• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 10:58
CEST 16:58
KST 23:58
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star5Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists14[ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt1: Fresh Flow9[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt2: News Flash10[ASL21] Ro24 Preview Pt1: New Chaos0
Community News
2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers11Maestros of the Game 2 announced52026 GSL Tour plans announced14Weekly Cups (April 6-12): herO doubles, "Villains" prevail1MaNa leaves Team Liquid22
StarCraft 2
General
Maestros of the Game 2 announced 2026 GSL Tour plans announced Blizzard Classic Cup @ BlizzCon 2026 - $100k prize pool MaNa leaves Team Liquid Team Liquid Map Contest #22 - The Finalists
Tourneys
RSL Revival: Season 5 - Qualifiers and Main Event Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament GSL CK: More events planned pending crowdfunding 2026 GSL Season 1 Qualifiers Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2)
Strategy
Custom Maps
[D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3 [A] Nemrods 1/4 players [M] (2) Frigid Storage
External Content
Mutation # 522 Flip My Base The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 521 Memorable Boss Mutation # 520 Moving Fees
Brood War
General
ASL21 Strategy, Pimpest Plays Discussions Data needed BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ [ASL21] Ro16 Preview Pt2: All Star RepMastered™: replay sharing and analyzer site
Tourneys
[ASL21] Ro16 Group C Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2 [Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Ro16 Group A
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers What's the deal with APM & what's its true value Any training maps people recommend? Fighting Spirit mining rates
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Battle Aces/David Kim RTS Megathread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Starcraft Tabletop Miniature Game
Dota 2
The Story of Wings Gaming
League of Legends
G2 just beat GenG in First stand
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia Mafia Game Mode Feedback/Ideas TL Mafia Community Thread Five o'clock TL Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Things Aren’t Peaceful in Palestine Russo-Ukrainian War Thread YouTube Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The IdrA Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
[Manga] One Piece Anime Discussion Thread [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books Movie Discussion!
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
[G] How to Block Livestream Ads
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
Reappraising The Situation T…
TrAiDoS
lurker extra damage testi…
StaticNine
Broowar part 2
qwaykee
Funny Nicknames
LUCKY_NOOB
Iranian anarchists: organize…
XenOsky
ASL S21 English Commentary…
namkraft
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 1912 users

Serral to begin military service on April 15th

Forum Index > SC2 General
41 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 All last
Fango
Profile Joined July 2016
United Kingdom8987 Posts
March 20 2024 23:08 GMT
#23
Tbh he will still probably be the favorite to win the World Championship if he can make it.

He can practice games in his head, he's that good, and the metas not exactly changing every week often. He'll maybe have fewer snipe builds but he's never actually needed those, it's the difference between winning 4-0 and 4-2.
Zest, sOs, PartinG, Dark, and Maru are the real champs. ROOT_herO is overrated. Snute, Serral, and Scarlett are the foreigner GOATs
Nakajin
Profile Blog Joined September 2014
Canada8989 Posts
March 21 2024 00:32 GMT
#24
On March 21 2024 08:08 Fango wrote:
Tbh he will still probably be the favorite to win the World Championship if he can make it.

He can practice games in his head, he's that good, and the metas not exactly changing every week often. He'll maybe have fewer snipe builds but he's never actually needed those, it's the difference between winning 4-0 and 4-2.


Yeah, he was so far above everybody else in Kato, I can't imagine he'll suffer from a lack of practice.
Writerhttp://i.imgur.com/9p6ufcB.jpg
GoloSC2
Profile Joined August 2014
712 Posts
March 21 2024 13:45 GMT
#25
On March 20 2024 06:31 zelevin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 19 2024 02:06 ssg wrote:
I thought this was a troll. Is it a troll?

man, people just can't believe anything about serral.
serral IS the second greatest of all time
serral IS going to the military

appreciate you bringing this up since currently theres no other threads where goat order is discussed
"Code S > IEM > Super Tournament > Homestory Cup > Blizzcon/WESG > GSL vs The World > Invitational tournaments in China with Koreans > WCS events" - Rodya
hexhaven
Profile Joined July 2014
Finland963 Posts
March 22 2024 01:23 GMT
#26
On March 20 2024 06:31 zelevin wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 19 2024 02:06 ssg wrote:
I thought this was a troll. Is it a troll?

man, people just can't believe anything about serral.
serral IS the second greatest of all time
serral IS going to the military


Serral is indeed the greatest military of all time.
WriterI shoot events. | http://www.jussi.co/esports
Bennito_bh
Profile Joined June 2022
15 Posts
March 25 2024 23:51 GMT
#27
Ah great, whose idea was it to give the goat a sniper rifle?
Tommy131313
Profile Joined May 2016
Germany157 Posts
March 26 2024 01:42 GMT
#28
Best of luck for the GOAT of our hearts! Have a good start into the service.
For the swarm! GLGL
lorestarcraft
Profile Joined April 2011
United States1049 Posts
March 26 2024 15:29 GMT
#29
Can some Americans finally get good so we don't have this problem?!?
SC2 Mapmaker
Durnuu
Profile Joined September 2013
13322 Posts
March 26 2024 16:46 GMT
#30
On March 27 2024 00:29 lorestarcraft wrote:
Can some Americans finally get good so we don't have this problem?!?

