Liquid`HuK in GSL Code A Ro8 - Today, 7th March 2011
In just a few hours, Liquid enters the GSL Ro8 in the form of Canadian-American Protoss Chris "Liquid`HuK" Loranger. The lone Liquidian in the quarter finals of this month's GSL, HuK is now tasked with avenging the untimely demise of his teammate Jinro, his comrade who fell in the Code S Ro16. [More]
Liquid`Ret Moves Back to Europe - This Week
Zerg macro beast and fan favourite TLAF-Liquid`Ret this week moves back to home to Helmond, The Netherlands to continue his Starcraft 2 progaming career in Europe. [More]
Liquid`HuK in GSL Code A Ro8 - Today, 7th March 2011
In just a few hours, Liquid enters the GSL Ro8 in the form of Canadian-American Protoss Chris "Liquid`HuK" Loranger. The lone Liquidian in the quarter finals of this month's GSL, HuK is now tasked with avenging the untimely demise of his teammate Jinro, his comrade who fell in the Code S Ro16.
Choo, choo! The conductor drives on.
This is The Incredible HuK's first GSL, and to seeing him go on to the Ro8 has been a fantastic experience. Join us here on TL today to root for him on stream as he takes on his opponent IMLosira. HuK fighting! Gogo Ro4!
Liquid`Ret Moves Back to Europe - This Week
Zerg macro beast and fan favourite TLAF-Liquid`Ret this week moves back to home to Helmond, The Netherlands to continue his Starcraft 2 progaming career in Europe.
Having moved to Korea at the end of 2010, Jos spent the last few months in the Liquid-oGs team house in Incheon, taking part in GSL tournaments and flying out to attend European events like the Assembly LAN, in Helsinki, FI, which he won.
The TSL is about to get under way, and with the bracket being released this weekend hype is certain to reach a new high this week! Find out what Liquid think of the draw and see what their expectations are for this tournament.
Note - TLO has not responded to these questions because he was away at IEM Cebit this weekend keeping you guys entertained with his casting!
See? It is kind of a big deal.
The TSL Bracket was announced this weekend. What do you think of the draw?
HuK: My quarter of the bracket isn't the hardest or easiest so it's all good I guess. Just my first 2 rounds seem to be pretty tough compared to some others. I'm a bit disappointed as well, as I would have preferred to play a Korean first, then a North American, and lastly an European. Also I would of preferred PvZ or PvT over PvP, but that's the luck of the draw, I guess.
HayprO: With this many good matches already in Ro32, I'm really, really looking forward to this tournament. I'm fine with the draw I got, as you cant really get any easy opponent in a tournament of this calibre.
Jinro: I would have preferred to play MorroW later on in the tournament, but there's nothing to complain about.
Ret: Looks good, tons of epic matches, cant wait for the tournament to start.
Tyler: I have one of the most prestigious paths possible. I love it.
What do you make of your opponent?
HuK: Hasuobs has been kind of quiet result wise and I was actually really surprised when I heard he won a TL Open. Then again, he definitely has the experience to handle a tournament of this size.
HayprO: Kas seems to be owning a lot of EU tournaments lately so I'm expecting good matches where I hopefully end up winning.
Jinro: He has been one of the most dedicated players since the beginning of beta.
Ret: One of the better protosses in Europe, will be an interesting match! We have played before.
Tyler: Good, solid player. I'm going to beat him.
Are you happy about the side of the bracket you were seeded into? Would you have preferred the other? Why?
HuK: I would prefer my 1/2 vs the other half I think. Just looking at the players our 1/2 overall seems a bit easier than the other.
HayprO: My bracket seems to be pretty hard but I was expecting this so I'm neither happy nor sad.
Jinro: Dont care much, I guess lagwise I want to be on whatever side has more Koreans and Americans, but I don't spend too much time worrying about where in the bracket I end up, because it's not something I can influence.
