EPT![[image loading]](/staff/JWD/bacchus_osl_s2/titlesmall.jpg)
Thanks SilverskY!
Last Thursday was Day 1 of the Bacchus OSL 2009 quarterfinals — meaning the first set of each of its four matches is complete, and four players will take a (commanding, in a Bo3) 1-0 lead into their series' conclusions this Thursday. This article breaks down the Ro8's action thus far, including a sweet recap video for your viewing pleasure!
If the insane conclusion to CJ vs. KHAN wiped previous weeks' OSL action from your memory, refresh it with a peek at the Bacchus OSL 2009's bracket:
![[image loading]](/staff/JWD/bacchus_osl_s2/ro8bracket.jpg)
Ro8 Day 1 Video Recap
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pIbYBUPgpQ
Quarterfinal A 1set Recap
This game was exactly the sort of debacle we've come to expect from intra-team Starleague series. Go.go, painfully aware of the strength of Yarnc's ZvT after years of practice against him, decided he might sneak a win just like Canata did from Jaedong in MSL play the night before: proxy 8-rax.
Unfortunately for Go.go, Yarnc (wisely) suspected cheese and scouted both the proxy barracks and an ensuing proxy factory — two moves characteristic of Fake Yellow's excellent preparation for this OSL. Essentially, Yarnc defeated Go.go using just his scouting drone, which died in the Terran mineral line with three kills (including the proxying SCV). This game was a pathetic showing from Go.go, but I can't imagine he would have fared any better in a straight-up encounter.
Quarterfinal B 1set Recap
This game was the night's best. If you've got 15 minutes to spare, consider watching its VOD!
Unlike Go.go, Type-b had the stones to take it to his heavily-favored teammate opponent in a standard game. Though he was no doubt helped along by Outsider's many gases and his opponent's heinously bad dropship and vessel control, Type-b turned in a solid performance that should have Leta fans feeling very uncomfortable; in my Ro8 preview I predicted Type-b could only challenge Leta with "trickery", but it now looks as though these two SPARKYZ are fairly evenly matched.
How much longer will we underestimate Type-b? Considering he has no significant accomplishments prior to this OSL and was conspicuously absent from even Hite's most recent regular season PL lineups, it's hard to see him as a legitimate contender for Starleague gold. But incredibly smart play in this game and his Ro16 set versus Stork suggests Type-b will not end his OSL career as "Bacchus 2009's fluke quarterfinalist".
Quarterfinal C 1set Recap
Quarterfinal C's 1set played out exactly as expected, given these two T1 Terrans' very different playstyles: Fantasy was on the offense throughout. Perhaps knowing that Canata would attempt a standard game, Fantasy used an ingeniously aggressive build — significantly delaying Canata's armory with vultures from a proxy factory, and then following up with 2-port wraith.
Fantasy's strategy prevented Canata from easing into the slow, deliberate macro game he thrives on and thus guaranteed Fantasy a comfortable victory. Assuming Iloveoov isn't handing Fantasy builds to use against his own teammate, this set is strong evidence for Fantasy as a master tactician independent of Coach Oov's influence.
Quarterfinal D 1set Recap
In lieu of my written thoughts on this set, please accept these two images. They capture the game's action perfectly:
![[image loading]](/staff/JWD/bacchus_osl_s2/5_1.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/JWD/bacchus_osl_s2/5_2.jpg)
One More Thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzAPHVPxgzU#t=17m57s
Fantasy turns down an over-eager fan (discuss)
Fantasy turns down an over-eager fan (discuss)
With PL playoffs raging, GOM S3 nearing its conclusion, and the MSL also in elimination stages, my fellow writers riptide, Tadzio, and Hot_Bid are churning out sick news articles at a feverish pace. I'll do my best to keep up! Thanks for reading!
Peace,
JWD
