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Belgium9947 Posts
We all know him as probably the most talented foreign Zerg out there, and right now, he's leading the TSL qualification ladder.
Here is the top 2 at the moment:
#1 ToT.Mondragon 50 - 2 7108
#2 TSL.IdrA 58 - 10 7104
Hi Mondragon! Name, age and nationality please.
Mondi: As most of you guys know, I am Christoph Semke, 21 years old and from Germany.
One minute ago you took the #1 spot on our TSL qualification ladder. Do you feel safe there?
Mondi: No, I don't feel safe there at all. People are playing so much and it will change sooner or later again and I don't care about the #1 spot. I just want to finish top 16 at the end of the ladder season.
It seems like you have a clear goal. How hard will it be to reach it? Did you already have to surpass some difficulties?
Mondi: No, everything going smoothly so far. I decided to concentrate on only playing against foreigners since in my opinion it is now kinda useless to try my luck against Koreans, who beat me badly and would only make me lose points in the end. So I think I'll stick to play foreigners only, since the aim is to get top 16 and not to get owned by Koreans.
I know it's still early in the ladder, but do you have any predictions for the top 5 of the ladder?
Mondi: Uhh... that's kind of impossible to predict I think. It's mostly about massgaming in my opinion.
Though, once the top 16 goes into the A ranks, massgaming doesn't matter that much anymore and it's purely about skill. Will this not affect some of the current top 48?
Mondi: Lets say it this way. In the end skills + activity counts. And I am convinced that the best players will gather theirselves in the top 48 no matter what. The ladder qualification is a fair system.
What got you so motivated to already play 52 games in this event? You're notorious for your frowning upon mass gaming and practicing.
Mondi: Oh well, I still got my university break until 14th April so I got a lot of time to play, and nice cash prizes are always motivating to play. So here I go ... 
Any words on the format and the organization? Are you excited to be a part of this?
The event itself is damn awesome. The format is something new and I really like it. I'm always in for some changes and new systems. I really appreciate all the work of TeamLiquid.net for such an amazing event. Thanks.
Do you think TSL brings the foreigner scene a step closer to professionalization?
Mondi: Of course, any sponsored event with a good organisation brings the scene closer to professionalization. And I speak for everyone, we really appreciate it
Ok, I can't resist it. Last question: TSL or GGSL?
Mondi: This is a rhetorical question
Thanks for the interview and good luck with the rest of the tournament!
Mondragon gave me a replay of his TSL game vs Nony, which he claims was a very good game in which he really had to 'macro his ass off' to quote him.
Replay: ToT.Mondragon vs TSL-Nony
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United States7488 Posts
Thanks for the interview!
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On April 04 2008 02:21 semioldguy wrote:
Thanks for the interview!
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8748 Posts
keke i really played poorly that game  and mondi did not let up
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is there an exp decay in iCCup?
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On April 04 2008 02:50 dybydx wrote:
is there an exp decay in iCCup?
no, but you can be sure that B won't be enough for the top16 in the end. So he has to play on.
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On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up
His macro was brutal. Give us some reps of your best PvZ so far to redeem yourself 
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2 gate proxy mondi to show the world the true nub that he is. ^^
it will be one of those boxer v yellow (or OOv) moments that lives forever in the history book of SC.
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8748 Posts
On April 04 2008 03:11 tttt wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up His macro was brutal. Give us some reps of your best PvZ so far to redeem yourself
hehe i have them but you will have to wait until the TSL to see my best pvz
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I dream of a Mondragon vs NonY final.
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South Africa4316 Posts
Thanks Rage and Mondi! I really hope Mondi does well, although I'm still supporting Nony for #1!
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Mondragon will win the whole TSL. I would bet money on it if I could.
And please make a replay pack after TSL Mondi!
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i vote for a mondi v nony bo5 rematch with liquid bet and commentary ^^
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On April 04 2008 03:25 NonY[rC] wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 03:11 tttt wrote:On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up His macro was brutal. Give us some reps of your best PvZ so far to redeem yourself hehe i have them but you will have to wait until the TSL to see my best pvz
I'm looking forward to it!
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Pre-prediction: Mondi 3-0.
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On April 04 2008 04:11 MYM.Testie wrote:
Pre-prediction: Mondi 3-0 Testie.
fixed
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On April 04 2008 04:30 decafchicken wrote:
Pre-prediction: Anyone 3-0 decafchicken.
fixed.
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On April 04 2008 04:44 statix wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 04:30 decafchicken wrote:
Pre-prediction: Anyone 3-0 decafchicken. fixed.