Ret: I don't really care, I might have to play Nestea in round 2 but there are a lot of players in this tournament that are really scary so it doesn't matter to me.
Tyler: I am happy about it. I'm in great company.
Based on this draw, who do you hope to face in the rounds to come?
Hi Jos! Thanks for joining us just minutes before you head to the airport as a part of a major change in direction in your progaming career. Tell us what's up.
Hey! I'm gonna go back to the Netherlands and play SC2 from there! Home sweet home.
Would you like to talk a little about what prompted this move?
Sure, I just miss home and my friends, being able to talk to people in a language they actually understand, privacy, freedom, all that good stuff Then there's also the fact that there are way more tournaments going on in Europe and the US which I look forward to playing in.
As much as you look forward to being home again, what are some of the things you will miss about living with your fellow Liquidians in Incheon?
I guess I'll miss my teammates & friends Haypro, Huk, and Jinro, but I'm sure I'm still gonna be seeing them lots over the course of 2011 so I don't think I'll be shedding too many tears~ <3. Other than that I wont miss too much about Korea, maybe some of the good food and the HD stream for GSL
But I'll be ok.
Speaking of food, what's your favourite Korean grub?
Hmm I really like black noodles! The 'Chinese' food they have in Korea is a lot different from European Chinese food and I am quite fond of it! Other than that... Korean BBQ of course! Shocker!
Let's talk a bit about your GSL experience on the whole - was playing in televised games everything you expected it to be?
It was a lot of fun being on TV, and experiencing something similar to OSL/MSL. I didn't quite win enough though. I think I had good chances in every round I lost but just didn't quite pull it off on the day.
Unfortunate, but there's a lot of really good Koreans players that got knocked out too early too.
Shit happens, I guess. I didn't expect too much of last GSL because I've been sick for almost a month and haven't really been able to practice because of that. It's another thing I look forward to about being home again - being healthier
You must miss doing sports too? We know you guys go to the gym in Korea, but are you looking
forward to returning to a more active lifestyle back home?
Heh yeah I really miss playing tennis/squash and such ^^ Also gonna hit the gym hard again once I'm back, miss my workout buddies, they've probably gotten a lot stronger than me over the past months.
You mentioned that you'll be playing more EU/US tourneys. Any particular events you are really looking forward to?
The ones that come to mind first are MLG events, NASL, Dreamhack, and IEM
We look forward to seeing you in them! Any words for your fans as they wait for you to arrive on stream in Europe?
Thanks to everybody who wanted to see me do well! I am sorry I didn't deliver quite in the fashion I had planned but this is far from over! I learned from this experience and I will try my best to perform well in the rest of 2011. Cheers!
We caught up with Jos back home as well.
Hello again! What's it like being back home in Helmond?
Hey, it's pretty awesome! I'm just getting back to my old routine. It's nice to have my own room, my own kitchen again etc. and of course seeing friends and family is great.
How was the flight?
Hehe pretty damn long... went from Seoul to Hong Kong to London to Amsterdam and then a had a two hour train ride! So I was pretty tired when I got home. Been sleeping quite a bit!
You mentioned your own kitchen, so is cooking going to be on the cards anytime soon?
Hmm.. yeah, I'm gonna do plenty of cooking. I miss the Dutch meals I haven't been able to make in a while! ^^
Any dishes in particular you're waiting to eat again?
Well I usually keep it simple with chicken rice and some kinda sauce but I will be looking to expand on that, and maybe learn how to make a nice lasagne.
What about training? How will that work? Ladder? Inhousing with TLO?
Hmm planning on playing like 5-6 hrs a day, probably ladder and some custom games with whoever wants most of it will be ladder I guess.
If there's something you took away from your time in Korea that you hope to apply now as you play from Europe, what would it be?
Hmm well I had been in Korea before so I had already learned how Koreans trained. I just want to keep playing and keep analysing my own game like I have been doing and get better from there. Just need to think a lot about different timings and try to be better always I think Korea just made me understand for a second time just how I need to look at the game. And hopefully it will bring me success in Europe.
