at me." This time, the MSL is guaranteed a better final. Jaedong-Flash is "0-3 proof." In fact, an 3-0 sweep either way would make the final that much more amazing. This is the final we have all been waiting for.

Jaedong is very fortunate that games one and five will both be played on Match Point - a map which has caused Flash considerable headaches vs Zerg. The Ultimate Weapon has been beaten in both a drawn out macro match (by HyuN - go figure) and in a relatively short match where a strong mutalisk harass allowed ZerO to take his half of the map handily and crush Flash before the 16 minute mark. The point being: Flash is vulnerable on the opening and closing map of the series.

It's no secret that Flash has the advantage on Ultimatum, Odd-Eye, and Fighting Spirit (as we've already seen from their series in the OSL). If Jaedong is going to take away the Gold on Saturday he will need to focus on outplaying Flash on Match Point and formulating some strategies that can steal a game or two in between. It won't be any easy task, but I think Jaedong pulls it off.

Jaedong > Flash on Match Point
Jaedong > Flash on Ultimatum
Flash > Jaedong on Odd-Eye
Flash > Jaedong on Fighting Spirit
Jaedong > Flash on Match Point

Personal Prediction: Flash 3-1, kids on the forums making threads with the combination of keywords 'Flash' and 'Bonjwa'.

Flash < Jaedong on Match Point
Flash > Jaedong on Ultimatum
Flash > Jaedong on Odd-Eye
Flash > Jaedong on Fighting Spirit

Simply put, the goal set by the MBCgame PD's since the start of the season was to kill off the numerous amount of mediocre Zergs qualifying for the major individual leagues. This was achieved by using the map pool. While Match Point appears to be Flash's achilles heel, Jaedong is going to darn struggle on Ultimatum, Odd-Eye and Fighting Spirit in the current form Flash is in at the moment.

The way I see it, the only ways I see that Jaedong can win is with some really unorthodox builds which catch Flash off, fusing with another Zerg (Calmdong) or a riot breaks out in Yeouido because only 700 people can fit into the damn place.

Flash, 3-0
The maps are heavily in Flash's favor. He has been playing better against Zerg than any other Terran has since Shark revolutionized the matchup with muta micro. He has shown that he is able to embrace his cheesy roots yet also shows incredible standard play. One year ago, the result of this series would have been completely in doubt. Today, the identity of the winner-to-be is a foregone conclusion.

I think the most likely result is Flash 3-1. I say that because Flash has the edge and its the most often score of a bo5 (probably because, combination wise, it has the most possible results).

I'm inclined to say Match Point will be the map Jaedong wins on, but its probably too close to call. Seeing Jaedong go WLLL would be the funniest result to me so I'm definitely rooting for it. The maps are good for terran, which may be relevant, though I suspect with these two specific players its less of a factor than in other series.

When we get 2 players of this caliber fighting over a long series for king of the hill, it boils down to the mental game. Flash has done nothing but gain momentum in the past few months. His TvZ in particular has looked unstoppable, and he just had a satisfying victory for an OSL title. He now has the chance at true greatness, snatching two golds in a single season. He is approaching the top of his curve skill wise, and has yet to show any signs of slowing down. I doubt he will until several weeks after he wins another gold.

I see starcraft skill for those at the top to be a sine wave. Jaedong, in comparison, is now coming down the crest of that wave. He earned 2 OSL golds back to back, and got his gold mouse. He has looked slightly less than unstoppable in the past months, and its fair to say he isn't in quite the same form as he was during his series with fantasy. He is a fierce opponent, but he simply can't have the same drive Flash does.

Flash losing 0-3 in their last best of 5 series is only going to fuel his desire to take the title this time around.

Therefore as I said, Flash in 4. Jaedong is no walk over, it could certainly go the full amount but Flash has a clear advantage.

NOTE - Arrian chose to use the questions from the "FAN FACEOFF" to give his prediction

There has been a lot of hype around the Lee-Ssang Rok match-up. Given their past records, do you think this series will live up to the hype?

