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OSL Ro16 Week 4
26 October 2007
Results
+ Show Spoiler +
Up > Bisu @ Katrina
Hwasin > Iris @ Blue Storm
Nada < Jaedong @ Fantasy II
Rock < Savior @ Persona
Hwasin > Iris @ Blue Storm
Nada < Jaedong @ Fantasy II
Rock < Savior @ Persona
I’m not entirely sure what Bisu was thinking against Up. His in-base proxy gateway and decision to get dark templar over an expansion had me scratching my head. But disregarding the odd way in which the game unfolded, the quality of play was outstanding. Bisu showed phenomenal probe micro against Up’s attempted bunker rush, and Up harassed effectively and kept Bisu’s dark templar from doing any major damage.
Hwasin impressed me against Iris. He’s been doing that a lot lately. I’m still not sure what “happened” to Hwasin; he underwent a complete transformation in just a few months, a meteoric rise the likes of which I’ve never seen in an established player. Most players plateau in skill once they reach the highest level of play, but Hwasin keeps getting better and better. The game itself is a solid, dominant performance from Hwasin.
Jaedong’s game against Nada was hilarious. Nada had that game. It was over. The win was his. Then Jaedong, who by this point had around 13 drones, stormed Nada’s base with a large zergling force, killed each and every one of his SCVs, defended against Nada’s drop, and smiled as Nada conceded defeat. If I’d actually wanted Nada to win, I’d probably have torn a few handfuls of my hair out after the game. But I only root for Nada when he’s playing Terato, Chojja, or Silver.
Savior vs. Rock went exactly as I expected. Rock’s “corsair into mass zealots with speed” strategy reeked of desperation, and Savior crushed him in the span of about ten minutes. Overall, however, this week’s OSL games were fantastic. I can wholeheartedly recommend the entire set of games, although Savior vs. Rock is the clear lemon of the bunch.
Credit for these videos goes, as always, to someone other than me.
+ Show Spoiler +
Bisu vs. Up @ Katrina
Iris vs. Hwasin @ Blue Storm
Jaedong vs. Nada @ Fantasy II
Rock vs. Savior @ Persona
Iris vs. Hwasin @ Blue Storm
Jaedong vs. Nada @ Fantasy II
Rock vs. Savior @ Persona
The group stage of the OSL is nearly complete, and this coming week holds some decisive games. Can Up secure an undisputed group stage victory with a win over GGPlay? Will July play the spoiler and keep Hwasin out of the single-elimination tournament? Between Stork and Jaedong, who will prove himself superior at his worst matchup? Will Savior avenge his recent loss against Flash to improve to 3-0?
Predictions
+ Show Spoiler +
GGPlay has looked terrible this OSL, but he is known for having some of the strongest ZvT in the world. Conversely, Up has looked strong this OSL, but he has always had shaky TvZ. Even though Blue Storm current favors Zergs 7-3 over Terrans, I’m going with my gut and predicting that Up takes this game; GGPlay seems to be stricken with the dreaded OSL curse.
After making both Starleagues, July has fizzled. Fantasy II hardly fits with his aggressive style, and Hwasin’s play as of late has been consistent and strong. With his flexible style, Hwasin should take this game easily.
I’m interested to see Stork’s PvZ strategy on Persona; I’ve had some difficulties formulating an effective build for the map. (It appears Rock did, too.) Neither Stork nor Jaedong “needs” to win this game; both have already secured their advancement into the single-elimination tournament. But I still hope to see a close, exciting contest.
Terran players are currently 5-2 TvZ on Katrina, but that doesn’t make me any less confident in Savior. Flash, however, has traditionally fared well on macro-based maps like Katrina. He has the potential to win this one.
After making both Starleagues, July has fizzled. Fantasy II hardly fits with his aggressive style, and Hwasin’s play as of late has been consistent and strong. With his flexible style, Hwasin should take this game easily.
I’m interested to see Stork’s PvZ strategy on Persona; I’ve had some difficulties formulating an effective build for the map. (It appears Rock did, too.) Neither Stork nor Jaedong “needs” to win this game; both have already secured their advancement into the single-elimination tournament. But I still hope to see a close, exciting contest.
Terran players are currently 5-2 TvZ on Katrina, but that doesn’t make me any less confident in Savior. Flash, however, has traditionally fared well on macro-based maps like Katrina. He has the potential to win this one.
