[Interviews] TSL Ladder

With the ending of the qualification ladder, we sent a questionnaire out to all the players that have qualified (questions by Rage). Here you can find some of their views on the ladder, as well as their strategies for qualification, and their future predictions. Enjoy!
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Newest Interview

18 - RoX.ALF
+ Show Spoiler [RoX_ALF] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I had need 22 pts to get top16 so i was a little disappointed ), but anyway its okay and i`m ready to do my best in qualify match.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
On monday, when i came back from the university i thought that there 7 more hours of TSL(till 24:00 CET), but by pure accident i saw on tl.net a timer with "00:50:00 left" . So i quickly tried to get top16 but all i could do is only top17 )

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Nope

4. Your opponent next round will be spx on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I hope i`ll win on both first maps, but anyway i mostly like BlueStorm

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
As far as it will be possible

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
Just belive that both my teammates will do this

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
At last day of TSL i had time only for two games, i won both but even if i lose i had enough pts to remain in top48

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I was very passive

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I didnt use any cheats and didnt break the rules so why not?

45 - Qpad.ZpuX
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-ZpuX] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Already happy, too many good players up there

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
nope, I was at school and coulden't do much, but the night before I lost 3 games which really put my spot in jeopardy, but I managed to win 2 games after and I felt safe again. But I wouldn't have mind missing top48 either, TSL messed up my school

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Na, everyone is good, but would have been fun to see smuft nazgul etc in there aswell.

4. Your opponent next round will be Rondo on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
The maps are ok I guess, and my pvz is decent, I guess it will come down to if I can control my nerves or not. (nerv werck

)

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I wont be dissapointed if I don't win in the round.1 but if I win round 1 I will lose in the second round, so it doesen't really matter...

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
I just hope Lz and Haypro win their games, and that as many p players as possible is losing

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Well I thought I would miss top48, but I decided that would not be the case and put my play together and pulled two wins, not that thrilling.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Only a few games, I felt suer about my rank and was just looking for some opponents I knew (hoped) I wouldn't lose to.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I really did put effort into the Ladder, so I guess, but I also feel bad about dodging quite alot but doesn't matter in the end, everyone in the top48 deserves it.

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1 - ToT)Mondragon(
+ Show Spoiler [ToT.Mondragon] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I was kinda expecting that you need at least A- to finish top 16. So I felt kinda safe with 10.000 points and didnt see any need to play any more games. I don't think that games are especially hard in ladder games since there is not much on stake in a single game there. Hard games will occur later in group stages or in brackets.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
Oh well, I think that is unpredictable. At this level anyone can beat anyone and I cannot really predict any winner.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
Tough to say, anything is dependant on the shape at the day where the groupstage and the brackets take place. So lets see how far I can make it and how much luck I got in the end.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
I did not play Koreans on purpose on this account since in my opinion it is worthless if your only aim is to qualify for top 16 in TSL. If you want to improve and practice besides of reaching top 16 playing Koreans is very interesting of course. But I guess that opinion is up to everyone on his own.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
So far the organisation, format and everything is amazing. Keep up the good work!

2 - Retired_Draco
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Draco] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I decided to play StarCraft again, at least for a while, only because of TSL. That's why it should be obious that I expected myself to make top 16. I didn't really care which place it will be as long as I qualify to the next round. I didn't really have any hard games, I simply played for fun sometimes even with zerg or terran. I also didn't put much effort into my games since these were only meaningless ladder games.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
I haven't thought about that and I'm not even willing to check who took spots between 17 and 48. Whoever qualify will surely deserve it.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
If I wouldn't see myself finishing this tournament on a first place I wouldn't even start to play it and that's not even about fame or proving something to the community. I simply want to sweep the cash.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
I don't really know. I played several koreans but they use to play under smurf ids.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
TSL looks very professional so far and I'm kinda impressed by your job. Keep it going guys, cheers~

4 - MYM.DinOt
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-DinOt] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I didn't expect the coutoff would be A-, I though that the highest rank would be B+. I didn't really expected to make top 16, I was thinking on top 30. My hardest games were versus koreans, especially terrans, even they have bad record they are really strong, and vs non-koreans players my harder opponent was iefnaij.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
IefNaij, Advokate, CAStrO, Legionnaire, Testie, ParanOid, Dreiven, iNfeRnaL, IdrA, ALF, TemujiN, Notforu, ReasoN, Love, ChOseN and EX. They are not in order.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
I think if I put effort on this I can get top 8, but obviusly I wanna win this.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Im not sure if Clide[WHITE] is progamer or something closer, but he's the strongest zerg I have ever played, he did no mistakes.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Nothing to say, everthing was and will be very good.

5 - ToT)XiaOzI(
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.XiaOzI] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I didn't expect the cutoff would be this high, I thought B+ was enough. I'm sure I can make it on top 16. Three games vs handy were really hard, I didn't really know what to do win the game.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
Everyone has chance to qualify, it really depends on the perfermance on the play day.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
I think I can make it to top 4. And of course , I wanna win this tourney.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
I played some Koreans, don't know if they are pros or not, but they are really good.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
This is the best online tourney ever, but it just takes too long.

7 - MYM.Strelok
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Strelok] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I expected it even higher. There were lot of statsers which always made A, A+, when their level is B+ maximum. I even was scared that i won't qualify, cause i never was statser... But well, this time i dodged some koreans too..

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
I'm sure Idra will do it. Other don't know, cause very many people will practise hardly to make it.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
My aim is to win it. Any other rezult will be disappointing.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
On B/B+ i played very few koreans and i really don't know who from them are progamers and who are not. People say andromeda999 is Xoxer... I hope he is not, because i got rather easy win on him and legends shouldn't be so beatable...

