Blizzcup Group A Winners Interviews

MVP.DRG


Q: You advanced into the semi-finals with the first place in the group.

I feel really really good. I will be able to get into the finals if I win a series in the semi-finals. I wanted to play in the finals in a big event and I finally got my chance. I won't miss-out on it and will get into the finals.

Q : You turned the game around against MVP and won.

(As he gets surprised) A come back? Was I really that behind? I didn't think I was behind at all throughout the whole game. I didn't lose anything from the Hellion rush. I lost my third hatchery but I killed all his hellions and also killed a command centre, from that point I thought I couldn't lose.

Q : You could have also taken a game against Stephano

I over-extended too much. I expected him to take a hatchery at the natural and used a build against it. I spent too many Zerglings trying to destroy his Spine Crawlers and that made me lose.

Q : How do you feel about Stephano after playing against him?

I think he is a good player but his style is rather simple. His opponent can easily make a counter build-order against him. If players face Stephano bit more and take time to analyse his style, he should be a comfortable opponent. But his mechanics are solid.

Q : In the last game, if you would win you would come out as the first but if you lost you would be disqualified.

When I found about that before the game, I started a mind-game to MC. But MC didn't fall for any of that and didn't intend to lose at all. He played so hard I thought I was going to lose. I was thinking about getting him a nice dinner but that was a mistake.

Q : Who do you think your opponent would be? You could meet MC again.

I think Nestea and Leenock should come out from Group B as the 1st and 2nd. Whoever it might be, whether it's MC or ZvZ it will be a hard game. I wish to play a Terran player but the map pools disfavour Terrans so I doubt it.

Q : You really haven't made made a clear result from GSL except for winning IEM.

That is why this is such a good opportunity. I want this tournament to be my turning point so I can happily spend the new years. Many people tells me that I am a bubble that I am overrated and I am now horrible against both Terran and Protoss. I want to kick away all these perceptions by winning this tournament.

Q : Any last words?

I thank my team-mates who helped me to practice. Now I have a chance I will show my fans that I can also get into the finals. As for the last words.. I have seen the winners prediction poll on Teamliquid, I thought I would be at least in the mid-way but only 2% voted for me. I was shocked. I got more determined to get win the tournament after looking at the poll. So keep an out eye.

IMMvp


Q : How do you feel about advancing into the next round?

To be honest, my goal that I set up on the way to the studio was 3rd placement. I couldn't practice much and manage my conditions well enough. But I am happy that I am still in. I will try my best to manage my condition to show better games.

Q : You played four games today. I know they were all tough but which one was the toughest?

There weren't games that were too hard because all games were finished relatively early. But I feel pity about losing to DRG. I had a chance to win but I lost my concentration as the game shifted to the late game phase. I got impatient and went for a rush when I shouldn't. Losing a game that I could possibly win is always pitiful.

Q : How are you physically and mentally right now?

My stamina actually improved as I travel to many tournaments. It's not as tiring as before. But I still can't manage my concentration well enough, I need to figure out how I can control my concentration level.

Q : There was Media Day at 1PM. You could've practised bit more if it wasn't for that.

When I heard about Media Day, I thought it was going to be tough. But WCG and Blizzcup are two separate events. It wouldn't make any sense if I ranted about a tournament process. But I might have made a compliant if they were organized by the same organization. But Media Day is the opportunity to meet all other players and greet them so I gladly participated.

Q : You won total six times from various tournaments in 2011. You could win another tournament and end 2011.

Blizzcup is the one of the big tournaments but the championship from Blizzcup is most meaningful title. The title is the best player of 2011 and I really want that. I really want to win, I also recently got a hobby of collecting trophies and having another one in my collection would make me happy.

Q : The tournament gathered around players who got a championship from other tournaments. Did this tournament feel any different to you?

Playing in different leagues makes players aware of play styles of other players. Even today, there were builds intending to finish the game early and sniping build orders could be seen. Players who won a tournament played many games and they are well aware of other players' style. You can't be relaxed in this tournament.

Q : Who would you want to avoid before the finals?

Of course I want to avoid Nestea. He is in the same team so I want to avoid him as much as possible. This means that I want to see him in the finals with me.

Q : How do you feel about Stephano?

After the first game was over, I watched his game. It was against Hero and I thought he was very good. I was even emotionally touched with his play. If he participates in a GSL Code A qualifier, I am sure he has a really high chance of getting into Code S. As far as I know he is the first player who used Infestor build, playing against him did tell me that he has a distinctive style. He has got a good game sense with his own unique style.

Q : Anything else that you want to add on?

There are other things than a championship that I can also earn from the winning. I have won 99 games in my record so far and winning another game will give me 100 victories. I also will exceed 300,000,000 KRW for the prize money. But I also want the title of the best player of 2011. I will prepare well for my other games and will try to win.

Coaching KANG (Dong-Hoon KANG) is exhausted as he came down to Busan with me. I hope he gets a good rest once Blizzcup is over. Also it was his wedding anniversary yesterday which I bless the couple for. I thank my mum,dad and sister who always cheer for me even from home. I also thank sponsors for supporting the team. While I was in Busan, My girlfriend helped me to win against Stephano, well she recorded Stephano's stream with her phone and sent it to me (laughs)

oGsMC


Q : You advance into the next rounds with the third placement. How do you feel?

When MVP won the last game and it was determined already, I stopped being nervous. But I also couldn't concentrate well and lost a game to DRG.

Q : I bet advancing as a third player is not what you were aiming for?

I wanted to be the first from the group. 2nd and 3rd are the same in my opinion. When I knew that there was no way I could be the first in the group I was bit disappointed. But I still didn't want to lose but knowing that I am ready advancing made me wanting to end the game quickly. I think I was very impatient.

Q : Do you find Blizzcup different from other tournaments?

It's like being in GSL up/down matches (laughs). Because it is BO1 and the full-league format. I personally find the format bit disappointing. Strong players getting knocked out easily doesn't seem to be a good thing. I think they should have made it dual-elimination format.

Q : Unfortunately, you won against players who live in the same team house.

When I was coming into the studio with Hero we were telling each other 'Please let's not meet each other with 1L written on our names'. I feel bad. But we are on a different team even though we live in the same house (laughs). I am representing oGs and I wish to win. In the rounds of 6, I want to face MMA on the Calm before the storms.

Q : Are you saying you want to meet MMA as your next opponent?

Well, not MMA necessarily but a Terran player. I want to avoid Naniwa. One less Protoss in the tournament would be sad for the race. Well, I don't really care if Naniwa gets knocked out but if he advances, I hope he is not in the second in his group.

Q : What do you think about the possibility of winning for you?

If I make into the finals and face MVP, it will be very tough. I am confident about getting into the finals though. I also got more confidence in PvZ so meeting DRG in the semi-finals shouldn't be a problem.

Q : What is the meaning of Blizzcup to you?

Fireworks of resurrection? I try not to find the tournament too burdensome but when I actually started to play in games I couldn't do that well. I was very nervous today.

Q : Any last words?

My girlfriend brought me an energy drink so I want to thank her. Hero got knocked out after losing four times and I hope he isn't too upset about it, I hope he does well in up/down matches. Stephano might misunderstood from the last game but I NEVER lost on purpose because DRG is Korea. I was not nervous at all and lost focus too much. I really didn't want to lose at all so I hope he doesn't misunderstand that game if he did. I haven't been into the finals for a long time. I hope I can get into the finals in Blizzcup and communicate with many fans at the finals.