• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 18:39
CEST 00:39
KST 07:39
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Power Rank - Esports World Cup 202529RSL Season 1 - Final Week8[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall15HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16
Community News
BSL Team Wars - Bonyth, Dewalt, Hawk & Sziky teams1Weekly Cups (July 14-20): Final Check-up0Esports World Cup 2025 - Brackets Revealed19Weekly Cups (July 7-13): Classic continues to roll8Team TLMC #5 - Submission re-extension4
StarCraft 2
General
RSL Revival patreon money discussion thread The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Power Rank - Esports World Cup 2025 Esports World Cup 2025 - Final Player Roster Why doesnt SC2 scene costream tournaments
Tourneys
Esports World Cup 2025 Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament Sea Duckling Open (Global, Bronze-Diamond) FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response
Custom Maps
External Content
Mutation # 483 Kill Bot Wars Mutation # 482 Wheel of Misfortune Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame
Brood War
General
BSL Team Wars - Bonyth, Dewalt, Hawk & Sziky teams BW General Discussion BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Flash Announces (and Retracts) Hiatus From ASL Corsair Pursuit Micro?
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [BSL 2v2] ProLeague Season 3 - Friday 21:00 CET The Casual Games of the Week Thread BWCL Season 63 Announcement
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread [MMORPG] Tree of Savior (Successor of Ragnarok) Path of Exile CCLP - Command & Conquer League Project
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread The Games Industry And ATVI Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[\m/] Heavy Metal Thread Anime Discussion Thread Movie Discussion! [Manga] One Piece Korean Music Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Ping To Win? Pings And Their…
TrAiDoS
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Socialism Anyone?
GreenHorizons
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 627 users

[TSL] Grand Final Preview

Forum Index > News
244 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 11 12 13 Next All

[TSL] Grand Final Preview

Text byXxio
Graphics byKennigit
May 14th, 2011 21:46 GMT
[image loading]

LIVE from TL:HQ
[image loading] [image loading] Dignitas.NaNiwa vs. mouz.ThorZaIN [image loading] [image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]

Naniwa
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]

TSL Victories: 2-1 Ret [image loading] 3-1 Goody [image loading] 3-2 Cruncher [image loading] 4-1 HasuObs
Liquibet: 4768 (49.25%)
Pre-Final Interview: Transformation
PvT Record: 148 wins - 67 losses (68.84%)
Best Streak: 18 wins
Worst Streak: 5 losses
Current Streak: 3 wins
Best TSL Map: Shakuras Plateau (71.42%)

Thorzain
[image loading]
[image loading]
[image loading]

TSL Victories: 2-0 FruitDealer [image loading] 3-0 Tyler [image loading] 3-2 MC [image loading] 4-1 Kas
Liquibet: 4912 (50.75%)
Pre-Final Interview: Trailblazing
TvP Record: 22 wins - 9 losses (70.97%)
Best Streak: 8 wins
Worst Streak: 2 losses
Current Streak: 2 losses
Best TSL Map: Shakuras Plateau (80.00%)