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Not at all.

8 - )ToT)SquaLL( (
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-David] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
Well, I was not sure how high the cutoff would be since the season wasn't very long. But after the first week i realized it would be high since all the current active players plus some others who were retired and came back, were trying hard to get a spot.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
I can't really tell. There are 6 o 7 guys who I'm sure will qualify coz they always perform well in this kind of tourneys, but the top16 is hard to say.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
Qualifying for the TSL would be nice, but it will be really tough since there are many players who can make it too.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Yes, I remember playing Kurosagi a couple of games, where he won me pretty easily.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Nothing much to say. Just thank the TSL admin team, for running such a nice event

9 - T.SQD)Kr
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-KR] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
thx, well yes, i thought that top 16 will be at least A-. i knew i could make top48, but wasnt sure about top16. i guess i woudnt have taken that if all the best europeans would have had played massively in TSL. But im really happy for making it into top 16. yea definetly i had some hard games, i guess the hardest ones was draco.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
im really happy for qualifieing to round 2. and i would really like to pass the group stage

Anyone of this 48 can make it into top16 i think. one of them is going to be mondragon , so only 15 spots left

i also think that strelok should make it far.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
i want to win it ! :D but i would be very happy if i can be in top16 overall

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
i am not sure. during the tsl i have played many koreans i guess, but i dont know if any of them were a progamer

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
everything is just awesome. the best thing is that anyone can be a part of this. tsl gives much motivation to play.

10 - Excello.IefNaij
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-IefNaij] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I really did not expect this many players at such high ranks. I thought mid B+ was enough to qualify for top 16 in the beginning of the season, considering the amount of korean pros/semi-pros playing. And yes, I definitely had MANY hard games, but mostly vs the koreans, especially during my 30 game losing streak. (not really a streak, but many games in one day)

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
Hmm..I'm pretty sure IdrA will easily make it considering that he's mass gaming vs pros now ;;. I dunno about others, hard to say!

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
As far as possible ;]

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
I can almost guarantee I've played at least one.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
I think TL is doing a really good job managing TSL. Everything is running smoothly and all the complaints and concerns were dealt with in a very professional manner. Very nice.

11 - Excello.NonY
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-NonY] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
Yes. Yes. Yes.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
Out of respect, no.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
I think I'll make it very far. I'm playing to win.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Yes. I'm planning to play many more between now and TSL.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
The hard work of the staff is appreciated. The format is fair and has been a great success so far.

12 - MYM.White-Ra
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-White-Ra] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
I knew that I shall get in top-16, all games not be easy but hardes play vs korean ^^

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
Advo, ex, reason, paranoid, notforu, dreiven, idra , chosen, artosis I think we see in round 2

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
Much will depend on a tournament grid but i try go too top-3

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Probably I have played most of all games with korean in TSL

, all games with them very hard.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Its best system when WCG ^^

13 - hanniGan
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-hanniGan] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
Thanks! I knew, that I shall in Top48 precisely, but toward the end ladder races I have played many games, as have given me a place in Top16 the best. Vs Mistrzzz was hard games.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
alf, paranoid, temujin, dreiven, notforu, redeemer, kwak, dunaj, reason, chosen, slider, handy, infernal, legionaire, Idra, castro

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
I think I can leave group and get in playoff

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
no i didnt play vs korean pro. only vs amauters.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
ladder stage and qualification format very good. no need change

14 - ret[Media]
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.Dezmund] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
Few days before the ladder ended I reached A- and thought I would be safe, then towards the end a lot of people started mass gaming and reached A-, with just a few wins seperating most of the top16. I figured A- would be the cutoff point, but I didn't think there would be so many ppl low A-'s or high B+'s. I didn't expect to make top16, I only made it because I mainly faced zerg opponents towards the end as my zvp and zvt are weak.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
No predictions, anything could happen in a best of 3 and all of these guys are really skilled. I do think that Mondragon will win the whole thing, just because of his awesome ZvP. There's so many protoss players in the top48! Perhaps Idra has a shot too, if he improves a lot while he's with Estro, since the finals aren't for a few more weeks, that should work in his advantadge.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
If I make it to the final stage of the tournament, I'd be really happy. If I face Zerg opponents all the way to the final, I could win it. But this won't happen, I'll have to improve my ZvP especially if I want to get far. So right now, I'd be surprised if I make it past the 2nd qualifiers, as I will most likely be paired up with at least 2 tosses. (one being Yayba)

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
I played maybe 1 or 2 progamers, I mostly decided to not play against koreans with good records because I don't stand a chance vs them and it's like throwing away points. I did however play Skew[Media], and he is godly. It's like playing Flash, if you wanna count that.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Nice format, well done.

15 - ToT)ClouD(
+ Show Spoiler [ToT.ClouD] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
It was really surprising the rank to make it into top 16 was so high at the end. I expected it to be like in the low B+ range, but well it has to be said there was a lot of dodge involved in the latest part of the tournament, so I'd say there's an huge skill gap between top 16 and the common A- korean player you can find on ICCup nowadays. Didn't expect to make it into the top 16 really, since the start of TSL I've been doing quite bad and couldn't reach top 16 for the whole season as far as I remember, so I consider myself very lucky to have accomplished this. Last games were very hard, especially my 50 minutes PvP against a korean and the game right after, a 40 minutes PvT against RoX.Brat_ok. I enjoyed the ladder stage a lot, it was an awesome experience.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
My prediction is: Mondragon, Draco, Strelok, Nony, White-ra, Mistrzzz, Alf, Iefnaij, Castro, Idra, Infernal, Paranoid, Love, Haypro, Notforu, Artosis.