...i'd be damned happy to go 0-3 in the finals of tsl, and happily take my money
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On April 04 2008 04:47 decafchicken wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 04:44 statix wrote:On April 04 2008 04:30 decafchicken wrote:
Pre-prediction: Anyone 3-0 decafchicken. fixed. ...i'd be damned happy to go 1-3 vs anyone on b.net
fixed.
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i think idra will win it all ^_^
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Gotta love Mondragon <3
Thanks for the interview.
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Thanks for the interview!
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Nice job, keep up the interviews Always nice to read.
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Yea, thanks for the interview, and good luck Mondragon!
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Great Mondi, keep up the great play!! Win the TSL and get the cash 
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Thank Mondragon and Rage.
I'm suprised he hasn't been four-pooled yet though.
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too hard to predict the winner... any of the top 5 will have a good chance at winning >.>
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i really hope mondragon comes out on top. he's always so humble and hes been around for years, you cant help but love the guy.
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On April 04 2008 03:26 NotSupporting wrote:
I dream of a Mondragon vs NonY final.
MotC final is Mondi vs NonY:D <3 tsl i been playin my ass off shooting for the top 500 woootz!
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On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up
Your opponent complimented you and he's the best Zerg foreigner. Do you ever lose when you're not "playing really badly?" I guess that Mondragon, playing his "ass off," can only win when you're playing badly.
I don't think any foreigner has ever been able to just say that they lost without any superfluous information.
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On April 04 2008 10:30 1t2t3t4t5taw wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up Your opponent complimented you and he's the best Zerg foreigner. Do you ever lose when you're not "playing really badly?" I guess that Mondragon, playing his "ass off," can only win when you're playing badly. I don't think any foreigner has ever been able to just say that they lost without any superfluous information.
I've lost a lot of respect for Nony. He makes similar comments every time he loses. Like you said, these comments detract from the (good) play of the opponent, and tries to suggest that he would've won if he played remotely well. Even if that is the case, so what, it didn't happen.
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Don't be so cruel. It was just a statement.
Truth is Nony could have played better, he had reavers sitting around in mid map with no support at some points, he had to run up and down the map losing bits and piece of his army, of his expos, and so on. He couldn't get it togehter, so he lost.
Mondragon did macro his ass off, but he could have won with less macro too. He pushed hard and constantly, and they both played a good game.
So what if some player says that he played badly? Do you think Mondi cares? If not, then why do you guys? When you lose, don't you know why? Don't you realize the mistakes you made and know you would have put up a better fight if it weren't for those glitches? He didn't say he was better, he just said he played badly,
I'm not a nony fan but come on, this wasn't even close to flaming or bm or anything. So stop hating and enjoy tsl.
Moar replays mondi prz!
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On April 04 2008 10:40 FirstProbe wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 10:30 1t2t3t4t5taw wrote:On April 04 2008 02:42 NonY[rC] wrote:keke i really played poorly that game and mondi did not let up Your opponent complimented you and he's the best Zerg foreigner. Do you ever lose when you're not "playing really badly?" I guess that Mondragon, playing his "ass off," can only win when you're playing badly. I don't think any foreigner has ever been able to just say that they lost without any superfluous information. I've lost a lot of respect for Nony. He makes similar comments every time he loses. Like you said, these comments detract from the (good) play of the opponent, and tries to suggest that he would've won if he played remotely well. Even if that is the case, so what, it didn't happen.
I disagree... I translate that directly to "I made a few mistakes and so Mondi killed me"
I see where you're coming from totally, but I don't think it's sufficient reason to lose respect for the man.
It's a perfectly normal thing to say after any loss in my opinion, and has nothing to do with the calibre of player.... It's not like he's making bullshit excuse after bullshit excuse... He's making 1 excuse that essentially covers all possible excuses and as such it's the only excuse he needs after every game. LOL
But seriously, He's not saying he could beat mondi (I think that would be an impressive feat). Instead he's saying we can expect better play out of him in the Finals vs Mondi
I don't know, I just hate seeing people say they lose respect for someone because they explain their perspective on their loss. He doesn't seem to be in denial or anything.
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Braavos36374 Posts
Every single truly competitive player, when they lose, believes they could have played better. Its the mark of someone who truly believes in himself and thinks he can win. Saying "I played badly" or "I can play better" is far different a reason for losing than "my hands were cold" or "it was laggy." One of these reasons put the blame and ability to affect change squarely in the players' hands; the other puts the loss on external factors that the player has no control over.
