EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__Gom_Classic_v1n.jpg)
With the first two quarterfinals decided, and the next one being decided Sunday, it's time to look at the results of the last week (check out Tadzio's amazing battle-reports for more in-depth coverage of the games), and what we can expect from the coming matches.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__Gom_Classic_Results_.jpg)
Ro16 - Day 2
Flash vs 
Rock+ Show Spoiler [Results] +
Flash > Rock
Flash > Rock
Flash > Rock
Bisu vs 
HoeJJa+ Show Spoiler [Results] +
Bisu > HoeJJa
Bisu > HoeJJa
Bisu > HoeJJa
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__GOM_Classic_Bracket_.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__GOM_Classic_This_wee.jpg)
So far, the GSL has had some very interesting Ro16's of comparable, if not superior, quality to the other starleagues. This week that has gone up a notch, with two very important and interesting matchups.
The first game is between Kal and Mind. Kal has had a position on the power rank for the last few months now, but has had trouble getting far into individual leagues. Kal is quickly losing his position as a great up-and-comer, and is being replaced by new players who do perform in starleagues. However, it is undeniable that he is still a consistently strong player, especially in TvP.
Mind, on the other hand, has long since lost his reputation as a the next big thing. Having not achieved anything in the previous MSL or OSL, the GOM is Mind's last chance to make something out of this season. However, Mind has had some difficulties with TvP recently, winning only five of his last ten games, and dropping matches to less established players like Movie, Jaehoon, and SangHo.
This match is thus a very important match for both players. Both players need to reach a quarter-final, and possibly even a semi-final again; both players need to prove that they are still up there with the strongest players in the game. Unfortunately for Mind, the odds are stacked against him. The first two games will be played on Medusa and Neo-Requiem, two maps which have a terrible TvP balance (6-17 and 11-32 respectively), and only Sin Chupung-Ryeong offers a better chance for Mind, being 3-0. However, it is uncertain whether the Terran edge on Sin Chupung-Ryeong is due to the fixed balance of Chupung-Ryeong (which was 10-19 TvP), or simply the result of a lack of stats.
Looking at it then, Mind seems to be at danger of dropping out early again this GSL. However, if there is one Terran player that has the creativity and strategy to fight against the odds of a map, it is Mind. Mind stormed his way to an MSL win by beating sAviOr on old Blue Storm twice, a map with a similarly bad balance, and hopefully he can do the same thing here.
The second match of the day is will determind who plays against the winner of the first match in the quarter-finals. KTF's Neo-Reach, Tempest, is taking on the micro beast Free. Where the previous match of the day is characterized by two quality players who have had a bit of a rough time recently, this match is characterized by two players who have both done really well recently, trying to continue their streaks. Free blasted his way to the MSL semi-finals this season, losing only to the eventual winner in a tense 3-1 match, while Tempest came out of nowhere to make it to the Ro16 of the same MSL.
More recently, both Tempest and Free have taken down big Zerg players in GOM with Tempest beating defending champion Jaedong, and Free beating everyone's favourite, sAviOr. Tempest's problem, and also his greatest weapon, can be seen through these statistics however: he is untested in PvP. In the Clubday MSL, Tempest beat fantasy and Ruby to qualify for the Ro16 where he eventually lost to Firebathero. To reach the Ro16 in the GSL, Tempest has beaten XellOs and Jeadong. The only evidence we have of Tempest's PvP skill is from a few results in the Proleague, results which make it impossible to judge his strength. Tempest beat BeSt in the last PvP he played (a fantastic game), but before that he lost to Zues and Pure.
In contrast, Pretty's form is fairly straightforward. After a fairly long losing streak in the match-up, Free has recently beaten TT, Bisu (once in their Bo5, and once again in the proleague), and BeSt. Free is in good form in this match-up, and he is well practised. It will be difficult for Tempest to break him.
The game I'm looking forward to the most is the second game on Medusa. While the map has generally not delivered the most interesting PvPs, Tempest's game against BeSt on Medusa demonstrated how aggressive play on PvP may benefit the aggressor, while Pretty has shown that he isn't scared of playing a straight-up match either, especially as this allows his dragoon micro to shine. It will be fascinating to see which Protoss player can best exploit the position of the naturals on the map.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__GOM_Classic_Communit.jpg)
Thanks to lilsusie we have some amazing new interviews this week. The first interview is with the little monster , Flash, followed by everyone's favourite ninja toss, Bisu; and finally we have an interview with one of the legends of Protoss, GARIMTO. Click on the button below to watch those.
No new players are open to questions, but I'll keep the link up in case it gets updated before the matches.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__GOM_Classic_Intervie.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Daigomi/Banner__GOM_Classic_Question.jpg)
An that's that for this week. I think we can all congratulate GOM on still delivering quality matches week after week. I loved watching GOM last season, and this season has improved on last season a ten-fold, with the potential for an absolutely amazing line-up for the final 8. If only we could have a few Zerg players...
Until next week!
![[image loading]](/staff/SonuvBob/brackets/gom_bracket_fixed.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5951/nozergax9.jpg)