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
Well my goal is first place of course, although I'm pretty sure I have no chance to reach it. I'll try my best for that though. I still have to see who else I got in my group besides Draco, but since I probably can't beat him my chance of participating in TSL final tourney are really slim.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Yea I played many koreans, especially in mid season for practice, I guess some of them were progamers too. What makes them so much better than us (protoss-wise) is a very good knowledge of the maps and builds. I don't think there's an huge skill gap in macro or micro, it's just that they know the game far better, because they play more and because Starcraft has a big role in their everyday life.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
Everything was perfect. Abusers were punished and only people who put a very good effort into the ladder could make it into top 48. I'm happy with this, thanks to Manifesto7, Hot_Bid and every TSL/ICCup admins for the awesome job. Keep this up.

16 - LRM)MIStrZZZLegenD
+ Show Spoiler [azureMIStrZZZ] +

1. Congratulations on making the top 16. Did you expect the cutoff would be this high? Did you expect to make Top 16, and did you have any hard games?
Nope, I didn't expect that foreigners will do so good in this ladder. Yes I was sure of top 16, anyway it was harder than I thought it would be. It was probably much harder because I played mostly koreans unlikely other TSL players so I had harder times to get my rank. But then I think I'm much better prepared for the tournament than others.

2. You are automatically qualified for the Round 2 of the qualifiers. #17-#48, however, will have to play for a spot in that round. Any predictions on which 16 should come out on top of those 48? 
IdrA > Dashwriter
Testie > Dunaj
Skew > Leg
Alf > spx
Temujin < sky (if sky is whistler, coz Im not sure about his rn)
Handy < Rondo
Dreiven > Ex
Notforu > LzGamer
Infernal > octzerg
Castro > ZpuX
SLider > Artosis
Tarson < Chosen
RedeemeR < Advokate
Kwak < Machine
Reason > Haypro
Paranoid < Love

 3. Being in the top 16, you have already proven you possess a lot of skill. How far do you think you will be able to make it in the TSL? How far do you want to make it? 
I think that I can make it to the grand final. I want to win this tournament.

 4. Due to the high ranking achieved, a lot of TSL players had the chance to play against some Korean progamers? Did this happen to you too? 
Yea, I owned SlayerS_`BoxeR` and few other semipros, they were pretty noobs.

 5. Any more remarks on the Ladder stage or the general qualification format? 
It's perfect, I'm happy that admins aren't from GG.net crew, coz if that would happen - the tour would never be so successful.

17 - Skew[Media] 
+ Show Spoiler [BoXeRz] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Wellllll I was top 16 when I went to sleep about 5 am... I guess IefNaij had a complaint or something that put him into my spot and dropped me to #17. I was going to try to secure another two wins but there was mostly Koreans on then and I was so fucking tired I could barely keep my eyes open. Figured better to just sit on it. Had most of the top guys not dodged horribly I'd of made it I think, but that's the nature of ladder qualifiers. I was at a time higher than I finished, but I donated points to some Korean playing an offrace.. unfortunately I pissed him off and he went to his main race for a couple games, LOL, biggest mistake of my TSL career.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Not so much, lmao. I've been going to bed at 10pm'ish, so staying up to 5am going 100% at a few Koreans and TvTs with foreigners isn't my idea of exciting... more like sickening ;p 14CC lost me a few games in the end there (DUH), fucking build is like crack.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Nazgul *should* have made it, but he didn't know the new map pool; I tried to help him a little with PvT builds but there wasn't much time left. Surprisingly he macros as good as other top foreign protoss, but his decision making and builds needed more warmup time than they had. That really sucks because he did deserve it, but he didn't cherry pick enough like others, and probably started a little too late in general. He said he'll stay around and practice even though he won't make it though, so that's awesome. Machine is the only other person I'll mention, just because IMO he deserved top 48... I've played people worse than him that made it, so I don't know. I LOVE YOU BRYCE T_T; There's a lot of others but they just didn't put in the effort, so that's that.

4. Your opponent next round will be Legionnaire on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Maps are all about equal to me. It's Leg right now, but I think he has a complaint which will switch his place with spx. So I don't really know. If I had to lose to someone where I wouldn't want to kill puppies, it would be leg, naz or a teammate. It'll come down to how well his speed reaver micro is and if I can not have the worst built base in the entire history of SC to defend vs them (legos traumatized me at a young age). I'd much rather play some known zerg or macro protoss than deal with his reavers.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
The technical ability to beat opponents has never, ever, and never will be, my problem.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
I don't know some of the players, but the ones I do know (I'll only mention the winners, not their opponents): EX, Notforu, Artosis, Reason, Paranoid, Infernal (if he doesn't die from weed overdose first), Idra, Redeemer, Tarson, and G5. The others are on smurfs I think or I'd take a shot.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I jewed IdrA, beat Tarson, Rondo, Chinese terran (Riko85 or something), Reason and some other guys. Tried to get a game vs Xiaozi or someone else, but they all made up bullshit excuses to dodge me. Credit to BRAT_OK and Slider for not being pussies and going for it, and winning.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
It's a very thin line you have to walk at A- in this. The Koreans there are above foreigners, some HUGELY above, but the foreigners dodge, so you end up having to play a rank or two below, which turns into a straight-up all-in fest. Luckily I pulled out a couple wins vs some good Koreans in the end and was able to overcome the lack of games from folks dodging, but it didn't end up being enough.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Fuck that, as one of the only real terrans in the top 48, I deserve the ripest, most delicious grapes picked from golden trees of the everglade fed to me from the most beautiful goddesses of the world, a fukn medieval style castle for my terran self to sleep in, at least trillions of dollars, three G550s, and the ability to /tranfer_terran_skills_to_protoss so i can win everything at half the effort, heehEHehh.