In a way, saying "I played badly" is the antithesis of excuse--it's assuming and internalizing more responsibility. What do you expect him to say, "I played my absolute greatest and there's no way I can beat Mondragon no matter how hard I try."
I'd much rather players believe they could beat each other than admit they have no chance.
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On April 04 2008 11:23 Hot_Bid wrote:
Every single truly competitive player, when they lose, believes they could have played better. Its the mark of someone who truly believes in himself and thinks he can win. Saying "I played badly" or "I can play better" is far different a reason for losing than "my hands were cold" or "it was laggy." One of these reasons put the blame and ability to affect change squarely in the players' hands; the other puts the loss on external factors that the player has no control over.
In a way, saying "I played badly" is the antithesis of excuse--it's assuming and internalizing more responsibility. What do you expect him to say, "I played my absolute greatest and there's no way I can beat Mondragon no matter how hard I try."
I'd much rather players believe they could beat each other than admit they have no chance.
I wish this is what I had said ^ ^ LOL Well Put.
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On a semi-related note, & just plain common sense.
There's times where you don't play yourself so you say you play badly.
Then there's times you play your average game and you shouldn't say anything.
Your average game should be among your best games though so it shouldn't be something excusable.
i.e. I played extremely badly vs Sen in that showmatch I got crushed and that certainly wasn't my average game. However I played my average game against Draco in PGL when I got both outsmarted and outplayed.
The only thing is, it may be the truth, but it comes off to others as a bad sport. However almost any honest person in that position if asked would say the same if they felt it were true.
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8748 Posts
ahh well sometimes you lose a game and think "i did everything i could" and sometimes you lose a game and think "i made a lot more mistakes than usual" ... sometimes players make intelligent decisions and one just comes up short and other times a player makes plainly incorrect decisions ... if you agree with me that there are these different kinds of games, and different kinds of losses, then in this case, im just saying it was one kind of loss and not the other. no disrespect to mondragon and im not implying that if i "play my best" that i'd automatically win.
maybe i've made a lot of these comments but i guess it's because i have horrible consistency. most of my losses fall into the category of "i made a lot more mistakes than usual" rather than "i did all i could and my opponent did something better". in my opinion, the only reason i've won more things and gotten more famous and recognized as a good player recently, is because i've improved my consistency. my micro, macro, multitask and strategy in my best games nowadays are not that much better than my best games from over a year ago. it's just that now im much more consistent and have been able to do my best when im in a "must-win" situation. so that has been my perspective for a long time, to improve consistency, and there is no foreigner to look up to better than mondragon in that respect ^.^ nobody has a bad game vs mondragon and wins
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On April 04 2008 11:23 Hot_Bid wrote:
Every single truly competitive player, when they lose, believes they could have played better. Its the mark of someone who truly believes in himself and thinks he can win. Saying "I played badly" or "I can play better" is far different a reason for losing than "my hands were cold" or "it was laggy." One of these reasons put the blame and ability to affect change squarely in the players' hands; the other puts the loss on external factors that the player has no control over.
In a way, saying "I played badly" is the antithesis of excuse--it's assuming and internalizing more responsibility. What do you expect him to say, "I played my absolute greatest and there's no way I can beat Mondragon no matter how hard I try."
I'd much rather players believe they could beat each other than admit they have no chance.
No remark is every really innocent, it is often suggestive.
Even if he meant it in a benign sense, his comment still has implications. By publicly making a statement, one could argue that he has the intent of being suggestive.
It was far from improper, but it is no singular incident. I stand by my views.
Similarly my comment could be misconstrued, though it is merely an observation and a emotional response to his words. However by responding in a public forum, you could say I'm being suggestive.
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joohyunee
Korea (South)1087 Posts
On April 04 2008 02:43 iCCup.Raelcun wrote:I got in my own questions! + Show Spoiler +
LOL I ASKED HIM THE SAME QUESTION TODAY
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On April 04 2008 11:43 NonY[rC] wrote:
blah blah no disrespect to mondragon blah blah micro, macro, multitask and strategy blah blah
That's nice and all but us, the public, would like more replays prz!
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Nony vs Mondragon MOTC Finals
rooting for nony, the underdog here
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On April 04 2008 12:09 joohyunee wrote:LOL I ASKED HIM THE SAME QUESTION TODAY
yeah but did you get an answer? LOL he was pretty active in the channel today and kinda funny especially when he was making fun of Testie for not gaming yet
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Testie are you playing in this ladder?