All right, well good luck with practice, dude, and hope to have you with us on the Weekly again soon!
Our casting duo returns with a Nuubcast on Scrap Sation. HuK vs Nestea!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C74azJPK8Co
Liquid` is proudly sponsored by The Little App Factory, makers of fine applications for Windows and Mac OS X and fans of great Starcraft! Their flagship program, iRip allows you to recover your music from iPods - a life saver if you, like many of us, do tech support for friends and family. In fact, for a limited time, you can use the coupon code TEAMLIQUID to get 25% off when you get TLAF products!
Want to help support TLAF, the company that supports your team? Beta test their applications. It's a great way to say thanks!
I'm glad Ret is going back to Europe. With the state of Star2 right now, it's hard for Zerg's to advance especially when you only play 1 tournament every month. Hope he has good success back in Europe/US.
So excited to watch HuK play tonight! Should be a good game.
I think a lot of the foreigners are gonna head back just because they are so out of the scene other than GSL while they are in Korea. More like go to Korea for 3-6 months trains then head back and own
I knew Ret was going to come back after his defeat and call me selfish but I am glad. Getting to see ret play in more tournaments beats watching him every once in awhile in GSL .
Glad to have you back Ret can't wait to watch you play more :D
Great work as usual, Riptide! Happy for Ret that he's returning to where he feels most comfortable, but I hope he never gives up his quest for Korean success. He deserves it more than anyone else.
Wasn't a surprise that Ret left Korea. Like IdrA said it in the SOTG (or maybe it was an interview) that after you drop out GSL, you really don't have any tournaments to participate. But hey I'm deffo looking for Ret's play in MLG, NASL, etc.
Happy to hear that Ret's going to be back in Europe killing all those tourneys, i think while he was in Korea he kinda fell by the wayside because he didn't do well in the only tournament there.
Wow, after IEM I've considered the foreigners in korea our only "hope" against the koreans, with 5-6 hours of practice in europe there is no way ret can keep up.
Anyway I'm sure this is the right decision and not everything is about starcraft so.. GL Ret I hope you can prove me wrong!
Will be great to see the European and American players playing against all those big name Koreans, TSL open is going to be amazing. Going to be a big test for so many of those guys, i hope they do well.
Pretty nervous about the Huk game only 40 mins away! GO GO HUK! I hope you go all the way
I imagine at this stage the rest of Liquid wont be far behind in leaving Korea. There doesn't seem to be much of a point battling it out in one big competition stacked with the best players in the world, when there are more and more competitions overseas with much less threatening opponents. Not as much money for one monthly tournament, and not as prestigous, but far, far more likely to win a NASL or MLG than a GSL.
This is a bad thing for the watchability of the GSL but a great thing for the western scene, so overall I'm not too disappointed. I still hope GOM can get enough players to fill the foreign seeds every month and some new blood stays on in code S eventually.
Well im glad ret is going somewhere where he feels more comfortable in terms of success abroad i think we are going to see more koreans playing in western tournaments so hes gonna be in the same position and with less practice time i hope he doesnt fall behind. Look at IEM top 3 all koreans if thats any indicator of whats to come i mean all those guys got eliminated from code a in the first round.
On March 07 2011 17:09 Pokemonxoxo wrote: Are you guys talking ro16 or ro8 for Huk? On the title it says ro8, but in the text it says Huk is entering ro16??
He will be playing in the Ro8. Thank you for pointing out the typo! Fixed.
Much love and respect to Haypro for sticking and going through the bad times with steel will.
Was not a fan before but i'll be sure to cheer extra hard for you from now. Best of luck and hope you'll undergo a change in fortune much like Jinro did.