19 - Excello.CaStrO
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-CaStrO] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Well, I'm mad at myself cause the last 4 days I haven't play with my TSL-Castro account,
I was training my tecnics at smurf, but I'm happy to be in the top 48.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
I never had inconvinient to get top 48, I even have been in top 16, but I couldn't stay there.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Lots of players sorprised me, but I dont wanna say who. I belive the ones that got in the top 16
make more effort than we below them.

4. Your opponent next round will be ZpuX on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I've been training all the three maps, I'm have confidence in wining the Bo3

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I dont know where I can get, but I'm gonna give the best.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
No comments. o,O

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I didn't play the last games, I was with 9200 points and I though no one else will get there,
at the end I was sorprised knowing that lots of players were better than me.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Like I said I didn't use my TSL-Castro account in the last 3 or 4 days.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I belive that everyone that got to top 48 deserve to be there, the players that didn't got there,
didn't effort enough.

thx for interview

20 - IdrA[Media]
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.IdrA] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Disappointed I'm not in the top 16, everyone above B dodged so I had to play alot of low ranked players to get enough points, and the last one before I made it gayed me.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
More annoying than exciting, as I said i was having trouble getting games to try for top 16.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Theres a few people in the top 100 I would have expected to make it but didn't; gohan, day, sen, and it woulda been nice to see eri/naz make it. Kinda sucks that some newb bashers like octzerg and a bunch of others took spots from legit players.

4. Your opponent next round will be Dashwriter on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Hes one of the players who dodged (avoided me at least) to get in, I'll win 2-0.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I expect to win it.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
IdrA > Dashwriter
Testie > Dunaj
Skew > Leg
Alf > spx
Temujin > sky
Handy < Rondo
Dreiven > EX
Notforu < LzGamer
Infernal > octzerg
Castro > ZpuX
SLider < Artosis
Tarson < Chosen
Redeemer > Advo
Kwak < Machine
Reason > Haypro
Paranoid > Love

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Nah there wasn't any question that I would qualify.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played quite a bit in the last 2 days, I realized the ro48 qualifiers are in the middle of the night for me and decided to try to get a spot in top 16, didn't work out though. Luckily the TSL admins were nice enough to allow me to play my match a bit earlier.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Yes

21 - LG)HanDy
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.Handy] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Well.. Im happy to be inside the 48, but I also would like to be in top 16... But anyway, its ok for me.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
In the last hrs, everyone start to play, so I got more motivation, and this made me take every game as it was a final series game.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
No, the ranking is fair enough with every player.

4. Your opponent next round will be Rondo on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I put this as an obligation. Is a must for me to win this series. Im very confident to win in Longinus and Blue Storm, but I don´t want to play in Zodiac in the first game

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I would like to be into the top 3. I will give my best try.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
CASTRO, Idra[Media], ReasoN[saM], 3D.Notforu and I dont know anymore.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I was a bit nervous but it wasn´t thrilling at all. xD

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
That days were very intesive for me.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Im happy with my position and proud to get the next round.

23 - 3D.TemujiN
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-TemujiN] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Yes i m disappointed a bit , because i could do Top16 , if began to massgaming a bit earlier . But top 48 is ok too.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
TSL Ladder is best thing ever.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
No , i think , all players that deserved spot in it , are there.

4. Your opponent next round will be [check Teamliquid thread] on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I don't care which maps i ll play pvz , all are ok for me .

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
We will see , its all depends on luck and motivation .

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
It will be too long list.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
My last games were against ALF and Draco , and if i would have won them , i qualified in top16 .But i lost

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played a lot @ icCup

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Yes, i deserved this spot

25 - RedeemeR[Media] 
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-RedeeemeR] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
No. I played mostly koreans in this ladder and I didnt care what their record was until the last couple days. For survival purposes, I HAD to start caring then otherwise I wouldn't be qualified at the moment or I would have another 50 games crammed into a day! I'm happy to be qualified but I think the reason stated is why you don't see me any higher, that is part of it anyways

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
I was 23rd or so when I stopped the night before and ended 25th so no worries!

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Many. Players like LG)Handy, Ultraling, Kwak and Zpux shocked me. Having seen very little from them in the past I would never have guessed they would survive a grueling ladder like this one and come out on top whereas players like Testie, ZelitiTO, Gurram and others couldn't qualify. I am also surprised at the level of play some of these players exhibited like Dinot doing so well. The surprises are sure to continue to come.

4. Your opponent next round will be Advokate on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Advokate is a tough opponent. He won TLT2 over a former professional Assem and has since then maintained his winning ways both online and offline in big events. I am definately getting a raw deal hitting a guy who is a threat to win in every tourney he qualifies for. That being said, I was able to play him in a bo3 this season on the TSL ladder and I did win 2-1.. and imo, should have won 3-0 but i let a game slip. I am a dangerous opponent for anyone. Not overwhelmingly good or powerful but I feel that I play a brand of BW that is unpredictable and intelligent. I like my odds on bluestorm where I train with the likes of IdrA, Artosis, Assem and some others and almost never lose. I feel very strong there. Longinus is a fine map but I think of all 3 it is definately my weakest. I will try some explosive tactics there but I expect that map to be my hardest. Zodiac is a fun map that I feel will be great for a certain style I play (wont go into too much detail) that fits that map nicely. Of all 3 mu's I think my ZvT is my most solid as I train with terrans almost exclusively. If I ever had a chance at winning some money in this I was going to have to face a champion level gamer like Advokate, why not do it now?