1st Place Prize: $15,000 and TSL4 Seed
2nd Place Prize: $7,000 and TSL4 Seed

When the TSL began, competitive StarCraft 2 was in a whole different world. The IEM World Championship had just ended with Koreans taking home first, second and third. Idra had withdrawn from the March GSL, leaving Jinro as the only foreigner in Code S. Of the four foreigners in Code A, only Huk had made it past the round of 32. Foreign players were being tossed around like leaves on a windy day. MC 4-1'd July in the GSL finals to take his second GSL championship and was being proclaimed by the masses as the undisputed best player in the world.
      A month prior, a Swedish Terran named Marcus Eklof had won his second tournament ever, the 2011 TeamSpeak TeamLiquid Open #12. Outside of the Nordic scene no one knew who he was. And what did it matter? In the TSL he was matched up against one of the most beloved players, FruitDealer, who had battered and beat (T)Virus to a pulp in the GSL Up/Down S2 four days before Thorzain's debut. FruitDealer was in form with two very impressive ZvT wins and a spot in GSL Code S S3. Meanwhile, the former Brood War superstar and Assembly Winter champ, Ret, was prepping for a repeat of his 2-0 sweep of Naniwa at Assembly. The Dignitas Protoss had yet to make his insane run and victory at MLG Dallas and was still cooling in the shadow of his removal from the ESL Pro Series, and exit from MyM. Infamous for bad manner and an unprofessional demeanor, he was not hoped or favoured to advance.
      As the weeks passed Naniwa and Thorzain cut a path to the finals. Ignoring pontificating fanboys and all manner of precedent, they toppled players like trees to an axe. Five different countries were knocked down and out of the TSL as the compatriots clutched through round after round with no-nonsense, extremely prepared play. Thorzain became the people's champion by dethroning MC and debunking the myth that Koreans could not be beat. For Naniwa, each advancement was a hammer blow that reforged his image into the awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying one that it is today.
      The TSL started on March 19th. Since then, Naniwa, at an 68.84% all-time PvT win percentage, has won 28 PvTs and lost three. Thorzain, at 70.97% in the matchup, has gone 6-4. Even still, Liquibetters are split on who will win. When it comes to Thorzain, what you see on paper is irrespective of what you see on screen. His ability to defeat a variety of grizzled, experienced players, in just as many scenarios, shows that he is impossible to predict. Thorzain carries his momentum with him from one game to the next, like a hammer that defies Newton's third law. Naniwa is the opposite. He looks good on paper, and he plays like you expect him to. Everything about his play is polished to a shine; like a seamless, gilded armour that bore him to the finals. There are no two players more deserving or talented. On Sunday we will be watching the best, playing at the dawn of a new era.


Cheerfuls !
[image loading]
[image loading]




This TSL is sponsored by PokerStrategy.com, the world's largest poker school and community. With hundreds of Poker VODs and an assortment of learning material in 18 different languages, PokerStrategy.com offers the chance for aspiring Poker players to learn from a beginner to a professional level. Sign up using TL's referral link.

By signing up, you can also enter the TSL3 Raffle, where you can win a 5-night trip to South Korea for 2 people to watch StarCraft live in person and tour the oGs-Liquid house.

Discuss with other fans in the TSL3 Forum
.
Facebook Twitter Reddit
KTY
HawaiianPig
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Canada5155 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-14 21:50:25
May 14 2011 21:47 GMT
#2
Hypppppppe

This was Pholon's idea:

[image loading]
AdministratorNot actually Hawaiian.
Vandeam
Profile Joined March 2011
Norway28 Posts
May 14 2011 21:48 GMT
#3
nice
SilentShout
Profile Joined March 2011
686 Posts
May 14 2011 21:48 GMT
#4
Super excited, tomorrow can't come fast enough. Go Thorzain!!
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
May 14 2011 21:48 GMT
#5
SO EXCITED
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
Zim23
Profile Joined August 2010
United States1681 Posts
May 14 2011 21:48 GMT
#6
Haha that Naniwa cheerful cracks me up every time. HYYYYYYYYPE!!!!
Do an arranged marriage if she's not completely minging, and don't worry about dancing, get a go-kart, cheers.
Callobono
Profile Joined March 2011
Norway57 Posts
May 14 2011 21:49 GMT
#7
Cant wait for this really hopeing it will finaly be a epic showdown in a big tournamnet finals :D
Volband
Profile Joined March 2011
Hungary6034 Posts
May 14 2011 21:51 GMT
#8
gogogog Thorzain!
BoldMan
Profile Joined September 2010
United States168 Posts
May 14 2011 21:51 GMT
#9
should change the title from

[TSL] Grand Final

to

[TSL3] Grand Final
[b] Bold men make bold statements [/b]
Heyoka
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Katowice25012 Posts
May 14 2011 21:53 GMT
#10
[TSL] is our standard news tag I'm keeping it.


