The group stage of IEM Katowice gave us the biggest surprise of the year so far, with three-time Code S champion Maru suffering a shock early elimination in Group B. The #1 Korean looked off his game, with consecutive series losses to Trap, Leenock, and Neeb sealing his fate. Dark, Trap, and Neeb ended up advancing from group B, with Dark earning a spot in the quarterfinals by placing 1st place in the group.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Stats clinched a quarterfinal spot with a magnificent 5-0 performance. Combined with his run in the RO76, Stats is on an eight-match winning streak (16-3 map score) at IEM. Zest and herO claimed the 2nd and 3rd place spots in the group, advancing to the round of 12 in the playoffs (March 2-3).
IEM continues on Friday, Mar 01 10:45am GMT (GMT+00:00) with Groups C & D, featuring Serral, INnoVation, Rogue, Scarlett, soO and other star players. You can catch up on the games at IEM's official Youtube channel.
Shame Maru vs Dark didnt take place in the earlier rounds. The games were very good still, as much as i ve seen from them, but would have loved to see it on main stage when both had vested interest to win every map of the series
a little disappointing but still super excited for the rest of the tournament! Dark played some pretty sick games and I'm so happy that Stats got first in his group, cheering for INno and Bunny tomorrow!
On March 01 2019 07:32 DreamlnCode wrote: Maru didn't look like he was trying to be honest. Wouldn't surprise me if he was saving his best builds for GSL. Then again. . .
Agreed, just like how he saved builds for next year's GSL at Blizzcon quarter finals.
On March 01 2019 07:32 DreamlnCode wrote: Maru didn't look like he was trying to be honest. Wouldn't surprise me if he was saving his best builds for GSL. Then again. . .
So he was saving his build for a tournament with less money and a group with worst players?
Maru continues his streak of losing in non-GSL tournaments. If he wins another GSL does it mean he just doesn't care about non-GSLs or is he really incapable of winning day tournaments? It definitely cheapens his argument for GOAT.
On March 01 2019 07:48 BisuDagger wrote: Maru continues his streak of losing in non-GSL tournaments. If he wins another GSL does it mean he just doesn't care about non-GSLs or is he really incapable of winning day tournaments? It definitely cheapens his argument for GOAT.
the idea that he doesn't care for hundred+ thousand of dollars and the trophy because it s not named "GSL code S season x" is not very convincing
I find it hard to think that Maru doesn't care. Why would he even bother to qualify and travel? Hiding builds at a 150k tournament seems unlikely as well.
It may just be that he is not accustomed to long travels, and jet lag. After all, he performed well at weekend tournaments that took place near Korea, like WESG. From what I remember he's never been a guy who traveled to a lot of foreign tournaments, even in WOL era, when there were no regions.
On March 01 2019 07:48 BisuDagger wrote: Maru continues his streak of losing in non-GSL tournaments. If he wins another GSL does it mean he just doesn't care about non-GSLs or is he really incapable of winning day tournaments? It definitely cheapens his argument for GOAT.
yeah it will be super odd and confusing if he wins this GSL
Maru was probably overconfident and spent most of his time preparing for who he might play later on, expecting to blow past Leenock, Trap, and Neeb. Instead he lost, and now he goes home empty-handed.
On March 01 2019 07:48 BisuDagger wrote: Maru continues his streak of losing in non-GSL tournaments. If he wins another GSL does it mean he just doesn't care about non-GSLs or is he really incapable of winning day tournaments? It definitely cheapens his argument for GOAT.
On March 01 2019 07:48 BisuDagger wrote: Maru continues his streak of losing in non-GSL tournaments. If he wins another GSL does it mean he just doesn't care about non-GSLs or is he really incapable of winning day tournaments? It definitely cheapens his argument for GOAT.
On March 01 2019 07:57 Xain0n wrote: I find it hard to think that Maru doesn't care. Why would he even bother to qualify and travel? Hiding builds at a 150k tournament seems unlikely as well.
maru cares. his fanboys are just looking for any excuse they can for his losses
i didnt see his series vs trap, but leenock and neeb straight up outplayed him. maybe it's time to come to terms with the fact that maru isnt all he has been hyped up to be, especially in macro games post raven nerf
everyone wants to see maru vs serral but i think serral vs innovation, stats, TY, gumiho have a lot more potential
On March 01 2019 07:57 Xain0n wrote: I find it hard to think that Maru doesn't care. Why would he even bother to qualify and travel? Hiding builds at a 150k tournament seems unlikely as well.
maru cares. his fanboys are just looking for any excuse they can for his losses
i didnt see his series vs trap, but leenock and neeb straight up outplayed him. maybe it's time to come to terms with the fact that maru isnt all he has been hyped up to be, especially in macro games post raven nerf
everyone wants to see maru vs serral but i think serral vs innovation, stats, TY, gumiho have a lot more potential
Maru isn't all he has been hyped up to be? We see Maru against the best players in the world every single week in Korea. The hype around Maru extends exactly as far as his results. The moment he loses a match hype starts to die and starts to build around other players who are winning.
That's how stardom works in a community that values good performances.
It works a bit differently in other communities...
EPT
![[image loading]](https://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Waxangel/iem/katowice2019/iemkatowice2019banner.jpg)
Maru suffering a shock early elimination in Group B. The #1 Korean looked off his game, with consecutive series losses to Trap, Leenock, and Neeb sealing his fate. 