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
If I get past the first round I feel like I could go far. The bo3 format, group play and double elimination all means that there will be no or very little cheap victories. I feel like I am strongest in a bo3 or in a series where I can know my opponent and the maps ahead of time. That is all built into the format here. That being said given my level of play and my style I am a dangerous but volatile gamer. I can win events, go far and crash big names or I can burn out and get smashed in the preliminary stages. I hope for the first option! And I will do everything I can to prepare to appease myself!

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
I think the media terrans Artosis/IdrA will win their match and the honorary Media member Lzgamer will sadly drop to his opponent. He's a great player but I think he may be overwhelmed with that matchup. Hopefully I will be there to join my brethren making it 5 medias in round 2! (Machine pending)

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I was lucky to find a player who both wanted to play a bunch and also was, probably not on my level on that particular mu/map. That series pushed me into the safe region of knowing I qualified. Since I was not willing to risk a push at the top 16 and also I wasn't close to the bottom I felt comfortable enough to sit and late fate dictate my opponent.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I missed 10 days of this ladder due to out of town travels. When I got back I had some insane gaming hours logged. The last 2 days especially I played probably 50 games or so and all of them were at the B+/B level with a mix of top notch non koreans and solid korean gamers. I would be as high as 8700 and then hit a bad streak and be as low as 7300, all in the last couple days. I NEVER get emotional over a game but for this ladder I have several cuts on my hand from pounding my desk after a frustrating loss and several unplanned trips to the gym to blow off steam. This event definately got me emotionally involved.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Absolutely. The top 48 is comprised of a mix of clearly the most talented and a bunch of the hardest working (with a mix of the two as well!). I am not the most talented but I work hard at this game, I study my opponents and I learn from mistakes. I deserve to be amongst these gamers and like the rest of them, try and distinguish myself apart from them.

26 - iG.Slider
+ Show Spoiler [iG.Slider] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I was quite dissapointed about not being inside top16 cuz in the last week I was in it, in the last days I even was in top10 or more. But in the last games i wanted to go higher and I lost some games.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Yes of course it was very exciting for me cuz I wanted to jump into top16.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Hmm. I think that all players who deserve for spot in top16 or top48 are there!

4. Your opponent next round will be Artosis on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
My opponent will be Artosis. These maps isnt so good in this match up this is for sure. Hmm mb zodiac is ok cuz It isnt so popular map but the others are sux. Can I handle it? Time will tell!

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
Hmm It's tough question. We'll see. But I will happy if I make the final 16.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
Hmm It's hard to say. All these players are good and everyone can win with the others

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
My last games were very thrilling. As i said I fighted for top16 to the last minute

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played a lot really. Just look at my record, it's over 380 TSL games. I had to play alot cuz I was inactive. I didnt play so intensive for 2 years.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Absolutely. I spend a lot of my time to play these all games. I just work hard to do it and I thinik I deserve it.
Thx for support my friends and GL to everyone. Especially Polish players.

27 - BVG.Tarson
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Tarson] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
When I started playing the last day of ladder i was 17th and really want to make top16 but unfortunately i lost 1000 points and wans't event top48, so yap I'm happy to be in top48, it was really hard to get itlast day

.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Last hours of TSL Ladder were not exciting for me but a bit nervous, because of my stupid lose so many points. Luckily i made it.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
The biggest suprise was that MistrZZZ was only 15 and barely made top16 ;] I'm also suprised about Horror that he out of top48.

4. Your opponent next round will be Chosen on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Winning my bo3 is preety weird ;] when I play importanat games i play really afwul. I want make it fast 2-0 and starts to prepare to next round

maps fit to me so i think it will be OK ;]

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
don't expect anything.I will do my best to win my matches and we will see how far i would go.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
No predictions ;] I just wish all Poles wins their matches ^_^.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Hehe ye my last games were very thrilling. I fight to last minute of ladder to be top48. To be honest i don't really think what was i playing, I just want win the game no matter how.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Last 2 days I play really intense, expecially last day when i almost fall from A- to B

.Now I'm top48 and got only one aim: win the 1st round and go to 2nd.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I spend lot om my free time playing TSL. There are many good players who don't quailify to 1st round. I don't feel sorry about them. I work hard for my spot and I deserve it.

28 - 3D. Notforu
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.Notforu] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Hi, im quite happy to enter top48

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Last hours was really hard, cuz i didnt know if i can get top48. I tried hard, but europeans didnt want to play =(. So i much sucked to koreans =)

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
No surprises for me =).

4. Your opponent next round will be [check Teamliquid thread] on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I really can say nothing about round 1 quali. All i can sayt that i will play hard.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I hope i can get to 2nd quali.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
Dunno all players are very skillful. Everyone can do it.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Some games was, some not. All i worried its about one game which i won but bw crashed and i get loss, but administration removed this cuz my opponent supposed in hacking.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played about 20-30 games and was going up and down around 8500 pts. No progress.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
If i had 8500 pts so i think i can take a slot in tourney =)

30 - LRM)Reason
+ Show Spoiler [Player] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
yes, cause i could get top 16 2times... i got A- rank and i just needed more 1 win but i lost in both ocasion and started loosing more games, then i gave up cause i had no time anymore...