Ret coming back to europe hell yeaaah ! It's gonna be nice to have Ret on european timezone and laddering on eu server along with TLO and others oh yeah! (: lets hope good stuff is gonna happen for you here in europe home
On March 07 2011 17:24 Elwar wrote: I imagine at this stage the rest of Liquid wont be far behind in leaving Korea. There doesn't seem to be much of a point battling it out in one big competition stacked with the best players in the world, when there are more and more competitions overseas with much less threatening opponents. Not as much money for one monthly tournament, and not as prestigous, but far, far more likely to win a NASL or MLG than a GSL.
This is a bad thing for the watchability of the GSL but a great thing for the western scene, so overall I'm not too disappointed. I still hope GOM can get enough players to fill the foreign seeds every month and some new blood stays on in code S eventually.
i miss the replay pack this month its always a thing i like the most every month gogo ret 4 wining TSL then everyone will see how strong he truly is (if he not build to much drones ofc)
I was kinda expecting Ret to leave Korea soon. Seems like a logical choice since GSL didnt turn out the way he expected and there is so much stuff going on outside of Korea.
Im curious to see what Liquid will do in the NASL. Do players need to live in the USA in order to compete or can for instance Ret and TLO play their games from Europe?
On March 07 2011 17:24 Elwar wrote: I imagine at this stage the rest of Liquid wont be far behind in leaving Korea. There doesn't seem to be much of a point battling it out in one big competition stacked with the best players in the world, when there are more and more competitions overseas with much less threatening opponents. Not as much money for one monthly tournament, and not as prestigous, but far, far more likely to win a NASL or MLG than a GSL.
This is a bad thing for the watchability of the GSL but a great thing for the western scene, so overall I'm not too disappointed. I still hope GOM can get enough players to fill the foreign seeds every month and some new blood stays on in code S eventually.
With TLO looking for an apartment in Stockholm it would be so badass if Ret joins him. I can only imagine TLO's move to be about a training house with Sjow etc. Ret joining that arangement would be sick.
Imagine Morrow joining too when he finishes his highschool education this(?) spring. That would be quite a training environment. They would have morrows scrutiny, ret's know how, TLO's creativity, the stuff of wet dreams .
Not surprising that Ret heads back to Europe, he just seems to play SO MUCH better when he's in a comfertable environment, and clearly GSL wasn't the place for him. He'll do awesome in the upcoming tournaments!
I can only imagine how mentally draining competing for a place in code S must be. One chance per month and if you fail you get a couple of weeks to think about it (and an entire community reminding you of the missed opportunity). While in Europe and US you'll read about players competing and winning every weekend. Players you might consider beatable. I have a lot of respect for those who try to compete in Korea, but I think no less of those who need a change of scenery.
As for the question stated in an earlier reply in this thread: "Is Ret going back to Europe a surrender? Practice in Korea you would assume would be so much better..."
I think neither Ret (or idrA) have "surrendered". Knowing when to make tough decisions to further ones career and happiness is a skill that I find admirable.
On March 07 2011 22:35 Rustug wrote: I can only imagine how mentally draining competing for a place in code S must be. One chance per month and if you fail you get a couple of weeks to think about it (and an entire community reminding you of the missed opportunity). While in Europe and US you'll read about players competing and winning every weekend. Players you might consider beatable. I have a lot of respect for those who try to compete in Korea, but I think no less of those who need a change of scenery.
As for the question stated in an earlier reply in this thread: "Is Ret going back to Europe a surrender? Practice in Korea you would assume would be so much better..."
I think neither Ret (or idrA) have "surrendered". Knowing when to make tough decisions to further ones career and happiness is a skill that I find admirable.
A bit sad but not at all suprised to see Ret move back. I think it's the right decision, but I also think Ret at his full potential could be one of the best candidates out of all foreigners to make a serious bid on the S-class GSL tourney. Would've wanted to see that.
On March 07 2011 17:24 Elwar wrote: I imagine at this stage the rest of Liquid wont be far behind in leaving Korea. There doesn't seem to be much of a point battling it out in one big competition stacked with the best players in the world, when there are more and more competitions overseas with much less threatening opponents. Not as much money for one monthly tournament, and not as prestigous, but far, far more likely to win a NASL or MLG than a GSL.
