EPT
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft/images2/2/2d/Eg-Liquidlogo_std.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/B7VLZUP.jpg)
Source: Daily eSports
NOTE: This is not an interview. It is an article published by Daily eSports that evaluates EG-TL's influence and effect in Proleague. Also, the title of the thread was not something I came up with either, it was all Daily eSports.
Before the start of Proleague, the partnership between Evil Geniuses and Team Liquid became the subject of many hot topics. Many people saw EG-TL as a championship contender team and as a threat to KeSPA's strongest teams when the alliance was first announced because of EG-TL's potential. However, EG-TL's Proleague results are 7-14 with the conclusion of the third round and they are now at a critical stage. Now the question that everyone is asking is whether or not EG-TL will be able pick things up for round four and onward as Proleague commences as HotS.
◆Maximum Potential?
Even before the start of Proleague, EG-TL held a lot of hype. Mainly because both teams were known for winning multiple championships in foreign tournaments and had players like Stephano, who shifted the paradigm for Zerg, ThorZaIN, DreamHack champion HerO, and TaeJa, who was notorious for his stylistic plays. With the addition of 8th Team's Jaedong to this composition, many people were sold on the notion that EG-TL would at the very least, rank in the top four.
However, even before the season began, people pointed out that EG-TL had somewhat of a weak Terran lineup and eventually that became the team's downfall. Liquid`TaeJa, who started off the season with a whopping 6-1 record, suffered a wrist injury and EG-TL headed into a critical situation because their ace player had to be removed from the roster. 2x NASL champion PuMa was on a losing streak and ThorZaIN decided to focus on HotS so every other team in Proleague was able to send out a lineup that could easily counter EG-TL's lineup. With EG-TL never being able to send out a proper lineup, their performances were never up to expectations.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GGOKFB3.jpg)
◆Jaedong's poor performance and TaeJa's injury.
TaeJa's inability to play out the role of EG-TL's ace as to everyone's expectations was crippling to the team. TaeJa, who was a surefire contender for the most wins in Proleague award with his 6-1 record at the start, had to be removed entirely from the roster because of his wrist injury. He did make a comeback after two months but his performances were not what they once were. People were even blaming TaeJa that he was sabotaging Proleague because they were not seeing a Code S semifinalist performance.
Former 8th Team's Jaedong's poor performance was also disappointing. Jaedong started off with five straight victories at the start of the season and was fulfilling his role for the team but is now currently on a five game losing streak and the atmosphere lessened significantly. The notion was that Jaedong was never able to overcome his ZvP weakness.
HerO is currently one of EG-TL's best performing players with a 10-10 record but he has been way too inconsistent. Stephano was also a player that many people had high expectations for but he was another let down with a 6-5 record. Former TSL's Revival was also another player that everyone had eyes on, and even though he did take down SK Telecom T1's Rain, he is currently on a six game losing streak. Lastly, JYP is tied with HerO as EG-TL's best performing player with a 10-10 record and there was also a notion that JYP was able to overcome his PvT weakness but the fact that he is not performing up to expectations cannot be overlooked.
◆Will HotS be their Saving Grace?
EG-TL's plan is to use round four, which will commence as HotS, to bring themselves back into the league. EG-TL hasn't officially confirmed this but there seems to be a plan to switch up the foreigners roster for round four. There is a very high chance that EG will add on to the EG-TL roster, Benjamin "DeMusliM" Baker and Greg "IdrA" Fields who has already been preparing for HotS for a long time.
Here is the most important question of all, can EG-TL's main players show a different form for Heart of the Swarm? If EG-TL is unable to perform up to expectations yet again for HotS, then there is a good chance that EG-TL will never be able to break out of last place. However, EG-TL had a head start in preparing for HotS compared to other Proleague teams so once again, there are high expectations for them.
-Daily eSports reporter, Kim Yong Woo
◆EG-TL's Current Standings:
Round 1: 3-4
Round 2: 3-4
Round 3: 1-6
Best Record: 2 straight victories
Worst Record: 4 straight losses (currently ongoing)
◆EG-TL's Player Results
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/izRo9Yl.jpg)
Ranking | Name + Race | Win-Loss | Win Percentages
21.
JYP | 10-10 | 50%21.
HerO | 10-10 | 50%28.
Jaedong | 7-10 | 41.2%32.
TaeJa | 6-6 | 50%32.
Stephano | 6-5 | 54.5%41.
Revival | 4-9 | 30.8%50.
Zenio | 2-6 | 25%58.
ThorZaIN | 1-4 | 20%58.
PuMa | 1-7 | 12.5%66.
HuK | 0-2 | 0%