You had Neeb but he played Protoss so he couldn’t last as long as Serral
BUNNYYYYYYYYY https://i.imgur.com/BiCF577.png
bITt.mAN
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Switzerland3693 Posts
March 27 2024 08:12 GMT
#31
On March 19 2024 15:13 ownself wrote:
In a moment I thought military service is something you have to face once you became a Starcraft pro player, not just be a Korean......


Same thought! Clearly it is fate
BW4LYF . . . . . . PM me, I LOVE PMs. . . . . . Long live "NaDa's Body" . . . . . . Fantasy | Bisu/Best | Jaedong . . . . .
argonautdice
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada2719 Posts
March 27 2024 17:57 GMT
#32
On March 27 2024 00:29 lorestarcraft wrote:
Can some Americans finally get good so we don't have this problem?!?

No you have it backward, obviously America needs to institute mandatory military service so Americans can win at Starcraft again.
very illegal and very uncool
CerebrateHector
Profile Joined January 2024
53 Posts
April 03 2024 17:33 GMT
#33
Mandatory Military Service ruining Starcraft since 1998 ....

I hate goverments, politicians should fight their own stupid wars ....
CerebrateHector
Profile Joined January 2024
53 Posts
April 03 2024 17:37 GMT
#34
On March 27 2024 00:29 lorestarcraft wrote:
Can some Americans finally get good so we don't have this problem?!?


Well there is no mandatory military service on Italy (It was abolished in 2004), and with no Rogue, Dark or Serral... Reynor is Zerg's future and hope.

As for France (Clem), it also doesnt have MMS. So thats also a win.

As for Protoss, his royal highness the duke of denmark MaxPax, i dont think he will get drafted any time soon ...
argonautdice
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada2719 Posts
April 03 2024 18:38 GMT
#35
On April 04 2024 02:37 CerebrateHector wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 27 2024 00:29 lorestarcraft wrote:
Can some Americans finally get good so we don't have this problem?!?

As for Protoss, his royal highness the duke of denmark MaxPax, i dont think he will get drafted any time soon ...

Unfortunately Max "Hamlet" Pax's royalty status means he would never appear at a Premier offline tournament anyway.
very illegal and very uncool
Kreuger
Profile Joined October 2011
Sweden855 Posts
April 03 2024 18:52 GMT
#36
No Serral in the Regionals, Reynor playing from Korea.

Looks like we will have a Max Pax / Clem fight for #1
CerebrateHector
Profile Joined January 2024
53 Posts
April 03 2024 19:02 GMT
#37
On April 04 2024 03:52 Kreuger wrote:
No Serral in the Regionals, Reynor playing from Korea.

Looks like we will have a Max Pax / Clem fight for #1


When if anytime does Rogue/Zest return ?
Kreuger
Profile Joined October 2011
Sweden855 Posts
April 03 2024 19:12 GMT
#38
On April 04 2024 04:02 CerebrateHector wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 04 2024 03:52 Kreuger wrote:
No Serral in the Regionals, Reynor playing from Korea.

Looks like we will have a Max Pax / Clem fight for #1


When if anytime does Rogue/Zest return ?


They wont be playing in EU anyways :p
Waxangel
Profile Blog Joined September 2002
United States33592 Posts
April 04 2024 00:11 GMT
#39
Serral officially forfeited his spot in the online EPT EU regionals. If he gets permission to compete at Dallas, could be fun to see him work his way up from the open bracket (too bad it's not like the old MLG days where he has to mow through gold leaguers for 8 hours)

AdministratorHey HP can you redo everything youve ever done because i have a small complaint?
argonautdice
Profile Joined January 2013
Canada2719 Posts
April 04 2024 01:51 GMT
#40
I'm guessing Serral won't be able to take part in WTL? Rotti as ace player for Basilisk? :o
very illegal and very uncool
Harris1st
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Germany7153 Posts
April 04 2024 09:17 GMT
#41
On April 04 2024 04:02 CerebrateHector wrote:
Show nested quote +
On April 04 2024 03:52 Kreuger wrote:
No Serral in the Regionals, Reynor playing from Korea.

Looks like we will have a Max Pax / Clem fight for #1


When if anytime does Rogue/Zest return ?


Rogue is back already
Go Serral! GG EZ for Ence. Flashbang dance FTW
Kreuger
Profile Joined October 2011
Sweden855 Posts
Last Edited: 2024-04-23 23:07:35
April 23 2024 18:52 GMT
#42
Saw this on reddit

https://ruotuvaki.fi/-/miljoonia-tienannut-e-urheilija-joona-sotala-hankki-varuskunnan-vieresta-toimiston-jonne-voi-vetaytya-pelaamaan-vapaa-ajalla

https://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/1cb8crm/serral_hired_an_office_next_to_the_garrison_he/

From proper_ikea_boy

"The two-time StarCraft world champion does not believe that serving at a sports school will hamper his career.