Absolutely. The Classic Season 1 was marred by the 3-0 sweep and the fact that it wasn't legitimized by KesPA. I think that will allow Flash to put that out of his mind, and frankly, both players are playing better Starcraft than they ever have before. The Flash-Jaedong rivalry emerged as both players were emerging onto the scene, and they'll both always be judged to some extent by how they perform against each other. Neither will want to pass up on this opportunity to seize an edge.

The last time Jaedong and Flash met in a finals situation, Jaedong won 3-0. How does that factor in this time around?

It doesn't even play a role. Flash knows the way he played in that final didn't reflect at all what kind of player he is, and Jaedong knows it too. Both will be gritting their teeth and expecting their opponent to give them no quarter.

There is talk about the maps favoring Terran, how important will this be?

Well, the matchup itself favors Terran, and that's never stopped Jaedong. Jaedong's talent and ability surpasses maps. Jaedong is a perfect 4-0 on Match Point, 1-0 on Ultimatum, 2-0 on Odd-Eye, and is 7-2 on Fighting Spirit. In rivalries, anything can happen. What matters far more than the maps is that Jaedong is playing Flash.

Flash beat Jaedong pretty solidly in the recent OSL, is this a sign of things to come?

No. I remember watching progaming as a fascination in 2007, but I didn't get into it until I started watching these two. I remember Jaedong laying a beating on Stork in EVER 2007, and then feeling bad for Flash as he managed to face Jaedong in the MSL, OSL, and the Star Invitational. I thought he was done for. But Flash stunned us all, and his victories over Jaedong propelled his career lightyears beyond his reputation as a puny cheeser. There won't be a 3-0 sweep this time, not after GOM. This rivalry means everything to these players.

In short, who will win this series and why?

3-2 Flash.

This isn't just a chapter in the most important rivalry of the modern era of Starcraft, this could very well be its climax. This could be the finals that we look back on and say "This is the turning point, this is where everything changed." I'm calling it: In the most epic finals of our time, Flash overpowers Jaedong in a charged fifth set to be remembered.

This is definitely the most anticipated Finals in the history of StarCraft. Even the commentators from the OGN side have taken their time to comment on the upcoming match. Flash is currently playing the best he has ever played before, and Jaedong is also looking deadly as ever. With both players given much more time off Proleague duties, there is no doubt that these 2 rivals will give us an amazing series.

Here's my take on the games. Flash is definitely looking unstoppable, and I do think that he will take the series as well as a dual Starleague win. However, Jaedong is still Jaedong, and since he has been given the chance to watch how many other Zergs have failed against Flash (Kwanro, Calm, and all the other Zergs that Flash raped recently) I am sure he will be learning from their mistakes and be prepared as ever. Losing to Flash 0-2 in the OSL will also have triggered his must-get-revenge mode.

I'm predicting Jaedong to be utilizing strategies more akin to Calm's strategies in the OSL. While Calm's mutalisk micro isn't really terrible, Jaedong built most of his career by destroying Terrans with it. I'm predicting that the delicate balance of Terran defending 2 hatch muta and Zerg trying to kill as many marines as possible and keeping Terran at bay will be taken to the extreme in this finals. Jaedong, unlike Calm, will probably sneak in a 5 pool somewhere in the series as well.

On the other hand, Flash definitely has the mind game advantage right now. He is simply perfect at all aspects of the game whether at early, mid, or late game. Furthermore, Flash has the advantage of his cheese builds which frankly, must be really scary to any Zerg. Mid game is also incredibly hard for Zerg, with Flash's odd MnM attack timing and denying of 3rd expo. And as we've all seen in his game against Calm, late game Flash is just an impenetrable wall.

Overall I'm predicting strong play by Jaedong, but it will still not be enough to topple the Ultimate Weapon that is Flash. 3-1 to Flash!