EPTRo32: Group B Preview
Nerchio, 
ShoWTimE, 
jjakji, LiveZergby Waxangel
Now that we've had a day to shake off the shock of NaNiwa's elimination, let's take a look at the next Ro32 group in WCS Europe.
First and foremost, Group B should be known as
mYi.jjakji's group. The former GSL champion has terrorized both the European ladder and tournament scene, and was confident enough to declare himself the favorite to win WCS Europe. While we don't completely agree with him – MC, San, and StarDust have looked very strong lately – jjakji definitely is one of the top contenders.We probably don't have to start telling cautionary tales just yet (it's only the Ro32 after all), but we can't help but make some ForGG comparisons. When ForGG first arrived in Europe in 2012, he enjoyed similar dominance over the region. However, he was unable to take a major title at the peak of his powers, and he eventually let other players catch up to him. Of course, players like Polt show that not all Koreans get worse over time when they live abroad. ForGG himself is still very good, notably having a resurgence at the recent ASUS ROG tournament. But that doesn't take away the sense of urgency from jjakji that he should strike while the iron is hot.
Assuming jjakji doesn't pull a NaNiwa/Scarlett, that will leave just one Ro16 spot for the three other contenders in this group to fight for. It looks like it could be a bloody free for all.
Acer.Nerchio is obviously the name that sticks out, with the Polish Zerg having been a top foreigner at one time. Is he still one now? It's always hard to know with Nerchio, as players will tell you that his effort and interest comes and goes. His results in WCS 2013 were hardly consistent, going from Premier to Challenger and back to Premier in three seasons. If we consult the all-powerful Aligulac, he seems to be playing fairly well as of late. We almost had a chance to see his skills tested at ASUS ROG Winter, but alas, he had to cancel his participation.WCS Europe fans should all remember
ESC.ShoWTimE who defeated Mvp twice to eliminate him from the Ro32 of 2013's Season 3. Unfortunately, ShoWTimE couldn't continue the upsets when he had to play the Ro16 rounds in Cologne, and was eliminated in losses to ForGG and Nerchio. Since then he's returned to being another online-only competitor, and there he's continued to do pretty well. A 3-0 over Morrow earned ShoWTimE a return to the Premier League, but the Terran he might face in this group is one of the scariest of them all.I vaguely remember saying things like "Livezerg and Abver are going to do well some day" in long, lost days of yore, so it's nice to see LiveZerg make it to Premier.
RoX.KIS.LiveZerg's last major tournament result was a group stage elimination at WCG 2013, but since it was PartinG and Sen who advanced ahead of him, we can't really read too deeply into that result. LiveZerg did happen to impress and entertain in WCS Challenger League, showing off an unusually aggressive, zergling and baneling heavy style to defeat Harstem 3-1.Predictions: Despite knowing WCS Europe's penchant for upsets and having experienced the double whammy of NaNiwa & Scarlett's eliminations, I still have to go with the two more established players here.
Nerchio > ShoWTimE
jjakji > LiveZerg
jjakji > Nerchio
LiveZerg > ShoWTimE
Nerchio > LiveZerg
jjakji and Nerchio advance.
WCS Europe Premier League Season 1 Player List
Protoss (13): MC, Genius, Stardust, NaNiwa, Grubby, BlinG, Lilbow, Welmu, ShoWTimE, HasuObs, San, BabyKnight, NightEnD
Terran (8): MMA, Mvp, Happy, Bunny, Dayshi, Kas, ForGG, jjakji
Zerg (11): VortiX, Nerchio, TargA, FireCake, Starbuck, Slivko, TLO, Bly, LiveZerg, Snute, Miniraser