Joona "Serral" Sotala, who has made millions from e-sports, is not worried about the impact of service on his career. StarCraft's toughest challengers come from South Korea, where military service lasts two years.

Finnish e-sports superstar Joona Sotala began his service at the Guard Ice Regiment's sports school in April.

The sports school has been accepting e-athletes since 2017, but Sotala is still the first professional player to start his service at the school.

The service will definitely be tough at times, but also fun, Sotala reflects.

StarCraft II, which Sotala plays, is a real-time strategy game in which individual players compete against each other. Serral, known around the world, is a two-time world champion and the first non-Korean world champion of his kind.

The 26-year-old Sotala rents an office in Laajasalo, next door to Santahamina, where he can train during his military service. On weekends, he plans to go to Pornais.

The Defence Forces were willing to give me space here, but I decided to get my own place where I could train in peace," Sotala explains.

Serral plays for the BASILISK international organisation in the USA. The team let its star player decide on his own when he would do his military service.

The organisation took my decision very well. It's probably not an optimal situation for them, but they have been very supportive," Sotala reveals.

International fans have been surprised to see e-sport star Sotala join the army. Many fans didn't even know that Finland has compulsory military service. Armed service is a familiar topic in StarCraft circles, though, as many professionals serve long stints in Korea.

Tournaments around the world

This year, Serral has played in three tournaments and has already earned a place in the StarCraft World Championship. In this year's tournaments, Sotala has won two and taken bronze in one.

There are currently only five players in the world who have already earned their place at the World Championship in Saudi Arabia. Serral has earned by far the most qualification points and can now focus on the summer's giant tournament.

Sotala is aiming for two main tournaments during his service. These are the ESL Masters in Dallas and the World Championship in Saudi Arabia. The event in Texas will take place just before the World Championships and will be a great way to try out the last tactics before the season culminates.

Sotala is happy with the arrangements made by the Defence Forces and believes he will be able to compete abroad without any problems.

Smokers surprised positively

The first days in the army have gone smoothly, according to Sotala. The discipline and culture are what he had expected. The smoking buddies were a positive surprise.

Some of my smoking buddies were a little surprised when I came to the sports school. In general, I have got on well with smokers. It's been fun so far," says Sotala.

Despite his success, Sotala feels he is in the same boat as all the other conscripts who have just started.

In the army, gun handling and shooting are also of interest to the newcomer.

Shooting is fun. It's nice to at least try it out," Sotala says.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)"
1 2 3 All last
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
Wardi Open
11:00
#83
WardiTV1033
Rex153
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Lowko449
Hui .261
LamboSC2 175
Rex 153
ProTech110
goblin 19
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 7295
EffOrt 1033
Mini 961
BeSt 770
Soma 507
Larva 503
Stork 429
Soulkey 301
actioN 271
ggaemo 200
[ Show more ]
Rush 196
hero 161
ToSsGirL 128
Snow 104
Pusan 102
Hm[arnc] 92
Hyun 89
Killer 86
Sharp 76
sSak 40
Backho 32
JulyZerg 25
yabsab 18
Dewaltoss 14
Shine 13
Movie 12
Terrorterran 11
SilentControl 11
zelot 4
ivOry 2
eros_byul 1
Dota 2
Gorgc6742
qojqva1643
BananaSlamJamma168
Counter-Strike
byalli450
allub255
adren_tv36
Other Games
hiko835
B2W.Neo739
Mlord548
ceh9378
crisheroes158
ArmadaUGS135
Sick84
RotterdaM73
Trikslyr29
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Main Stream14148
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream2369
Other Games
BasetradeTV705
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 16 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• HerbMon 16
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• WagamamaTV471
League of Legends
• Nemesis1813
• TFBlade1324
• Jankos1080
Other Games
• Shiphtur77
Upcoming Events
Monday Night Weeklies
1h 2m
RSL Revival
11h 2m
GSL
17h 2m
Afreeca Starleague
19h 2m
Barracks vs Leta
Royal vs Light
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
20h 2m
RSL Revival
1d 19h
Replay Cast
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
KCM Race Survival
2 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
2 days
[ Show More ]
CranKy Ducklings
3 days
Escore
3 days
RSL Revival
4 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
4 days
Universe Titan Cup
4 days
Rogue vs Percival
Ladder Legends
5 days
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
5 days
BSL
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
WardiTV Map Contest Tou…
5 days
Ladder Legends
6 days
BSL
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Replay Cast
6 days
Wardi Open
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Escore Tournament S2: W3
RSL Revival: Season 4
NationLESS Cup

Ongoing

BSL Season 22
ASL Season 21
CSL 2026 SPRING (S20)
IPSL Spring 2026
KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
StarCraft2 Community Team League 2026 Spring
WardiTV TLMC #16
Nations Cup 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 1
BLAST Open Spring 2026
ESL Pro League S23 Finals
ESL Pro League S23 Stage 1&2
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
IEM Kraków 2026

Upcoming

Escore Tournament S2: W4
Acropolis #4
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
CSLAN 4
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
HSC XXIX
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
2026 GSL S2
RSL Revival: Season 5
2026 GSL S1
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.