[SPL] Playoffs - MBCGame HERO vs WeMade FOX, Day 1

- Linkin Park, Points of Authority

Let us take a trip back in time, back to a time when Brood War was at its pinnacle, its zenith. Let us journey back to a time when Starcraft II had not yet shaken the foundations, back to a time when the match fixing scandal had not yet been revealed. This was the Golden Era of Brood War, a time when Starcraft championed the cause of ESPORTS, a time when being a progamer meant something more.


As the sun begins to set overhead, the race begins. Starting on an even footing, the twelve runners jostle for position amongst themselves. A few of the contestants stumbled. A few others surged forward, while others were content to bide their time in the middle of the pack. One last runner, despite his advanced age, continued running on.

Winter brings the fury of the storm. Snow and ice strike at the runners, but they will not be impeded. A few find strength from the cold, speeding past the opposition. The vast majority of the contestants, however, are content to stick together for warmth. The leader holds his spot, still far ahead of the rest. The eldest struggles silently in the back, completed impeded by the frozen conditions.

The weather starts to warm. Icicles melt, and the birds begin chirping again as the players sprint onward. The dominant leader increases his lead to a ridiculous margin, while three other runners try desperately to catch up. The middle of the pack plods on, still lacking the energy to pull ahead, and those in the rear of the pack pant desperately, seeking a reprieve.

Spring is now in full bloom. The weather violently changes: one day, the scorching sun may be beating down on the runners’ backs, and on others fierce rainstorms may flood the earth. The race is becoming desperate. Some contestants start sprinting, trying to push themselves to the front, yet they still cannot touch the dominant leader. Others could not keep up the pace, and had to watch the forerunners dash off into the distance.Some fell, forced to their knees by outside forces. Far, far behind the rest, the elderly runner waited, gathering his strength.

Summertime. The race enters the desert, and even though valiant efforts are made by some, it is not enough. The two frontrunners have lost their steam, yet they have amassed such a sizable advantage that they cannot be overtaken, even though their pursuers are trying their hardest, using the last of their energy. Surprisingly, the old man of them all has found a second wind, and is speeding along the road, trying desperately to catch up. Yet it is not enough, for he cannot even catch up to the other two stragglers at this point.

And after nine long months, this race is winding down. Nine months of struggle, of ease. Of victory, of defeat. Of the original twelve runners, six have fallen by the wayside, and six are left, still vying for the prize, the joy of being the first to cross the finish line.

And now, it’s finally coming to the end.

On July 17th, we will find out who is the strongest, the fastest. We will learn who has the will, the drive, to become a champion.

And so we have it. The playoffs are upon us. MBCGame HERO and WeMade FOX. After the matches have concluded, only one team can continue the race. The Maginot lines of siege tanks have been drawn, and both sides ready their forces. Despite sometimes questionable coaching decisions from both teams this round, there can be no doubt that this is going to be a tough fight.

Sea, Light, Pusan, Tyson, HyuN, Jaehoon, and probably IrOn on one side. BaBy, Midas, Mind, NaDa, Pure, RorO, Shine, and maybe Major on the other. It all comes down to these crucial Bo7s, matches that will test the depth of a team.

From looking at the list above, it can be inferred that WeMade has the deeper team. Between its 5-deep Terran lineup, annoying Zergs, and Pure FOX can strike from many different angles, and can easily field multiple choices for each team. However, on MBC’s side the Twin Tower Terrans stand strong, and can easily take on anybody on FOX. The real question tonight, then, is if Coach Ha can make the right choices, and if the players themselves will decide to play.

And so we begin.

2009-2010 Shinhan Proleague. Round of 6. Day 1.

Go.

Jaehoon< Polaris Rhapsody > Mind
Tyson < Fighting Spirit > Shine
Pusan < New Heartbreak Ridge > Pure
Sea < Grand Line SE > RorO
Saint < Judgment Day > Midas
Light < Roadrunner > BaBy
HyuN < Match Point > BaBy

I really just want to point out that Light and Sea trolled everybody. Light actually stood up and gave high fives before Hyun went up.

Epic.