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
when i got A- and i was trying to win just more 1 game to get top 16

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
No

4. Your opponent next round will be [check Teamliquid thread] on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
i have no idea since i was inactive since now, i just came back to play this league, and im using only offraces for fun, so lets see whats going to happen

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
how far be possible

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
no idea

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
no idea (sorry my english isnt so good :D )

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
like 20games per day? i think so

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
of course, why not? :D

32 - ToT)GOsia
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-ParanOid] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Im obviously not disappointed. I really didnt care about making it to the top16. Just in case I'm close I'll play some games to get into it. I was like 'I'll have bonus gg.net match in case I finish in the top48' haha.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Rather boring, everyone was dodging so I couldnt find any game to rank up.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Not really, the suprising players kept dodging everyone so they went high with good rank/stats.

4. Your opponent next round will be [check Teamliquid thread] on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I dont expect to win, Longinus is the worst possible map for me, and blue storm is rather t>z. I do never feel confident before the match. I dont really care about that match, just want to have fun. Obviously I wont practice like a mad man, if I'm better I'll show it, few friendly games wont make me play better in the last 5 remaining days.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
Depends on my motivation, I was lacking at it while ladder was run. Now I hope to do my best just that, obviously I don expect to make it to the top8 though. I just want to have some fun, money factor doesnt interest me, I just know I'm not capable of getting any top place.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
The better players from each pair.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
In almost every question the answer is same, but its kinda like I'd excuse myself for lossing so many games. I dont really care about ladder games, I didnt play my best during that ladder just some fun strategies, build orders. When I had to win I did. I went on some good win streak in the end, and trust me I'm capable of playing better than in the ladder session.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Dont really know, few games a day. I do play better when I'm not that active. I'm a type of a person that gets bored quite easy. When I play more than 5 games a day I lose my motivation, cant focus on a game and I usually suffer the consequences of that lossing everything later on.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Some of them really deserved to be in the next stage, tho I'd ban some of the players that abused right before the ladder end and are qualified to the next stage.

33 - FT.aCt)Love
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Love] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
im happy to make top48

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
i lost lots of games in last hours

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
no

4. Your opponent next round will be ParanOid on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Yes all of them

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
top4

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
no

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
not really

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
very much. all of games lost though -_-

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
yes

35 - HayprO
+ Show Spoiler [HayprO[DotA] +

]1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I was planning on going for the top16 but I just didnt have the time for it, studying and dota took up too much, but Im still happy I got into top 48.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
I was a bit afraid that I wouldnt make it, but yeah it exciting following the last hours.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Some of the players there I didnt expect to see but I think most of the ones who should be there did make it.

4. Your opponent next round will be Reason on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I was told reason is gonna play toss and thats according to me my worst mu, zvp that is. And longinus in the map pool doesnt really help being very hard zvp, but I still hope to advance to the 2nd part of this.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I really want to get into top16 but Ive gotten worse than I used to be cuz of not being able to play cws and playing lots of dota. If everything works out I can see myself in the starleague

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
Its too hard to predict, I rather not.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I played only 2 games the last 1-2 days I think, cuz there was lots of dodging and I didnt have lots of time.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Already answered

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I feel sorry for the ones who fell on the line but I think I do deserve my spot.

36 - Machine[Media]
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Machine] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I am happy making it to the top 48. I finnaly have made a big accomplishment in the forginer SC scene. It's also nice to know that I dident just waste 3 weeks of my life for nothing

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
I boosted up my rank to 8409 a day before the ladder was to close, I took the advise of my teammates Artosis and Redeemer and they told me that they dident expect top 48 to go past 8400 just around their, how right they were!!
The last 30 minutes was especially nerve racking because i had been watching the ladder for hours and then I was forced to go to school not knowing if i had made it or not. I recieved a very dissapointing phone call from Geoff "Redeemer[Media]" but later on that day I found out UltraLing and G5 "my best friend" were banned for abusing. I was a bit relieved but very sad to see my friend not qualify.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Not as many as i would have thought, obviously the likes of Mondragon White-ra Idra Cloud Gosia etc.. were expected. I guess if their was one name I an surprised about it would be LEG!!! Very nice to see him back in the competitive scene again.

4. Your opponent next round will be KwaK on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Truthfully vs Kwak's Macro style it truely will be a hard set of games, I guess the maps I am not so shure about would be Longinus "because if p gets duel gas base you might as well type out" and Zodiac because I rarely played the map ever. I feel very confident on Bluestorm because of how the games usually start out, cookie cutter zvp so their isnt much surprises their.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
I have 0 clue, I would like to go very far, maby even top 8 but their are definitly better players than me here so that would require some luck.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
IdrA > Dashwriter
Skew > Legionnaire
ALF < spx
Sky > Temujin
Rondo > HanDy
EX > Dreiven
Notforu < LzGaMeR
Infernal < OctZerg
Castro < ZpuX
Artosis > Slider
Chosen > Tarson
RedeemeR > Advokate
Machine > KwaK
HayprO > ReasoN
ParanOid > Love

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
As i said their was much controversy at the end and I somehow managed to stay on top, my last games were vs nazgul and they were very thrilling.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
The 2nd to last day I played a ton but did not play much the last day at all.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I think I have worked very hard to get here so I do believe I deserve the spot.

