EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/ioRoZ.jpg)
Slayers Ganzi has finally advanced to Code S. On the 28th, in the finals of the Pepsi GSL Code A Season 5, he defeated MarinekingPrime 4:3.
Although he could not advance to the MSL even once in Starcraft 1, Ganzi has solved that problem in Starcraft 2. After just two seasons in Code A, Ganzi has advanced to Code S and heralded his heyday as a progamer.
Q: You have finally broken through to Code S. How do you feel?
A: Although this is only Code A, I won the title and so I'm happy. I am remembering the difficult memories of toiling as an unknown in Starcraft 1 without accomplishment. But these days my efforts are paying off, so I feel great. Now I have been given a chance to play in Code S, so I feel even happier. I even got through bypassing the Up and Downs Matches, so I have some free time. Lately my health hasn't been good and things have been difficult, so this is a relief. In conclusion, my condition is just “completely happy.” (laughs)
Q: In Starcraft 1, you never experienced the MSL, so it seems that now you were very ambitious in the finals.
A: Naturally I was very ambitious. Because I wanted to do really well in tournaments, I felt burdened and so I did not play my best. So this time I tried to stay relaxed. There was a lot of tension and I got worried, but I played well, so I feel satisfied.
Q: You've been doing well in Starcraft 2.
A: I wanted to start playing well again, and soon after I joined Slayers. I changed thanks to Boxer and Gayeon's help. I started taking better care of my health and became more passionate. The best moment of my Starcraft 2 career was when I stood on the stage of MLG, but today feels just as good. In Starcraft 1 I had to focus mainly on the team's success, but I think in Starcraft 2 I can do well for both the team and myself. In this way, I will continue to show good results.
Q: What kind of help did Boxer give you?
A: Losses used to be a big problem for me. Whenever I couldn't seize chances, I got very frustrated and did poorly even in practice. Boxer turned out to be a big help for me in this area. Even if circumstances were hard for him, he didn't seem to have a hard time in practice or in his career. I saw his attitude and learned a lot, even outside the game. I had taken a long break in my career before moving into the team house and so I worried, but Boxer was generous with tips and advice. He became a big help for me in that way.
Q: You started off by taking the first two sets.
A: I thought I had a 50% chance of success. I constantly thought about Marineking's weakness and so it turned out that way. It seemed like I might even be able to 4:0 him, so I felt very good, but I found that Marineking had practiced a lot. I changed one thing about my strategy on Bel'Shir, but that turned out to be a bad choice.
Q: Did you regret losing the 6th set? Do you have anything to say about the circumstances?
A: Lots of fans had predicted that I would win 4:2, so I wanted to end it on Terminus. It was similar builds, but I think I was too impatient. It felt like I had lost my momentum. I focused on not getting upset after having lost the 6th set.
Q: You had a scrappy game in the final game on Metalopolis.
A: Marineking destroyed my Orbital and then retreated, and it felt like he had won. But when he tried to circumvent my army a chance to win presented itself. It was a messy game (laughs). It was a very worrisome game, but I guess it was interesting.
Q: You read some notes in the middle of the games.
A: I usually read notes about opening build orders. In preparing for the finals, I was reminded to read them. The builds our team's coach chose for me were a big help.
Q: What are your goals for Code S?
A: This season my dream final is taking place at Blizzcon. Because of MLG, my desire to participate in foreign venues is even stronger.
Q: Who do you want to be placed against in the Round of 32?
A: MVP said he wanted to knock me out. It would be good if that didn't happen. MVP is really strong. It would be nice if I had an easy road.
Q: Slayers Terrans have been showing good results. How do you think Taeja will do in the Up and Down Matches?
A: I think Taeja is a better player than I am. He practices really hard, so I naturally think he should advance to Code S. Because our team's Terrans practice hard, we are showing good results. But GSTL is the exception. (laughs)
Q: Anything else you want to say?
A: I tried to use mindgames as much as I could, but I didn't get a chance to talk to Marineking after the games. In the last interview I tried to worry him [T/N when asked who he wanted to face in the finals, he said “I can beat either player because I know their weaknesses, so I do not care]. He is completely without weaknesses. I said those things just to make things interesting. He remained in the Kong Line for now, but because he is very skilled I think he will certainly advance to Code S. I would like it if we were not close to each other in Code S [T/N so we don't face each other early].
Also, I was very worried during practice, but my team's Terrans helped a lot and I am thankful. I would also like to thank the TSL Terrans and NSHoseo Shuttle for their help. I'll buy fire chicken (spicy chicken) [for all my teammates]. I promised my girlfriend that if I make it into Code S next season I would transfer the winnings to my girlfriend's bank account, and I'm actually worried [T/N: winner of Code A = seeded to Code S]. I just want to say [to her] that I'm thankful for everything. Finally, I would like to thank Boxer and Gayeon for their constant help.
hopefully these next two finals wont be another walkover. I can't wait to see Ganzi and hopefully Taeja in Code S!
