EPTThe Next Level
The GSTL has always been a difficult place for teams not stationed in Korea. The extreme competition, the team house environment, and the attractiveness of NA/EU centered events conspired to make a team league with a Korean center off-limits to all but the most daring. Only a few have found themselves lucky enough to be in a situation where they can commit to the several month long league.
First FXOpen launched an expedition to the land of the GSTL. Then the rag-tag group of F. United. Today we are happy to announce that Liquid, along with Fnatic, will join their ranks as the newest foreign-based teams to throw their hats in with the likes of Incredible Miracle, Prime, and SlayerS.
Starting at the end of this month, Liquid` will have enough players to field a full GSTL team and will participate on their own, free (for the moment) from under the wings of Old Generations. Full format and details here.
Here is what the team, and Mr. Chae, have to say about it.
GSL Director - Chae Jung Won
Comments on Liquid` in the GSTL
"We are extremely glad that TeamLiquid will be participating in GSTL. GSL and GSTL is always open to every team and players around the world. We welcome all TeamLiquid players, both who have been in Korea and those who are newly flying in and we wish them best of luck in upcoming GSTL. Also I send word of gratitude to TeamLiquid website and management who always work hard for global eSports including GSL and GSTL."
Thoughts From Liquid
It's been a long time since I got to represent TL in a GOM event, I'm anxious to show my best. Normally I feel a lot of pressure in team events, but I have so much faith in our team that I think I will be able to play with a relaxed mind. -Liquid`Jinro
With even more teams competing in the GSTL, I think it wll be a lot of fun.Give me a chance, and I will do my best. -Liquid`Zenio
With winning the GSTL as our goal, I will do my best.Liquid fighting! -Liquid`Taeja
I can't wait to play in GSTL. The team league format is by far the most exciting, involving much more strategy and depth than individual leagues. I am positive we will do well, knowing we have so many smart people in our staff that will help us create perfect lineups.-Liquid`TLO
I will do my best whatever it is, and it will be nice for team.-Liquid`HerO
Last time I played in GSL was over a year ago vs GanZi. I've been wanting to enter once again and now the time has come. Being in GSTL we will be able to show how good we are.-Liquid`HayprO
Interview with Liquid`Nazgul
First off, how excited are you to see Liquid` in the premier team league? Does this feel like a long time coming?
Victor GoossensAs a long time BW follower team leagues really are something special. Following Proleague for so long and seeing the format grow to immense popularity, seeing the way players and fans stand behind their teams, it really is something special for me.
As a team owner you naturally gravitate towards having a lot of pride in team accomplishments. Seeing our guys represent Liquid with a win the way they did in the NASTL was an amazing experience, and GSTL blows all of it out of the water. It is the biggest stage a team can ever get to and it's a great pleasure to be participating in it
When you first started the team, did you ever imagine a point where your players would compete in the highest level leagues? Is this a personal dream?
Victor GoossensWhen Liquid first started no such thing as major team leagues existed. Some clans had playoffs and such but that was about it. Proleague started way after Liquid, so that is not what I had in mind when creating the team originally.
The way the non-Korean scene has developed so rapidly really changed everything for us. Before SC2 all our motivations and intentions were completely different from what they are now. My original motivations were just to bring a group of skilled and friendly top gamers together. No grander thoughts, no dreams about team leagues.
With SC2 the scene started with major differences between the Korean and the non-Korean teams. I feel like it is kind of a natural flow for the teams to be mixing with each other in the big team leagues more and more. Although GSTL is the largest, most prestigious (and played in a live setting), IPLTA is also doing a great job at mixing all the top teams together.
I wouldn't really go as far as calling it a personal dream – I'm not much of a dreamer much more of a realist. It's an amazing opportunity and we have come a long way, but it feels right and it makes sense.
Can you describe a little about how this came about? Did you approach GOM about Liquid` participating?
