[GSL] Code A Ro32 Day 1 / Code S Ro32 Group B

PlayXP Korean Bets (subject to change):
TankboyPrime.WE 41.07% : 58.93% IMJunwi
ZeNEXcOre 46.43% : 53.57% ZeNEXBanbanssu

PinnacleSports.com Odds (subject to change):
N/A

Match #1
Set 1: TankboyPrime.WE < Jungle Basin > IMJunwi
Set 2: TankboyPrime.WE < Shakuras Plateau > IMJunwi
Set 3: TankboyPrime.WE < Lost Temple > IMJunwi

IMJunwi ► advances 2-0
TankboyPrime.WE ► eliminated 0-2

Match #2
Set 1: ZeNEXcOre < Xel'Naga Caverns > BanBansZenith
Set 2: ZeNEXcOre < Steppes of War > BanBansZenith
Set 3: ZeNEXcOre < Shakuras Plateau > BanBansZenith

BanBansZenith ► advances 2-0
ZeNEXcOre ► eliminated 0-2

IMJunwi



Q. You won in your first Code A match, how do you feel about your chance of advancing to Code S?
A. I'm not too sure since I don't have a full grasp on performing on TV. After going into a slump towards the end of my BroodWar career, I've yet to climb out of the hole. I had a small taste of victory, but I wasn't able to focus in the early game, so I took a lot of damage.

Q. Many people say that your skill is at Code S level, how do you feel about this?
A. I don't think I'm that good. I sometimes feel that I can play well during practice, but I haven't been able to play my best on TV.

Q. You've advanced to the Round of 16 in Code A, do you think that this is an appropriate place for you?
A. I think this is exactly where I belong.

Q. It must have been difficult after 2 overlords died in the first set?
A. I thought that it would be a difficult game after they died like that. During practice, I focused on counter-attacking while the enemy moved out, and I was able to make a comeback.

Q. If you had to compare the first set to the second set?
A. I judged that I couldn't lose since the opponent played similar to the situations I practiced.

Q. Have you set any goals?
A. I want to get into Code S.

Q. What is the hypothetical best scenario?
A. I need to win the next match in order to compete for Code S, so that is my biggest goal at the moment.

Q. Protosses have held you back in the past.
A. I need to practice as if my life depended on it.

Q. The 2011 regular season has started, what is your long-term goal?
A. I initially set the goal to become the first, but my goal is slowly degenerating. I just want to play the way I know I can.

Q. Any comments?
A. Team IM fighting!

Original interview in Korean (www.playxp.com):
+ Show Spoiler +

TSL_FruitDealer
Achievements: GSL1 Champion, GSL2 Ro32, GSL3 Quarter Finals
Notable Victories: ST_RainBOw (4-1), LiveForeverZeNex (3-0), oGsInCa (2-0), HongUnPrime.WE (2-0),
Notable Defeats: MarineKingPrime.WE (0-2) (1-2), HongUnPrime.WE (2-3),

Along with NesTea, FruitDealer is the most successful Zerg player in the world, and certainly one of the most skilled. The dark horse champion of Season 1, he showed everyone what Zerg is capable of , giving hope to the swarm across the globe when he dropped only 2 games in Season 1. Unlike some other players in Season 1 who shall not be named, FruitDealer has improved and continued to stay at the head of the pack. With a healthy mix of builds and few weaknesses, it is debated as to whether he or NesTea is the best Zerg.

Verdict: Advance. Unless FruitDealers tries something akin to his Season 3 quarterfinal performance, he should easily advance. Though most known for his management and clever tactics (baneling bombs, anyone?), FruitDealer still possesses the ability and balls to all-in his opponent or mix in some cheese. Remember the 6 pool? Of course you do.


oGsZenio
Achievements: GSL1 Ro32, GSL2 Quarter Finalist, GSL3 Ro64
Notable Victories: EGIdrA (2-0), IMmvp (2-1)
Notable Defeats: HongUnPrime.WE (0-2), MakaPrime.WE (1-2) MarineKingPrime.WE (1-2), oGsTheWinD (0-2), IMNesTea (0-3)

Zenio is known to most for his backhand ceremony in Season 2. This is not a good thing. Besides knocking out Idra and MVP in Season 2, he has no big wins. These wins, however, were impressive and quite entertaining. Doom drops, hidden expansions, random burrowed banelings, and fearless expansions are what you can expect from Zenio. He is an exciting player with strong timings and transitions, but perhaps lacking in execution and micro.

Verdict. Code S. Zenio was unlucky to be grouped with FruitDealer and mvp. He is definitely skilled and versatile enough to stay in Code S and even beat FruitDealer, but I have to give the Season 1 champion the edge. If Zenio had been put in Group D, G, or E he would probably advance.


IMmvp
Achievements: GSL2 Ro32, GSL3 Ro16
Notable Victories: EGIdrA (2-1)
Notable Defeats: oGsZenio (1-2), choyafOu (0-2)

MVP was an A-teamer in Brood War and the best Terran on Woongjin Stars. It is a bit frustrating that MVP's team, Incredible Miracle, lacks strong players for him to practice with. Besides NesTea, there really isn't anyone to bring out MVP's potential. This is not an excuse for his 8-7 record in SC2, but it does mean that he will not reach his potential as quickly or fully had he joined, say, oGs. I hope MVP has been practising like a slave because I am dying to see him at full strength.

Verdict: Advance. MVP's early game aggression is deadly, but he does not rely on it or over commit. His transitions are very fluid. His expertise in Brood War has already shown itself in all the fundamentals. Once he gets going, MVP is going to be unstoppable. He is the most skilled contemporary Brood War player playing StarCraft 2. In 2010 he beat BaBy, Best, Stork, and Jangbi. He beat Flash in a TvT. I'm just saying.


oGsJookTo
Achievements: GSL1 Ro32, GSL2 Ro64, GSL3 Ro64
Notable Victories: None against Code-S competition.
Notable Defeats: MakaPrime (0-2)

One of the more unknown players on oGs, JookTo is ranked 32 out of the players in the GSL; he was the last to qualify for Code S. Consistent performance through the offline preliminaries qualified him for all three Seasons of the GSL, but got him no farther than the round of 32. Yet, this consistency was still enough to get 248 points more than the rank 33, Tankboy, and the many other Code A players who, despite strong broadcast performances, only qualified for 1 or 2 GSLs. Um... yeah. That's about it.

Verdict: Code A. JookTo qualified 3 times in a row but his 3-7 record in broadcast games is foreboding. Hopefully he will find a place in Code A where he can learn and improve, but it won't be easy amidst cutthroat competition.

PlayXP Korean Bets (subject to change):
TSL_FruitDealer 45.73% : 54.27% IMMvp
oGsZenio 63.67% : 36.33% oGsjookTo

PinnacleSports.com Odds (subject to change):
N/A

Set 1: TSL_FruitDealer < Lost Temple > IMMvp


Set 2: oGsZenio < Scrap Station > oGsjookTo


Set 3: IMMvp < Xel'Naga Caverns > oGsjookTo


Set 4: TSL_FruitDealer < Xel'Naga Caverns > oGsZenio


Set 5: IMMvp < Lost Temple > oGsZenio


Set 6: TSL_FruitDealer < Xel'Naga Caverns > oGsjookTo

IMMvp ► advances 3-0
oGsZenio ► advances 2-1
TSL_FruitDealer ► eliminated 1-2
oGsjookTo ► eliminated 0-3