|
[IEM] European Championship Finals
January 20th, 2011 05:49 GMT
On January 20th at 10:00 GMT (+00:00) the IEM V European Championship Finals will be be kicking off in Kiev, Ukraine. Twelve players fought tooth and nail in the online equivalent of the Thirty Years' War to qualify for a spot in the finals and a chance at $7,500. In the aftermath 10 Terrans and 2 Protoss remained. Thankfully, Terran vs. Terran is one of StarCraft 2's most exciting and dynamic match ups, and the players are top tier. Oh, and the top 4 qualify for IEM's World Championship. If you watched IEM's Cologne or NYC tournaments, you know what quality to expect. If not, well, you're in for a treat. Let's take a look at the star-studded lineup.
The Players ![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1777.jpg)
 SjoW | Sjow may be the most threatening and accomplished Terran player in this tournament. In the few months StarCraft 2 has been released, he has racked up 13 gold medals and 3 silvers. Sjow's most notable achievements are winning two CraftCups back-to-back, the DSRack #3 tournament, and 2nd place in the recent PokerIdol European Championship, in which he defeated Liquid`Haypro in the semifinals and barely lost to TLO 3-2. However, this past weekend in the 2nd Homestory Cup Sjow was quickly beaten out 2-1 by Dimaga and Socke. Sjow left the IEM Championship group stage 3-0 and 4-1 in TvT, a good sign for the upcoming tournament. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1425.jpg)
PredY | PredY is probably one of the least known players in the tournament, but that does not mean you should count him out. PredY has been on a tear since November when he beat Naniwa and Haypro to take 1st in the 24th Zotac Cup. More recently he defeated Sjow, KiwiKaki, and AhhBoxxah in the 9th TeamLiquid Open before losing to the eventual runner-up, GoOdy. There are so many big names going to Ukraine that if PredY can clutch out good results he will quickly become a StarCraft 2 household name. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1221.jpg)
GoOdy | GoOdy is going to the Ukraine with 8 golds and 8 silvers. A solid player since retail, GoOdy's skill and momentum have only grown. In December, he won 3 first place finishes and 1 second place finish. This January he has already won a tournament and come 2nd in another. Though his results in the PokerIdol Championships were dismal, GoOdy has been doing well in the Black Dragon League with wins over Kas and DeMusliM. His first match in Kiev will be against Socke – a tough match for anyone, but especially for GoOdy given his recent results in TvP. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1460.jpg)
 Socke | Time and time again Socke has proved to be one of the best Protoss players in Europe. When StarCraft 2 was released Socke's name was one of the first to keep popping up over and over. Having won 6 medals in August alone, Socke then placed 3rd at MLG Raleigh and 2nd at DSRack #3. In recent months his results dropped off, only to pick up again with a 6-1, 1st place finish over GoOdy and ClouD in the ESL Pro Series Season XVII Finals and a close 4th place finish at the 2nd Homestory Cup. Along with White-Ra and MaNa, Socke is probably the most feared Protoss in Europe. One of Socke's greatest strengths is his ability to multitask and macro far past the 30 minute mark. His games against Jinro at MLG Dallas stand as a testament to his skill. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1720.jpg)
Naama | A strong player from Finland, Naama is best known for his victory over TOP and 1st place finish at DreamHack. In the 2nd Homestory Cup Naama beat top players BRAT_OK, TLO, and Morrow before losing to DreamHack silver medalist, MaNa. While he has his fair share of medals, it is only recently with his big wins at DreamHack that Naama came to the forefront of the international scene. In Kiev, Naama will have another shot at taking a big win. The competition will be fierce, but that's hardly anything new for this Terran player. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1148.jpg)
White-Ra | What is there to say about White-Ra. Dubbed the 'Granddaddy of eSports', he has probably played more games of StarCraft than all of the other players in this tournament combined. Famous for being at the top of the Brood War scene since the beginning of time and taking a game off Boxer, White-Ra has already started to build an even scarier reputation in StarCraft 2. This past weekend White-Ra defeated, among many players, ClouD, TLO, DeMusliM, Naniwa, PainUser, Dimaga, Sen, Machine, and MorroW to win 1st place in the 2nd Homestory Cup, the SCReddit Invitational, and Root Gaming's WARZONE, three of the most difficult tournaments to date. Before 2011, expectations for White-Ra were low. Many did not count him among the top players in the world. Now, White-Ra is a favourite to win this tournament. With his veteran experience, momentum, trademark aggression, and home turf advantage, White-Ra certainly makes an intimidating opponent. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1693.jpg)