Victor GoossensAfter TaeJa joined we had enough players in Korea to participate. The main hurdle for us would be that our regular tournament schedules wouldn't be impacted by the move. By joining GSTL I want to create opportunities for my players, not take them away.
We sat down with GSL, brought up our issues with potential scheduling conflicts. They took this feedback and gave us the right response in that they will try everything in their power to help out. So we ended up feeling confident that our participation was the best decision for the team and the players.
Do you have any goals for the team's first outing in GSTL? How do you expect they will stack up against more seasoned GSTL rosters?
Victor GoossensAs long as you have a fighting chance the goal should always be to win. It is going to be hard, but with our lineup not a single Korean team should consider us a walkover.
We have beaten Korean teams such as TSL and FXO, and narrowly lost to others like Prime. I'm well aware that the GSTL lineups may potentially be even more stacked, but we have also gained a great player in TaeJa to balance that out a little.
We are not expecting to win the whole thing, but to say we're aiming for anything less than first would mean that we think there are opponents we can't beat. There aren't. On a good day we can beat every team out there.
Only Startale and Liquid have two players in the round of eight. Teams would be silly to count us out beforehand, and I don't think they will.
Unlike some teams, Liquid` doesn't have everyone in a single house. Will players be working together to think of strategies for specific teams and players?
Victor GoossensAbsolutely. The players and management share a channel on Skype where things like this are always discussed extensively. The strength of good management comes from listening to those who provide helpful input. In our case this means that our players are always heard on their opinions, whether right or wrong, before decisions are made. GSTL will be no different the players will come prepared with a good understanding of everyone's skill sets and preferences, in order to make the most optimal decisions.
We're even in talks with GSL of possibly having contact with the players through Skype during our GSTL matches. We'll see what that leads to and whether it is possible without any major inconveniences.
Will you be making any of the decisions for players/strategies during the match? Who will be acting as manager in the studio?
Victor GoossensPossibly so, yes. It is mostly undecided right now
Some of the team are currently living at the oGs house. Will Liquid's participation in GSL affect that relationship? Will the players continue to live and practice there?
Victor GoossensoGs is very supportive of us joining GSTL, and they feel it is a great opportunity for us. It allows both teams to get more exposure and experience, it is good for the players because now more of them get a shot at proving themselves.
Our players will still be at the oGs house for living and practicing together. We have no issues competing alongside each other, and hopefully we will meet in the finals.
Do you plan on going to Korea to attend any matches live?
Victor GoossensIf I can schedule a trip to Korea that encompasses a few other business things, I'll combine the two and attend the GSTL matches.
Having enough members available to field a full team is a new development. Are there plans for Liquid to participate in future GSTL seasons or are you taking a wait-and-see approach?
Victor GoossensIt's really a wait-and-see approach. Participating in the GSTL is a result of our players having being in Korea. GSTL plays a part in this decision, but there are many other factors that play a role in these decisions.
So with this in mind we are joining this season because we have enough people right now. We have no guarantees for how our future situation will look like, and how many people we will have in Korea at all times.
For the players not currently living in Korea, can we hope for them to make an appearance if circumstances work out for them to travel there?
Victor GoossensBoth Sheth and Ret occasionally express a desire to go to Korea for training, so I could definitely see something being possible in the future. These things are so much about planning and timing that it is hard to say something right now.
KeSPA announced today that Proleague will soon have SC2, how soon can we expect the team to dominate the likes of CJ and SKT? Or do you want to give them a chance before showing them the strength of the horse?
Victor GoossensHaha, well those guys have a lot to figure out among themselves before I can speculate about that. Let's first see the set up of their leagues.
There is no doubt that if the BW teams all switch they will rise to an incredible skill level, and I would be honored if we could compete with them at that point.
Anything you would like to say to fans in closing? Sponsors you want to thank?
Victor GoossensThanks to all our fans who have supported us for so long throughout all of this road. Thanks to our sponsors Razer, TwitchTV and The Little App Factory. Thanks to Robin our player manager, for being a constant help with our team leagues, as well as much else. See you all at GSTL!
