EPTParty Like It's 2011
by The_Templar and munch
After the announcement of a unified WCS and the banishment of Koreans back to the motherland, few predicted that
MMA would be one of the few still standing in the GSL. It’s been a fairy tale homecoming for the Acer Terran, back in the Code S semifinals for the first time since October 2011. After a stuttering start in the Ro32 he has moved flawlessly through the brackets, arriving in peak form with a 7-0 run over 
Dark, INnoVation and TY.The semifinals present a different challenge in the acclaimed Protoss PartinG. Historically MMA has struggled against the defenders of Aiur, but recently his fortunes in the matchup have turned 180 degrees. In fact, it’s been his strongest matchup since the WCS Global Finals, where convincing victories over
Classic and StarDust brought him to the cusp of a second Blizzcon title. However many of these encounters occurred off-stream, so it's not clear how well he's actually been playing. One thing's for sure though: to progress MMA will have to significantly improve from his earlier encounters in this GSL. Dear and Seed caused him significant trouble, and while he did scraped by against both, PartinG will be stiffer opposition.If MMA wants inspiration, he can look back on his clashes with
MC in Europe. Similar to the Boss Toss, PartinG focuses on overwhelming aggression and impeccable micro, not to meant mutual affectation for blink stalkers. As MMA alluded to after his demolishing of TY, one great benefit to a non-KeSPA team is the lack of commitments. With no Proleague and in-team training, all he has had to concern himself since the quarterfinals is this match. MMA has demonstrated time and time again that he never backs down from a challenge. When the destructive implosion of SlayerS separated him from all that had brought him success, he didn't give in. When his form deserted him, wallowing in the twilight of Code A qualifiers, he soldiered on. When Life prevented him from placing from a glorious cap on his career at Blizzcon, retirement wasn't considered an option. MMA has one more year to make his presence felt; one more year to solidify his greatness in the annals of Starcraft 2. One final road to glory beckons.
Started at the Bottom, Almost at the Top
PartinG is one of just four players left in the GSL, and his tournament run still remains as unclear as ever. There’s no doubt that he is still a top player; his status as one has echoed through the GSL since his rise 3 years ago. But while the Yoe Flash Wolves Protoss has had a celebrated career decorated by four premier trophies, he has been unable to win GSL. A career defined by exceptional play and results lacking a convincing victory could only begin in the exact same situation. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to make it to Code A, PartinG broke through the qualifiers and made the Code S quarterfinals in early 2012. He immediately followed it up with a top four finish in the next season, earning fans around the world with stunning PvT prowess and his charming demeanor. However, he was handily defeated in both seasons by the eventual champion. While he never left Code S, returning to the playoffs the next year, his numerous playoff runs were cut short by those who would be immortalized in history. His closest attempt, the GSL Global Championship, was denied—by only one map—by the greatest Protoss of 2014,
Zest. PartinG has become the greatest of gateway players, one whose defeat predicted his opponent's success. Despite frustrations in Korea, he has had a varied and modestly successful career abroad. He's won tournaments around the world and charmed fans in the process. However, these tournaments have neither tested him sufficiently against the best nor established him as one of the most successful players ever. While he has picked up multiple series against excellent players in each of his tournament wins as well as quite a few top placements, he can't claim to be the legend that he aspires to be with his cocky personality.
GSL is another opportunity for PartinG to prove his worth. PartinG must study MMA’s style to succeed at this stage, but it will be difficult to fully parse the style out. The Acer Terran doesn't SCV pull unless he’s confident, and he intelligently uses aggression as a supplement towards the late game, making him an extremely versatile opponent. If PartinG doesn't win here, those three excellent years will be a haunting reminder of what he still lacks.
Prediction:
MMA 2-4 PartinG