37 - NaW-LzGaMeR
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-LzGaMeR] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Yes im very happy i made Top48, i dont think top16 was ever in my reach.. considering i played koreans all 3 weeks

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
The night before end (about 8 hours till end) was the stressful part considering i lost my B+ rank.. and knew i had to step up and win games(during korean hours). During the end i felt safe at 8497 so i was pritty calm about it

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
It surely Contains a Few ppl i never heard of.. or expected to see ~

4. Your opponent next round will be Notforu on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
hmm Not4u is an amazing zerg gamer. i will try my best to win this its going to be real tough. i feel most confident on bluestorm and longinus not much experiance on zodiac. i think i will win 2-1 going to but some confidence and faith in myself

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
Who knows so Many GREAT gamers in this.. im taking TSL one step at a time

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
IdrA 2-0 Dashwriter
Testie 2-0 Dunaj
Skew 2-1 Leg
Alf 2-0 spx
Temujin 2-0 sky
Handy 0-2 Rondo
Dreiven 0-2 EX
Notforu 1-2 LzGamer
Infernal 2-0 octzerg
Castro 1-2 ZpuX
SLider 1-2 Artosis
Tarson 1-2 Chosen
Redeemer 2-1 Advo
Kwak 0-2 Machine
Reason 2-1 Haypro
Paranoid 1-2 Love

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Yes my last game was vs. B rank korean protoss.. who couldnt fend off my flow of hydra ^_^

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played probably 15+ hours the last 2 days Grinding^^

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I think I have earned everything I have got in brood war. I Deserved my spot in top 48

39 - Artosis[Media] 
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Artosis] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Because I was manly and played Koreans, I guess top 16 might have been beyond my reach. I don't really mind not being top 16 and am relieved to be in the top 48.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
They weren't too exciting. More stressful watching to see how many people would abuse in and perhaps jeopardize my rank.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Yeah it does. Because of friend bashing and dodging lots of people are higher ranks than their skill would normally allow.

4. Your opponent next round will be iG.Slider on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I think I should win vs Slider. I don't really know what the score will be but I will try for 2-0.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
It's hard to say and I don't wanna sound cocky, but I think I can get really far.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
IdrA > Dashwriter
Skew > Legionnaire
ALF > spx
Sky > Temujin
Rondo > HanDy
EX > Dreiven
Notforu > LzGaMeR
Infernal > OctZerg
Castro > ZpuX
Artosis > Slider
Chosen > Tarson
RedeemeR > Advokate
G5 > KwaK
HayprO > ReasoN
ParanOid > Love

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I estimated what would be a safe amount for top 48 and played my last game like 3 days ago, so it was only mildly exciting.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I don't think I played any games in the last 2 days.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Without a doubt I deserve a spot in the top 48.

40 - RoX.Advokate
+ Show Spoiler [advo] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I was very dissapointed about im not being inside top16 , but only until last 4 days , when I was almost out of top48 – these days I became really happy when I finally just jumped in top48.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Exciting but not for me , I was sitting at work last 9 hours of ladder , without any ability to play single game and get few points , while all top20-80 players earned some points and climbed highter and highter. I was on 29 place or something and when ladder finished I was on 39 with around 50 points difference between me nad #49. I was shocked.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
the only surprise is 150-140 players inside top48. +130-75(50,100) points system is bad. Definitely.

4. Your opponent next round will be Redeemer on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
all I can say is these maps I don’t like a lot. But I will try

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
far enough.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
Predictions is not my best , and even more – after I checked draw I cant pick any pair in which thereis clear winner and clear loser.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Watch #2. last hour games could be thrilling for me but……….

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
6-7 games at Sunday. 0 at Monday.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Actually yes.

42 - iG.Sky
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Sky] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
yes im disappointed for not making it into top16 but not very suprised since all the top foreginers participated

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
i was top40 9 hours before the end of the ladder stage was over and didnt think i would have to play more, but 30 min before it ended i realised i had to play 1 more game and win it to qualify since it only was 25min left, so i played my zvz training partner TSL_aCe from germany and managed to win.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
yes im suprised that mistrzzz managed to qualify

4. Your opponent next round will be Temujin on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
i expect to win on longinus and blue storm, a 3rd game wont be necessary

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
top16+

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
no i didnt check whos in top17-48 yet. but i guess the players who is practicing and preparing hardest will since the skill level is pretty even.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
yes my final game was, but i felt i had good control over my last game.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
i played like 100 games that weekend, like i always do o_o

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
looking at the players below me and over me i feel i deserve a spot in the top16^^

43 - OctZerg
+ Show Spoiler [OctZerg] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
Im not really dissapointed because i was busy with my bowling and i got not time for playing ladder till 4-5 days before end. and i make it to top 48 and im happy because of that.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
In the last games of ladder i played really strong players and i got lucky to won some of them.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
Yea i was suprised of top 48 points becuase most of my freinds thinked that 7500 will be enought for top48.

4. Your opponent next round will be Infernal on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Well Infernal its really strong player but i think i got some chance.If i play good on 1st map i think im 60-40 on Blue Storm.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
Well if i got lucky i think i can join top32

)) but thats not the most important.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
I think mondi has the biggest change for winning this but i think that draco will make a nice come back and won this, hope testie get unrusty and show his power. im with those 3 guys.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
Nope, but was so close.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Like i said i played last 4-5 days but last day i played just 4-5 games vs same oppo.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I just think that players who are in deserve it for there spot just i think that Idra can't be pro because even i can beat him....and my zvt D-;; ROFL FOR IDRA~

44 - fuSion.Rondo 
+ Show Spoiler [TSL.Rondo] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
First 2 weeks i was strongly placed in top16 and planned to save this place. However, the strongest players began active gaming, i understood that top16 is unreacheble for me, so i changed my goal to "get in top48"

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Last few hours i was sitting and refreshing TSL rating, in the hope that noone outstrip me. That was truly exciting

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
There are practically no "fortuitous" players in the top48. But top16 has players, which i guess should be on some dozens of lines below. I wouldn't say names,think all are know these anyway.