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anyone check his profile? like 90% of his games are zvsz T_T
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I always felt saying something like "he did not let up" carries just as much implications of "damn, I got cut to pieces -.-" even if you state earlier disappointing play as it does "aaah, I could take him if I didn't screw XYZ* up".
Mondragon looks on form and angry, so this will be an exciting event all around.
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I made mistakes is not a bad thing, Firstprobe you are overly critical.
Of course he played lesser than his "peak". He had reavers shagging themselves without moving around and stuff. Mistakes happen, people screw up and what he meant was exactly what he said, he "made a lot more mistakes than usual". Stop being so judgemental on him : /. He didn't mean to diss Mondragon (a person who has obviously accomplished a lot more), he just felt pretty dumb that a game he lost because he played worse than what he usually does was posted and gets so many downloads. That's being human. He's got every right to defend himself. And he's pretty hawt on rankings so gogo nony <3.
And why is Testie not playing in this ladder?!!!
On April 04 2008 16:00 We Are Here wrote:
anyone check his profile? like 90% of his games are zvsz T_T
How does one check the profile?
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ermm you click on their name, it links you to their personal profile, then click on gaming profile(near the top)
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Nice interview. Thanks alot.
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Mondragon cannot be beaten by Protoss Best of 5 @ anyone who is looking forward to a final of Mondragon vs P :D
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On April 04 2008 19:14 G.s)NarutO wrote:
Mondragon cannot be beaten by Protoss Best of 5 @ anyone who is looking forward to a final of Mondragon vs P :D
Draco perhaps?
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people can't handle the truth! i rather hear an honest opinion than some bs.
anyways, just enjoy the replay :p
nony beats A2 in motc
so Nony vs Mondragon grandfinal for motc tournament.
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Mondragon is a cool dude, last time i saw one of his replays must have been 2 years ago. I remember him being one of those amazing gamesense type of players.
Thx for the interview!
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On April 04 2008 19:35 Elsi wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 19:14 G.s)NarutO wrote:
Mondragon cannot be beaten by Protoss Best of 5 @ anyone who is looking forward to a final of Mondragon vs P :D Draco perhaps?
Maybe when he was at his best, i really doubt he could do it now. I saw some of his PvZ's from TSL and while he did beat the players it was nothing amazing, unless you play amazing you're not gonna beat Mondragon in a BO5.
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Nony is 52% hotkeys in the replay Mondragon gave Oo
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Mondi is cool
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On April 04 2008 23:04 Biff The Understudy wrote:
Nony is 52% hotkeys in the replay Mondragon gave Oo
And that while only using 6 of his 10 hotkeys.
Nony uses hotkeys so strangely. He doesn't hotkey his buildings. Well, he does. But only temporary.
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On April 04 2008 22:24 grobo wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2008 19:35 Elsi wrote:On April 04 2008 19:14 G.s)NarutO wrote:
Mondragon cannot be beaten by Protoss Best of 5 @ anyone who is looking forward to a final of Mondragon vs P :D Draco perhaps? Maybe when he was at his best, i really doubt he could do it now. I saw some of his PvZ's from TSL and while he did beat the players it was nothing amazing, unless you play amazing you're not gonna beat Mondragon in a BO5.
Draco is still very rusty
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Iccup admins reset G5 because of disc hack abuse...
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nvm... people are too busy flaming to make sense anyway.
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I'm trying to make Androide play in TSL 
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On April 04 2008 19:14 G.s)NarutO wrote:
Mondragon cannot be beaten by Protoss Best of 5 @ anyone who is looking forward to a final of Mondragon vs P :D
Watch Lecaf Protoss players join TSL in secret while on vacation in Europe. Anytime would eat Mondi for lunch.
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On April 04 2008 10:40 FirstProbe wrote:
I've lost a lot of respect for Nony. He makes similar comments every time he loses. Like you said, these comments detract from the (good) play of the opponent, and tries to suggest that he would've won if he played remotely well. Even if that is the case, so what, it didn't happen.
Unfortunately i have to share this impression though because of a other circumstance. I am seeing an koth event about gentleman vs nony on esl tv and he dont says gg. So i lost some respect and impression i took of him from the tsl attack episode where he seemed to me as a calm and respectful person.
i mean you expect this behaviour maybe from 13-16 year old players when they get mad because of losses but not from an halfwalf adult person on an official event. it just shows kind of selfishness and no respect of the other person.
EDIT: I have to apologize because i heard he said gg in the channel. So i prejudged in this case to much. But the problem is that you didnt saw this on the stream. So maybe some more people got in this case a wrong impression.
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EPT![[image loading]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/Koyiro/mondie2.jpg)