This is a bad thing for the watchability of the GSL but a great thing for the western scene, so overall I'm not too disappointed. I still hope GOM can get enough players to fill the foreign seeds every month and some new blood stays on in code S eventually.
Im never leaving.
I'm glad to hear that! I remember you mentioning that you were taking Korean classes. Any noticeable improvement?
On March 07 2011 17:57 phyren wrote: God, if Tyler could actually go through his side of the bracket taking out every single GSL champion, I would jizz my pants.
My thoughts exactly. That would be the greatest event ever. Tyler Fighting.
On March 08 2011 00:11 syllogism wrote: Didn't Ret make any friends in oGs? Asking because he didn't mention missing anyone besides the liquid crew.
Since one of his chief complaints was the language barrier, I'm guessing not really. It's hard to truly connect with someone that you can't speak with.
I'm curious why the TL players in Korea seem to be sick frequently. Is the house unsanitary, or is it just from the overcrowding? No sleep? Did someone bring a bug in and it worked through everyone? They should try to correct whatever it is. It's a shame that Ret, after practicing for months and moving across the globe, felt like he just didn't get done on a single day in part because he was sick.
On March 07 2011 17:57 phyren wrote: God, if Tyler could actually go through his side of the bracket taking out every single GSL champion, I would jizz my pants.
My thoughts exactly. That would be the greatest event ever. Tyler Fighting.
On March 08 2011 01:20 NuKedUFirst wrote: I like the way the brackets are set up, so just Huk, Jinro and Haypro in Korea? Best of luck to Ret, He will dominate Europe with TLO :D
yeah because TLO dominated EU as soon as he came back ?:D
On March 08 2011 00:11 syllogism wrote: Didn't Ret make any friends in oGs? Asking because he didn't mention missing anyone besides the liquid crew.
Since one of his chief complaints was the language barrier, I'm guessing not really. It's hard to truly connect with someone that you can't speak with.
I'm curious why the TL players in Korea seem to be sick frequently. Is the house unsanitary, or is it just from the overcrowding? No sleep? Did someone bring a bug in and it worked through everyone? They should try to correct whatever it is. It's a shame that Ret, after practicing for months and moving across the globe, felt like he just didn't get done on a single day in part because he was sick.
Everytime someone has gone to a tournament outside Korea, someone has come back sick (MLG: Me, Dreamhack: TOP, Assembly: Ret).
Is nuubcast some sort of inside joke I'm not in on? Why is this stuff in every weekly? It's kinda 'cute' but I think TL could do a lot better for a weekly featured VOD.
I'm wondering, as pro players frequently say it's better to train as the koreans do (team houses with lots of talk about the game) and (arguably) the koreans seem to get better faster than the foreigners, aren't all foreign players worried they'll get too far behind by living "free", at home without constant practice from large teams. (As for liquidplayers: tyler, tlo and now ret)?
Sure they are awesome players and will win a lot in the foreign scene (I have no doubts) initially, but in the long run - should I worry?
TSL is gonna be epic, and I kind of figured ret would move back. Really Korea is the best place to maybe train, but you can make more money outside of GSL if you're not a Code S star.
On March 07 2011 17:24 Elwar wrote: I imagine at this stage the rest of Liquid wont be far behind in leaving Korea. There doesn't seem to be much of a point battling it out in one big competition stacked with the best players in the world, when there are more and more competitions overseas with much less threatening opponents. Not as much money for one monthly tournament, and not as prestigous, but far, far more likely to win a NASL or MLG than a GSL.
This is a bad thing for the watchability of the GSL but a great thing for the western scene, so overall I'm not too disappointed. I still hope GOM can get enough players to fill the foreign seeds every month and some new blood stays on in code S eventually.
Saw it coming, ret hasn't been doing too well in the GSL and every time I heard him talk about it he always sounded depressed or something. Regardless, glad to see him return to the western scene.