4. Your opponent next round will be Handy on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
My opponent is LG)HanDy. I hoped it will be zerg or protoss, on the level, coz these maps are more easy for PvZ,PvP, than PvT. But we should be no choosers.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
My goal is prize places. I would have happy if i made it

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
The strongest will be in.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
When the ladder was about to end i had the choice - to play one game, which if i would had win i will provide myself for ~#35 place, but also i could be lose and out of top. So i decided do not risk and i was right.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Last 2 days i played a lot. But i didn't reach any special results. Finally i still stayed at the same place.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
There are not so many players below me, so SURE!

46 - Dashwriter
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Dashwriter] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I'm happy that I made it into the TOP 48. Most of the players are better then I am, so I'm thankful that I qualified.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Really exciting, even if i didn't play the last two days I was around in the channel or checking out the ranking on the ICCUP-Page. I thought I had enough points and it proved luckily to be right.

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
No, not really. Maybe some players are missing, but it is what it is and only 48 slots were given.

4. Your opponent next round will be Idra on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I'm expecting no map to win and will definitely loss 0:2.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
See question #4.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
I don't know how good most of the players are in shape. Even if I would know it, it s hard to make a prediction. If the opponent is not superior better, everything is possible in a Bo 3.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
No they were not, cause I played my last games 2 days before deadline, so at this point i did not know, that these games were the deciding ones.

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Not a single game ;;

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
Yes I do.

47 - TSL.spx
+ Show Spoiler [fuSion.spx] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I'm very happy to be in top 48. Since my mission were to be in top 48 I didn't even think about top 16.

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
Yeah, that was the most exciting hours of the TSL Ladder for me. During last hour i just sitting and put the refresh button of ladder page, coz i was on #44. When the ladder was about 10 minutes to close i saw that i've been kicked out to #49. However, i hadn't enough near 20pts, i decided to play against C+, and after easy win i took my victorious 32 pts exactly at the same time when the ladder ended

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
many oldschool players comeback. that's nice

4. Your opponent next round will be ALF on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
Whichever map we'll play i am fully confident to win.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
Groups will be fine.

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
i don't know

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
nope, last game i played was against C+

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
Since i reached #44 place i almost didn't play the ladder.

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
hell yeah ^_^;;

48 - Legionnaire
+ Show Spoiler [TSL-Leg] +

1. You made the TSL Qualifiers Round 1! Are you disappointed you're not in the top 16 or are you already happy to make the top 48?
I am very happy that i made top 48 -even more so that i went to sleep when i was 39 and i woke up and i was on 48

My goal was never to make the top 16 as i just knew that i didn't have the time (or the skill!).

2. If you barely made it, were the last few hours of the TSL Ladder exciting for you?
I was feeling very confident on sunday as i was in a solid ladder position to finish off for the monday night. But what i (quite stupidly) forgot was that the MOTW's change. So i went from having decent strats on those maps, to a brand new week with new maps that i had no idea how to play. So i was quite worried when i arrived home with 8 hours left and about 400 points to win. So i looked at the situation and saw

1 - There were so many people ranked within the 300 points above and below the cutoff of the 48.
2 - I didn't know any of the maps well.
3 - I needed to win points!
4 - I couldn't find anyone who would play me that i wanted to play (there were some that i didn't want to play). - then there were those that i couldn't play due to the proxy issues.

So from this i changed my strategy. As just a small amount of points actually jumps you up the ladder quite a bit. So instead of spending ages trying (unsuccessfully) to play higher ranked people i just started abusing low rank people to give me the points needed to jump me up.

I ran into one C+ guy who was actually decent, at one point i was losing and i was really worried for a while thinking OMG i'm going to lose 250 points!
Fortunately it worked out and i felt comfortable enough to go to sleep with 2 hours remaining. (i was actually contemplating playing 1 more but decided against it)

I think if smuft had done the same thing he would have made it as well, but he went for the big points and lost thus putting on more pressure, and dropping more. But then again he isn't a wimp like me

3. Does the final ladder ranking contain any surprises to you?
I haven't really studied it much. Most of the big names are there so i guess not

4. Your opponent next round will be Skew on Longinus, Blue Storm and Zodiac. Which maps do you expect to win on? Are you confident on winning the bo3?
I can't check TL from work so i dont know who i'm playing. I think it was a Zerg guy when i looked this morning? I'm not confident on any of the maps, i have no strats at all, the maps are new, and pvz is my worst mu, so i'll have to think something up or watch some reps or soemthing beforehand.

5. How far do you expect to go in the TSL?
If i make top 16 i'll be very happy, but i am not in very good form. My macro, and unit combinations are poor and my builds are outdated. I've just been 2 gating zergs, 1 gate reavering terrans, and 2 gate reavering toss's while taking islands

6. Any predictions on who will make it to the next round?
No.

7. If you look at the Ladder rankings, the ten ranks surrounding barely have 50 points difference with #48. It was really close. Were your last games thrilling?
I was abusing the old, weak and disabled. I feel quite proud of myself.
(this goes in with stuff in response 2)

8. How intensely did you play the last 2 days of the ladder stage?
I played heaps on the weekend as i knew that was the only time i had in which to get myself close. It didn't help when i went 9-11 on sunday in games

9. Looking at the players right below you, do you feel like you deserved your spot in the top #48?
I dont know who is below me. And no.

PS. Mondragon. I'm coming to get you!

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