The Protossing of GSL Code S was stalled in the final group of the RO16 as Dark and INnoVation bested Stats and Patience to secure the final two spots in the playoff bracket. Dark lived up to his reputation of perennial title contender, making short work for Patience with Nydus tactics in his initial series before out-macroing the macro-machine INnoVation to advance from the group in first place. While INnoVation was thwarted by Dark, he pulled off the impressive feat of defeating Protoss bulwark Stats twice on the night to advance in second place.
Dark is virtually guaranteed a finals spot, but every single player from the top bracket could beat him once he gets there.
Not that he's weak by any means, or lacks the skill, but Classic defeated him in last season's semifinals, soO also defeated him on many a time (including the Kespa Cup finals), Inno is a pretty safe bet once he gets to the finals, and Trap has a great record against him. Add in Dark's not-quite-soO levels of Kong, and I have a hard time seeing him lift the GSL trophy.
I really hope a Protoss will win this time, the last time a Protoss won one of the big tournaments was Stats early 2017 GSL, and sOs all the way back in 2016 World finals.
On June 02 2019 09:38 Dedraterllaerau wrote: I really hope a Protoss will win this time, the last time a Protoss won one of the big tournaments was Stats early 2017 GSL, and sOs all the way back in 2016 World finals.
I really hope Zerg wins this time. The last time a Zerg won a GSL was literally last expansion
It seems like Classic - Dark final (A dream final). But will see. Even as a Dark fan, I can't deny that soO is better in preparations and he knows how to jump to higher level when he smells that final Code S match is near. Dark is exactly the opposite and bares his ultimate curse by losing matches before final. Ro8 will be interesting for sure. To be honest, Inno doesn't have many chances which is insane even to believe it, but Trap and all his team will prepare him seriously. I'm still mad the way Trap beat TY in last season. Parting definitely has more variety in his strats rather than Hurricane, even that I'm very inspired by Hurricane. I will be glad if anyone of them continue forward. herO is a great gentleman but the reality is cruel - definitely an underdog against Dark. Will see how Ragnarok will prepare herO for the match but ZvP is still the highest level of Dark. And he has the chance to face only tosses to the end which will give him big lead. GL to all.
On June 02 2019 10:52 Anc13nt wrote: I think Dark will win this GSL. I think Inno will probably make finals but will lose to Dark. He hasn't beaten Dark in a series for a very long time.
If the finals does end up being Inno vs Dark, I would 100% bet on Inno. He's won 9 of 11 big tournament finals that he made it to, or 9 of 12 if you want to count HSC. He's tied with Mvp for the record of closing it out, surpassing Maru and Serral and Life. Dark on the other hand has won 2 of 10 finals that he made it to, and one of those was the Cross Finals that only had 4 players attending. Dark isn't quite as bad as soO, but he's not far off either.
Inno and Dark are polar opposites when it comes to clutch factor, which is why only one of them is on the GOAT shortlist.
Kinda disappointed that INnoVation and Classic are on the same side of the bracket, I view them as the top two participants still alive this season. Stupid 12 Pool ruined it for everyone but Dark.
On June 02 2019 10:52 Anc13nt wrote: I think Dark will win this GSL. I think Inno will probably make finals but will lose to Dark. He hasn't beaten Dark in a series for a very long time.
If the finals does end up being Inno vs Dark, I would 100% bet on Inno. He's won 9 of 11 big tournament finals that he made it to, or 9 of 12 if you want to count HSC. He's tied with Mvp for the record of closing it out, surpassing Maru and Serral and Life. Dark on the other hand has won 2 of 10 finals that he made it to, and one of those was the Cross Finals that only had 4 players attending. Dark isn't quite as bad as soO, but he's not far off either.
Inno and Dark are polar opposites when it comes to clutch factor, which is why only one of them is on the GOAT shortlist.
I agree despite being reverse-sweeped by Soulkey, he is really clutch in finals but I feel like it is not enough to have history on his side. soO in GSL 2018 Season 1 and sOs in 2018 Blizzcon both had history on their side but Stats still beat them.
EPT
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