Ahhh no! Bye bye Ret TLO went home from Korea and i feel like it has worked out so good for him .. so i can imagine it is only going to work out amazing for you as well
A question to any of the TL guys, do you think as a team you can set up training conditions in europe that are anywhere close in quality to what you have in Korea? I am just wondering if there is a realistic chance for "foreigners" to win large tournaments in europe or the USA in the future if several koreans take part.
First IdrA... now my fellow dutchman Ret... y bother watching GSL at all? I'm going to miss the good old times... Ret gl with moving back and stuff.. My 2 favorite Zerg.. not represented at the highest level Succes Jos, je blijft een held!
No surprise ret left cause he got his korean training which puts him over 9000 now and will have no trouble winning the easier money such as assembly. No shame in that and I give him props for going to korea not once, but twice in his career.
I respect anyone that goes to korea to give it a shot cause even if they're not successful, the training they get from playing so many good opponents on ladder or in practice is invaluable and can't really be replicated anywhere else in the world. Just look at moonglade, only 1 month korean training and 4th at IEM.
Team houses in the foreign scene could be a start, but the average skill level needs to rise if they want to reach the korean level. To use an extreme example, a bunch of bronze leaguers could start a team house, but they wouldn't get that much better playing each other all the time cause you need to play players better than you to improve. Just look at morrow, his zvz is good by euro standards but blows compared to top zergs as shown by his losses to ret, idra and moonglade and the main reason for that is he has no good zergs to practice with.
he sounded real miserable in korea hehe. Hard though to be away from family/friends, and out of your comfort zone. I think the move is good in his case, better to practice in a situation where your happy mentally.
well i wish ret gl n the future. im a bit sad, since from the beginning of sc2 i saw the chance of europeans that can compete with the "korean power". But TLO Idra and ret leaving... i just guess the gap will grow bigger and bigger again, and there wil be a split from the "Koreans" and the others.
Awesome to have ret back in Europe!!! Welcome home, I hope to also see you participating in the smaller weekly tournaments like Go4Sc2, Zotac and such regularly, one can also accumulate quite some money in those and more important - we can see you play more often :D I wish TLO played in those sometimes as well. And as some guy mentioned above: HomeStory Cup #3!!!!!
Ret~ as an avid fan, who has learned so much from you, I appreciate your message of confidence in yourself. A man of your talents could be easily discouraged by the difficulties you encountered in the GSL, but such a man has no reason to despair. I am especially proud of your victory at Assembly (a fond memory I recall whenever I feel bullied by protoss), and I can't wait to see you dismember the NASL with what you have learned in Korea.
Bummer to hear about ret. I was hoping he would eventually make a break through, whether it was next season or a while from now. I understand his reasoning though. I wouldn't be happy living in a foreign country, cramped into a gaming house and sleeping on bunk beds. GL ret!
On March 08 2011 08:48 Canucklehead wrote: No surprise ret left cause he got his korean training which puts him over 9000 now and will have no trouble winning the easier money such as assembly. No shame in that and I give him props for going to korea not once, but twice in his career.
I respect anyone that goes to korea to give it a shot cause even if they're not successful, the training they get from playing so many good opponents on ladder or in practice is invaluable and can't really be replicated anywhere else in the world. Just look at moonglade, only 1 month korean training and 4th at IEM.
Team houses in the foreign scene could be a start, but the average skill level needs to rise if they want to reach the korean level. To use an extreme example, a bunch of bronze leaguers could start a team house, but they wouldn't get that much better playing each other all the time cause you need to play players better than you to improve. Just look at morrow, his zvz is good by euro standards but blows compared to top zergs as shown by his losses to ret, idra and moonglade and the main reason for that is he has no good zergs to practice with.
morrow's zvz isn't good by foreign standards though, idra, commenting on morrow's zvz said "he doesn't have any idea how to play zvz"; I doubt idra would say this about other foreign zergs such as dimaga.
EPT
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