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![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__Gom_Classic_v1e.jpg)
That's right people, the GomTV Intel/Avaratec Classic (which I will be referring to as the GSL from now on) is finally back after the great success of the first season. With over $100,000 at stake, and large cash prizes available for everyone up to the top eight, GomTV has done what it does best by combining great initiative with a love for the game to bring us a wonderful new season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOMT84mA9fU
Those who didn't follow last season might be wondering why I am so excited about a new season, so I'll give you my reasons. Firstly, it's a new, young starleague that shows to be organized and controlled as well as the MSL and the OSL. Secondly, the GSL does not have as strict a qualifying policy, so there's no longer groups of eight of which only one person can go through. If you have your eye on a young player, or would like to see some of the older guys making a comeback, then the GSL is the place to be. Players like
by.great (now known as Hades), HuskaL, 
Shuttle and Violet all made a name for themselves in the previous GSL, while YellOw showed that the old players can still take down some of the top players.A final, and perhaps the most important, reason why I like the GSL is GomTV's dedication to the foreign community. Time and time again they've shown that they are willing to invest in the foreign community, and with the GSL they've gone the extra mile by getting the Storm Observer himself to live and cast in Korea. Nowhere else can you get to see the greatest SC players in the world fighting it out with Tasteless in the commentary box. Added to this we'll now have our very own
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/images/usericons/tlnet_staff.gif)
lilsusie in the box with Tasteless, helping out with some Korean translations. Susie has asked me to make it very clear that she won't be commentating, but simply helping with the prematch talks and translations, but it's definitely something to look out for.The maps this season are a combination the most interesting new maps and that maps that have been tested. Games one and two in the Bo3 will be played on Colosseum and Andromeda, while the third game will be played on one of the four new proleague maps: Destination, Chupung Ryeong, Medusa, and the Sword in the Moon. You've all seen Destination and Medusa, so let's look at the other two maps:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/210.jpg)
Chupung Ryeong is a very exciting new map, consisting of multiple vertical routes. What makes the map so interesting is the length of these routes, allowing for an almost Monty Hall-esque form of to-and-fro play. Also interesting is the difficulty in taking a third base. The idea of the maps seems to be that it's easier to attack than to defend, allowing for many counter-attacks and a very fast-paced form of play.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/4f093.jpg)
Sword in the Moon is another map based on dangerous bases and aggressive play. Similar to Othello in its base positions and themes, the map promises to keep games interesting and strategic. The biggest improvement, for me, over Othello is the middle of the map. The middle is now a strategic position that can be held on to, but it doesn't dominate the map. This is different from Othello where the middle was always a liability.
+ Show Spoiler [Old Maps] +
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/4ColosseumII192.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/2Destination10.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/3Medusa10.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/I_OSL_Group_1/4Andromeda10.jpg)
+ Show Spoiler [Bracket A] +
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/pachi/gsi/GOM_A.png)
The format is, perhaps slightly confusing at first, but easy once you get it. There are 32 groups, each group has one seeded player in it with the 32 seeds determined by KeSPA rankings. The players in each group play it out in a Bo3 elimination tournament until the winner of each group plays against the group seed. For example, in Group 1, the first match is between Hobbang and M18M. The winner plays against Bul_T, while at the same time Special plays against Study. The winners of these matches play against eachother, and the winner of this match plays against Flash to progress to the next group.
+ Show Spoiler [Bracket B] +
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/pachi/gsi/GOM_B.png)
In the beautiful brackets made by pachi the matches that will be broadcast from the Ro256 are highlighted. The highlight key is:
Pink - Day 1 Broadcast, Sun 21/09 18:00 KST
Red - Day 2 Broadcast, Tue 23/09 18:00 KST
Yellow - Day 3 Broadcast, Sun 28/09 18:00 KST
Green - Day 4 Broadcast, Thu 02/10 13:00 KST
Red - Day 2 Broadcast, Tue 23/09 18:00 KST
Yellow - Day 3 Broadcast, Sun 28/09 18:00 KST
Green - Day 4 Broadcast, Thu 02/10 13:00 KST
Using the highlight key, we can thus see that on the first day the matches will be:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/img_pro3.jpg)
A final reason to watch the GSL Season 2 is the inclusion of two new teams. This season, the only teams still not participating are MBCGame HERO, OnGameNet SPARKYZ, and eSTRO. That means that both SKT, and ACE will be participating this season, so you get to see your favourite players like Best and Boxer duking it out, as well as the new ACE recruits like Reach and Anytime.
So, I hope you're all excited for the second season of the GomTV Intel/Avaratec Classic! They put a lot of effort into bringing English Starcraft to the community, and we can repay them by showing them our full support. Of all the Starleagues last season, I personally enjoyed the GSL the most, and before the GSL that I enjoyed the GSI tremendously. So show your support for Tasteless and the rest of the Gom crew, and follow this fabulous Starleague. With 180 players at the start, some brand new names (including Idra), some old boys, and some giants of Starcraft, there's no telling what could happen.
The first match is on Sunday at 18:00 KST and will be broadcast live from the GomTV website, so don't miss it!
). Season 1 was awesome in every aspect. It is nice to see GSL be a little more advertised.