Kas | Kas will be a player to watch for in Kiev. Coming from the rising team Empire, Kas has racked up 11 gold medals in his StarCraft 2 career and shows no sign of slowing down. Though definitely not the strongest player in the Championship Finals, Kas has still taken down GoOdy, BRAT_OK, and Naniwa in 2011, and has already qualified for TSL3. Kas is well-rounded with telling wins in all match ups, but this will be the largest StarCraft 2 tournament he has every played in. I hope he can keep his composure and show us what he is capable of. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1272.jpg)
SarenS | SarenS made a name for himself at IEM Cologne by almost taking out IdrA in a very intense series. Afterwards, IdrA noted that SarenS was a good Terran player (a rare compliment, especially at the time) that had a strong macro game. Since then SarenS has fallen a bit off the map. Recent tournament wins over Naniwa and Merz show that he is still a contender, but in the Championship Finals, that means very little. He will need to bring all his skills to bear if he wants to beat Europe's elite. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1137.jpg)
Tarson | Like many of the other ex-Brood War pros, Tarson has been doing quite well in StarCraft 2. Consistency seems to be his forte – not a month has gone by since StarCraft 2's release that he did not place top 3 in a tournament. In Kiev he will be trying to keep his streak going into the New Year, and he certainly seems capable of doing so. Though a sound tactician, Tarson has been known to slip in the management game. Faced off against players who will be prowling for any advantage, this may be the factor that decides Tarson's fate. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1275.jpg)
meRz | Similar to SarenS, Merz has yet to show the world any big results. With a row of silver medals topped off by 1 gold, Merz must be hungry to prove himself. Consistent appearances in Zotac, Viking, and CraftCups show his determination, but unlike the majority of people that will be duking it out in the Ukraine, Merz has not shown leaps and bounds in his skill as a player – that is, until you look at his results from the group stage. Against all odds Merz went 6-1 in his group against KroLu, Dimaga, and DeMusliM, achieving the highest win-rate of all the players and showing that he is more than capable of competing. It will be very interesting to see how Merz handles himself and his opponents in the days to come. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1610.jpg)
ClouD | ClouD comes to StarCraft 2 with many years of experience as a Brood War pro. The Championship Finals may be the biggest StarCraft 2 tournament for ClouD, but I have a feeling he will take it in stride. After all, how intense can it be for someone who played a bo3 against Savior and Xellos in the same day? Years of StarCraft and big stage experience will benefit ClouD greatly, but it will take more than that for him to come out on top. An incredibly lopsided record vs. White-Ra may prove to be ClouD's biggest obstacle should he make it to day 3. |
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/images/players/1589.jpg)
DeMusliM | Recently recruited by EG, DeMusliM has a significant fan base going into this tournament. Known for winning the 1st Homestory Cup and being one of the best European Terrans, DeMusliM is carrying a weight of expectations. A lack of top 3 finishes may give some a cause for concern, and so it should. However, it also means that there is a lot for DeMusliM to gain. As it is with all 12 players, top results will mean a big deal while an early exit, given the calibre of the competition, is nothing to be ashamed of. |
The next few days are going to be bring us a torrent of top-notch games. Check out the official IEM V Championship Finals schedule and set aside a few hours to watch Europe's best knock heads.
ESL TV is the official stream for the tournament and ESL TV SC2 will be covering "additional StarCraft 2 matches". ESL also offers premium, higher quality streams which can be found, along with links to the free streams, on the same page as the schedule. The Championship Finals are here and the war is almost over. Tune in to watch the finale to IEM Season V and the crowning of a champion.
|
Should be a great tourney - thanks for the coverage
|
Looks incredibly promising!
|
|
|
Oh man, I'm really hoping White-Ra and Socke can go deep in this just to keep the tournament a little interesting. That being said, go Sjow and DeMu!
|
15 terran
5 toss
3 zerg
1 random
Wow, that's gonna be an exciting tournament.
good writeup, though!
|
Ouch >_< not a single zerg made it...that sucks.
Ah well, here's hoping to some GG's!
GO GO DEMUSLIM!!!! EG HWAITING!
|
It appears a certain race is missing from this finals 
|
I'm rooting hard for white-ra in this one! 
|
I hope the winners get paid, that'd be really awesome.
Duckload fighting!!!
|
Sweet writeup
Also-
This shouldn't be too surprising considering the state of the European sc2 scene, but...
