Maybe it's just my hangover, but trying to discuss this week's games—there could be as many as eight—makes my head hurt, especially after last week's results. But as the challengers frequently say on Iron Chef—the real one, not the inferior American version—I will do my best.
OSL Ro8 Week 2 June 29 18:30 Korean
Savior (Z) vs. Iris (T) @ Hitchhiker and, if necessary, Monty Hall
I don't care that Savior lost to FirebatHero (though he did win the battle of heterosexuality by not turtling for 20 minutes, not cheesing, and not doing a victory lap around his opponent). I don't care that Savior lost to Iris. I don't care that the map is Hitchhiker, and I don't care that the next map is Monty Hall. Despite it all, Savior is going to win this series 2-1. He's playing too well to have two second-tier Terran players oust him from both Starleagues.
Despite my confidence in Savior's abilities, however, I do have a few small concerns. First, Iris' micro looked pretty sharp last week. Second, Savior is 2-2 on both Hitchhiker and Monty Hall, and if anyone remembers back to the last OSL, one of Iris' wins in that epic Bo5 against Savior was on Hitchhiker. So as confident as I am, I’m still scared.
REACH (P) vs. Stork (P) @ Fantasy and, if necessary, Python
I said it last week, and my opinion hasn't changed: I just don't think Reach is playing well enough to beat Stork. The problem is that skill might not be the issue; PvP, more than any other matchup, is luck-based. On any given day, Terato can take down Bisu—or Soo can beat Reach, if anyone remembers. So there's really nothing to do but root for your favorite Protoss! And if you're a true Protoss fan, you should be rooting for Iris, too; neither Reach nor Stork is capable of taking down Savior in a Bo5, but both would be the favorite to advance over Iris into the finals.
Bisu (P) vs. Flash (T) @ Monty Hall and, if necessary, Fantasy
This is it for Flash. He's a game away from taking down the most well-rounded Protoss in the world, and his TvP record is a spotless 8-0. And then there's the map: Monty Hall. Monty’s balance depends upon whom you ask. Protoss players will say that the 20-13 PvT lead is the result of Protoss players using any variety of proxy builds to gain an early lead (or win outright), and Terran players will tell you that the low mineral count at each base cripples their ability to play a conventional style. Protoss players will shoot back that the cliffs in the top-right and bottom-left corners give the Terran too much control over those critical, late-game expansions, and Terran players will say that the multiple paths make it too easy for Protoss players to divide and conquer with their superior mobility.
But I'm a Protoss player, which means I have this to say: Monty Hall is a difficult PvT map. If Bisu can pull out the win, he's the unequivocal favorite to win on Fantasy, but getting that initial win to level the series at 1-1 could be problematic. I'm looking forward to this one!
Hwasin (T) vs. GGPlay (Z) @ Python and, if necessary, Hitchhiker
Except for a late-game hiccup, GGPlay dominated Hwasin last week. But as I noted then, Hwasin had been practicing for his Bo5 against Bisu the entire week; he only had one day to devote to honing his TvZ. Now that he's had a week to prepare for these two games, I expect Hwasin to turn things around and advance 2-1. As good as GGPlay's ZvT is, an in-form Hwasin, such as we're dealing with at the moment, is a terrifying TvZ opponent. Hwasin is 21-8 TvZ—with three of those losses coming from Savior—since late August of 2006.
great news!!! exactly the same thoughts and hopes for savior and im not sure yet if i should hope for bisu to fail so that savior can easily win the osl again but if savior is out this round i want bisu to advance for sure! he deserves the osl win most after savior
Well. People need to realize that savior isnt godlike. He is or has been the best pro among them all for quite a time now.. but its nothing major different compared to oov, nada or boxer dominating the scene for a certain time..
and Iris is underrated. I no longer accept that guys like him are called 2nd tier t's. hoping for Reach cause hes such an oldschool gamer and u just gotta love him.. hoping for savior because if he loses he suddenly doesnt look as godly anymore as he did so far..
wow can i just say. Everyone said bisu looks like bruce lee but look at that pic of flash his eyes and mouth look like BRUCE! its like he's bisu's replacement or something
I wouldnt call Iris and FBH 2nd tier, but I wouldnt call them 1st tier either. Maybe if we had one more tier above 1st. Anyway, hope Reach and Savior makes it through to the next round.
On June 28 2007 12:22 HnR)hT wrote: I love this starleague. Every single potential winner deserves the championship. Hoping for a savior/bisu rematch in the finals
I`m hoping reach can make it far, and thus hoping savior loses. I don`t really like savior anyway not sure why maybe too newschool for me.
But what do you mean about pvp being luck based, I don`t really know much about pvp since I hardly ever watch it or play it, but isn`t zvz with crazy buildorders more luck based?
Watch the games live at www.sc2.org or go to the appropriate thread in the tourneys forum when it happens and look at one of the last couple pages and yakii usually uploads the VODs of all the games for direct download.
SAVIOR LOSES. Tough shit. I mean, its not like I WANT him to lose, its just you place too much confidence in him, thus the law of everything hates you(not you specifically) will kick in.
Maybe we should call Iris, FBH, etc 1st tier, but players like SAviOr, Bisu, etc S-Class.
Hoping for Reach and Flash to advance, the other two I don't feel as strongly about who wins. But if SAviOr loses, it makes Reach's chances, if he beats Stork, a lot higher, since he just came from a win vs Iris in the group stages.
Hoping that savior does indeed win 2 coming maps... he is awesome and it would suck NOT having him in a starleague final... was hoping that both leagues would end up Savior vs Bisu tbh :> that would have been kickass...
Savior REACH Bisu/Flash, like em both GGPlay (Hwasin sucks.)
On June 28 2007 20:26 zer0das wrote: So if FBH and Iris are second tier terrans, who are the first tier ones at the moment? :>
Hwasin, Iloveoov, maybe Sea and Flash? :S
Your tiers must be ridiculously compact. :d
imho, top tier players should be solid in all 3 mu's. at the very least, their weakest matchup should be decent. nada, iloveoov are good examples of this when in their peak form. we haven't seen any tvp from fbh this msl, but if he totally molests/outclasses his protoss opponent in the semis, i will be convinced he is up there. i also feel iris' tvt gets him a bit too far in the terran saturated starleagues.
perhaps they are players of top-tier calibre, and their amazing runs are testament to this, but it'd be wise not to bandwagon.