The OSL has finally arrived with a star studded and uncommonly manly line up to boot! We have the undisputed greatest Zerg player of all time against the once dominant gorilla Terran. A couple of strong TvZ/TvT terrans squaring off, as well as a midas-esque Zerg choke artist against the powerhouse bird toss. We’re also treated to seeing Iris play something other than TvT against some player... I think he plays Protoss. Obviously not of note among these other super stars. It’s not like he’s making a splash and representing the old school against insurmountable odds and filling my dreams each night with the power and manliness of massive zealot mine-splashes.
Let’s take a look at the games and maps:
Group A - Game 1
Savior(Z-CJ)
Group B - Game 1
Hwasin(T-STX)
Group C - Game 1
Iris(T-CJ)
Group D - Game 1
GGPlay(Z-Hanbit)
@ Python
This match will certainly say a lot about the current “slump” that Savior is experiencing as well as the rise of Oov back to potentially scary play. To be honest, I still think Savior is playing decently well, despite my ragging on him which is mostly just because I take joy in it. His loss to Oov in the recent Super Fight really doesn’t mean anything but, he’s had uninspired PL play, which is worrisome. On the other side of things, Oov has been playing well. These OSL groups will prove a lot about his resurgence.
@ Hitchhiker
When watching these games later tonight, I’ll use this time to go to the bathroom and grab some snacks. We have DArKeLf[S.siR], who in all honesty has been playing decent lately in all matchups, against Hwasin who is a one trick TvZ pony at best and in my opinion is nothing special at all. I don’t know who to give the edge to, nor do I care. Between the two major leagues there is going to be enough TvT to make me puke, and most of it will feature better players. Yawn...
@ Fantasy
Like 2 long lost lovers, Reach and the OSL have finally been reunited. I, like many others, look back fondly to the days before his slump, when he was the greatest Toss player alive, when his PvT struck fear into the hearts of the pathetic Terrans of the day, when he took shit from no one and represented as the only Protoss in the entire 16 man tournament.
Those were the days... and of course, nothing has changed. Reach will destroy all those that stand before him and have his way with their women. He is the Mantoss.
Oh, and Iris is pretty good too, not that it matters. MANTOSS!
@ Monty Hall
Monty Hall has shown some great PvZ games and thus far seems to be a very fun and balanced map. With a variety of cute openings available to each player there is no telling how the game will play out.
Stork has been in fantastic shape lately, making quick work of his ODT group, but by the same token GGPlay has shown some nice games lately too. Since these are the group stages it is not likely that GGPlay will pull a midas and blow it for no reason, like he has had the tendency to do in the past. If he shows his best ZvP, which can be terrifying, the Bird Toss will have his hands full. I have faith in Stork’s ability to win this, but GGPlay is no push over.
This is an insanely awesome way to get the season started. You couldn’t ask for a more action packed and exciting line up. Let’s hope the games live up to that standard.