10 T, 2 P, 0!!! Z
OMG
|
Great writeup!
I haven't seen any of Naama's play since dreamhack; I'm really excited to see what he's doing these days. His tank marine pushes vs Mana were brutal. Additionally, anything with whitera is obviously a must watch. It's a little sad that there are no z's but such is life.
Looking forward to watching this!
|
Something is missing from this.
Only MarineKingPrime can make TvT fun to watch, and Jinro.
gogogoogo white-ra
|
Oh woohoo more Terran. I mean, go e-Sports and everything, but jesus this line up is absurd.
|
can't wait to see the white load take it down!
|
That's a lotta Terran! Go White-Ra.
|
The old protoss will show these terrans whats up.
|
Wow talk about an extreme ratio of races. 10 Terran, 2 Protoss, and 0 Zergs. Not trying to spark a debate in anyway just an observation. Anyways Go Whit-Ra!
|
Jesus christ this article made me smile/cry out of happiness. Great read, and this tourney is going to be as awesome as, dont fucking know, to damn awesome to describe properly.
GOOOOO Demuslim!
|
go demuslim!!!
i hope he goes to korea in tip top shape, so idra can finally start getting some meaningful practice!
|
I have only 1-day-ticket and hope to see some action in groups.
Its not really fun to watch stream at home when iem is about 20 minutes from your home.
|
This is Whitera's tournament to lose. I honestly can't see anyone who could remotely challenge him, he's just too hot right now.
|
ah crap, had I been smart enough to know about this beforehand, I'd fly down there and see it 
|
Ow, Europe always has masses of Terran in their tourneys.
Still some great players, so I might watch if i have time.
Edit : This isn't in the "Upcoming events" thing. Might want to add it so people can check times and stuff easier.
|
Russian Federation174 Posts
|
GO GRANDPA TOSS GO! its white-ra time to shine once again!
or maybe demuslim ;D go eg too
|
Can't wait for this. SOCKEEEEE!
|
god, why are there so many terrans??!! Like we have enough in GSL but in European scene too?
Hope white-ra prevail
well atleast we gonna see White-Ra vs Terran since most recent tournaments showcase his crazy WvZ
Go go go go White-Ra
|
|
|
|
|
GO WhiteRA!!! (and socke too)
I didn't really believe the zerg being at a disadvantage right now but wow, can't argue with that line up.
**Even though the odds are stacked, If a Terran wins this tourney he needs to apologize for playing his race
|
i just wanna say MAD PROBS to Xxio for writing small introduction/standings for ALL the players :D more of the big featured tournament news should have that imo,so please do it again ^^
great job!
|
Katowice25012 Posts
Nice preview, well done!
MAD PROBS.
|
I think this will be a test of who has the best TvT. I honestly can't be too hyped for a tournament that will have the same matchup in over half of the games guaranteed.
|
Go go White-Ra go go Socke
This will be awesome
|
i absolutely love TvT, this will be an awesome tournament to follow \o/ i just hope atleast one will do crazy battlecuiser builds or nukes or everything combined
|
On January 20 2011 15:42 Meapak_Ziphh wrote:
This is Whitera's tournament to lose. I honestly can't see anyone who could remotely challenge him, he's just too hot right now.
That's a bit naive, SC2 doesnt work like that.
He is definitely the favourite but that doesnt mean all that much, theres 3 players in here that I would be hugely surprised to see at the top, other than that anyone can take it.
|
Hope Socke or WhiteRa win this and break the (boring) Terran dominance.
|
On January 20 2011 14:56 T0fuuu wrote:It appears a certain race is missing from this finals
Totally noticed that myself, oh dear me LOL. White-Ra Fighting <3
Thanks for the coverage as always TL.
|
Absolutely awesome lineup of players. A great mix of faces new and old, young and veteran.
I hope White-Ra dominates, bringing out a Protoss beacon above this Sea of Terrans.
I'm quite excited to see what could be the most epic TvTs yet, competing even with the best of GSL. The Europeans are sure to provide the best of their macro game for our viewing pleasure.
|
|
|
where did you burry these old pictures out?
i guess finding them while cleaning the cellar
|
Only Terran? Terran imba? well... Do you remember when in both OSL and MSL there were nearly only zerg in the semis? Where zerg imba then? Or was it the maps... And the metagame, where Protoss and Terran couldn't deal with new zerg strats at the time!
