Naniwa and Thorzain arrive in NYC for TSL3 Finals
Both TSL3 finalists safely landed in New York and are now at their TLHQ computers, most likely trying to figure out the new patch. When we picked him up from the airport, Naniwa had not heard the exact changes yet. "They gave the Thor energy? I was thinking about a counter to that build on the train, now I don't have to worry."
Interestingly, Naniwa and Thorzain played each other this past weekend at a live event in Stockholm, where Naniwa won 2-0. But both admitted they weren't playing very seriously, as they knew they'd be facing each other later this week in the TSL3 Finals.
Waxangel waits for Thorzain to arrive at the airport.
Naniwa and Thorzain are quite friendly with each other, often speaking in Swedish and joking about cheesing each other.
Even Naniwa is surprised at how successful he's been in tournaments recently. "I felt lucky to beat CrunCher [in the TSL3 Ro8] with so little time to prepare. I don't have time to practice since I travel so much, but I keep winning somehow."
Naniwa isn't worried about the warpgate research nerf. "I'll find a way to kill people with four gate anyway," he joked.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BEdiQrrmq8
It's easy to see why though when Naniwa talks about his schedule. "I just play and sleep, and even when I dream it's about StarCraft 2."
Naniwa's amazing streak of over 35 straight BoX wins is still active, and he has no problem setting his goals high. "I want to win MLG, TSL, DreamHack, and GSL. I want to be the first SC2 bonjwa. Then I'll be happy." But he also admitted that his loaded schedule often makes him fatigued.
While Naniwa went through Ret, GoOdy, CrunCher, and HasuObs to get to the TSL3 Finals, Thorzain's road was the most impressive, including two GSL champions (FruitDealer and MC), the TSL2 champion (Tyler), and one of the best Terrans in Europe (Kas).
After losing to Thorzain in the TSL3 Ro8, MC said in a Korean talk show that he believes Thorzain to be among the Top 5 Terrans in the world, at least in TvP. Would Thorzain play the three week Code A tournament if he was invited? "Yeah, I would. And if I qualified, of course I'd stay for Code S."
Thorzain is sad about the recent Thor nerf, but happy about all the new fans he's made from the TSL. He's switched teams from Praetoriani to the more established Mousesports, and hasn't forgotten his Swedish viking roots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc-sl520-fY
The TSL3 Finals between Dignitas.NaNiwa and mouz.ThorZaIN will be broadcast Sunday, May 15 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00). The third place match between Empire.Kas and mouz.HasuObs to win a seed into the TSL4 will take place the day before, on Saturday, May 14 6:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00).