On May 15 2011 06:47 HawaiianPig wrote:
Hypppppppe

This was Pholon's idea:

[image loading]


LOLOL
@RealHeyoka | ESL / DreamHack StarCraft Lead
TheDougler
Profile Joined April 2010
Canada8304 Posts
May 14 2011 21:53 GMT
#11
ThorZain FIGHTING!!!
I root for Euro Zergs, NA Protoss* and Korean Terrans. (Any North American who has beat a Korean Pro as Protoss counts as NA Toss)
Kevan
Profile Joined April 2011
Sweden2303 Posts
May 14 2011 21:54 GMT
#12
Naniwa fighting!
SC2, rip in pepperinos
TOCHMY
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
Sweden1692 Posts
May 14 2011 21:54 GMT
#13
WOOH! Go ThorZaiN! Go NaNiwa! Go both! I don't know who I'm cheering for but the matches will most definately be the best yet!
Yoona <3 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Look! It's Totoro! ☉.☉☂
Malgrif
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
Canada1095 Posts
May 14 2011 21:55 GMT
#14
Naniwa has this in the bag!!
for there to be pro there has to be noob.
Backpack
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States1776 Posts
May 14 2011 21:56 GMT
#15
Best TSL map for both is Shakuras. Who will take it? :o
"You people need to just generally care a lot less about everything." -Zatic
Corr
Profile Joined January 2009
Denmark796 Posts
May 14 2011 21:58 GMT
#16
On May 15 2011 06:47 HawaiianPig wrote:
Hypppppppe

This was Pholon's idea:

[image loading]


5/5 :D :D :D

I think Naniwa is losing his momentum :x
On the other hand, Thorzain on LAN?

I have no idea.

STOKED!
Bamm
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden279 Posts
May 14 2011 21:59 GMT
#17
THORZAIN LOVE U AND I BELIVE IN U <3 fighting!
Bamm and the dirt is gone!
overshard
Profile Joined November 2010
United States45 Posts
May 14 2011 21:59 GMT
#18
Guaranteed to be better than the GSL finals!
Frostmister
Profile Joined January 2011
Sweden77 Posts
May 14 2011 22:02 GMT
#19
You can do it Naniwa!!!

NaNiwa hwaiting !!! ~~
"This matchup makes me wanna commit suicide" - Naniwa
Immer[Forever]
Profile Joined May 2003
Sweden278 Posts
May 14 2011 22:02 GMT
#20
I don't like that american psycho gif disturbing
1 2 3 4 5 11 12 13 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Next event in 11h 22m
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Nathanias 204
Livibee 121
Liquid`TLO 120
ForJumy 53
StarCraft: Brood War
Hyuk 443
Aegong 75
NaDa 31
League of Legends
Dendi1123
syndereN243
Counter-Strike
fl0m2148
Fnx 1485
flusha268
Other Games
summit1g11124
tarik_tv7579
Grubby3201
FrodaN1909
C9.Mang0224
ViBE124
Maynarde98
Sick47
rubinoeu11
Liquid`Ken10
Organizations
Other Games
BasetradeTV20
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• RyuSc2 28
• intothetv
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• Diggity16
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• masondota22421
League of Legends
• Doublelift4944
Other Games
• imaqtpie1342
• Scarra1001
Upcoming Events
Esports World Cup
11h 22m
ByuN vs Zoun
SHIN vs TriGGeR
Cyan vs ShoWTimE
Rogue vs HeRoMaRinE
Clem vs Solar
Reynor vs Maru
herO vs Cure
Serral vs Classic
Esports World Cup
1d 11h
Esports World Cup
2 days
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
CSO Cup
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
3 days
Bonyth vs Sziky
Dewalt vs Hawk
Hawk vs QiaoGege
Sziky vs Dewalt
Mihu vs Bonyth
Zhanhun vs QiaoGege
QiaoGege vs Fengzi
FEL
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
Bonyth vs Zhanhun
Dewalt vs Mihu
Hawk vs Sziky
Sziky vs QiaoGege
Mihu vs Hawk
Zhanhun vs Dewalt
Fengzi vs Bonyth
[ Show More ]
Sparkling Tuna Cup
6 days
Online Event
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

CSL Xiamen Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
Murky Cup #2

Ongoing

Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
BSL20 Non-Korean Championship
Esports World Cup 2025
CC Div. A S7
Underdog Cup #2
FISSURE Playground #1
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25

Upcoming

CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
BSL Season 21
RSL Revival: Season 2
SEL Season 2 Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
FEL Cracov 2025
HCC Europe
ESL Pro League S22
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.