Looking forward to this (I like TvTs keke)
|
oh jesus 10 t 2 p 0 z. This tournament may turn out to be a bit monotonous.
|
Sorry to be blunt, but the race distribution is absolutely awful *sigh*. Only TvP, PvP and TvT :/. I don't know if I am as interested as I would be if more zergs would be playing.
|
I will not watch a single game
As artosis said:
zero zerg in iem
thx blizz
bye
|
|
|
Socke & White-ra fighting for aiur!
|
I'll pass on this one. A little too many Terran and too few Zerg for my tastes.
TvT is a great match up, but for me an entire tournament almost purely TvT is just not worth it ._.
Although I suppose White-Ra will make sure that the finals is a TvP.
|
|
|
White-Ra Fighting!
No liquid ):
edit. I think this was supposed to be the article titled "terran it up"
|
On January 20 2011 16:23 Cha1R wrote:
Who will be casting?
Rotterdam+Players
they usually wanted TLO to cast with Rotterdam, but he seems to be sick... at least that's what i've read in the other IEM thread.
So get ready for Rotterdam+White-Ra :D
|
MAD PROPS to ESL for finally having own3d.tv streams. no octo-bullshit looking forward to whitera vs naama
|
What is it with IEM and lack of zerg! Just like IEM NY.
Go White-Ra + Demuslim!
|
I would love to see how long a game goes between GoOdy and Jinro
|
Demuslim and White-Ra fighting!!!!
|
He is not ClouD that guy in the photo xD
|
Great writeup - thanks! WTB some zergs though. I wish some had qualified.
|
|
|
Nice article, there's just a little mistake. Naama didn't win against BratOK, but Brat had to leave the tournament after his win against TLO, that's why they decided to make as if he lost to Naama.
White-Ra and Socke must be quite confident, with only one match-up to train.
|
|
|
TLO is doing commentary, I'm interested. But I hope he can battle through all the physical problems he had so he can return to the competitive level.
About racial distribution, it's sad that European zerg lacks in numbers. Not that DIMAGA is bad.
|
No Zergs and too much rans :'(
Go White-Ra.
|
Cloud's pic is wrong. That's not him :o)
|
this sounds like a terrible tourny there is going to be TvTs out the ass. I just want any of the ukrianians to win Also holy hell goody and socke look greasy.
|
how many of these guys advance to the world championship?
edit: omg it's in the OP, i'm such an idiot.
|
Katowice25012 Posts
On January 21 2011 03:58 NeV wrote:
Cloud's pic is wrong. That's not him :o)
Not sure how that happened but should be fixed now :o)
(might have to refresh the page if you still see the old one)
|
white-ra is on fire and nothing can stop that beast
|
|
|
so many terran -___-
I wish there are some zerg players too
anyway, gl to all players and hoping for some gg ;D
|
WTF socke is a girl? i thought she was a male progamer.
|
are there any VODs or replays available?
thanks! )
|
Sc2 is just TvT ... its almost disgusting
|
somebody knows when tlo is casting??
hope white ra wins this
thx
|
White Ra vs EGDeMusliM coming up in 5 mins gogogog
|
Naama did not beat BratOK in the 2nd Homestory Cup as the OP implies. It was the other way around.
|
I hope a P wins, even if i doubt that's posible.
go protoss!.
|
I'm surprised TL, being the most popular SC site, doesn't provide real coverage of major foreign tourneys. Other sites have constant updates, interviews, vods, etc, etc. Perhaps it would be worth sending somebody there or at least having somebody on the pay roll making updates? No offense, I'm sure running a site such as this isn't a cakewalk.
|
|
|
On January 23 2011 00:54 JayDee_ wrote:
I'm surprised TL, being the most popular SC site, doesn't provide real coverage of major foreign tourneys. Other sites have constant updates, interviews, vods, etc, etc. Perhaps it would be worth sending somebody there or at least having somebody on the pay roll making updates? No offense, I'm sure running a site such as this isn't a cakewalk.
No teamliquid members there, maybe they just dont care?
|
The stream doesn't ever load for me, any ideas?
|
Well i done some coverage of the event if anyones interested in that sort of thing all on the front page of http://www.team-dignitas.net/ i done loads already photos 2
Sorry if it seems kinda pulp fiction styley all very rushed im in the middle of rendering SjoW vs Tarson
will do a high light of the finals with interview and run throughs from mers and tarson as well
please let me know what you think and stuff ! feedback is always good
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/IEM/IEMEUFinals_banner.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/IEM/IEMEUFinals_top.jpg)
