EVER 1 OSL (04 Aug 27 - 04 Nov 20)
1. (T)iloveoov
EVER 2 OSL (05 Apr 8 - 05 Jul 2)
1. (Z)July
EVER 2007 OSL (07 Sep 21 - 07 Dec 22)
1. (Z)Jaedong
EVER 2008 OSL
1. ???
The ProLeague has a week under it's belt, and the upstart GOM league has played it's first night. Yesterday it was time for the heavyweight of the pro broodwar scene to step into the ring. Step they did, bringing with them an extremely strong card featuring THREE former OSL champions on a host of new maps. With the last OSL panned by much of our community (present company included) it was important for OGN to have a strong broadcast on opening night.
With Um Jae-kyung and his partners dressed in snazzy suits, the opening did not disappoint. The OSL broadcast showed off some improving map preview technology, with a computer generated model of the map highlighting the features of Hwarangdo (say it out loud, its fun).
Another highlight was not waiting a week or two for the opening. OSL brought it strong, with no more happy hop-scotch garbage. This video showcased bare-sleeved gamers striking poses that would make the most frigid of fangirls (and boys) moisten. Definite props to OGN for coming prepared this season and avoiding the worrying trend of late sponsorship that has plagued recent events.
Game One: Jaedong vs Casy
Map: Hwarangdo
History: Jaedong 0:3 Casy
It feels like just yesterday when Casy won his OSL and ShinHan was sponsoring everything. However, it was two years ago that he made his run in a zerg and terran dominated field. Since then he has been released by OGN and picked up by WeMade. This OSL represents his big chance at making a comeback and proving his worth.
As for Jaedong, he needs little introduction. His OSL title came last summer, and despite being humbled by Flash in recent months, he is still an auto liquibet vote for most.
+ Show Spoiler [Game Comments] +
Utter destruction. Casy knew this map cold, and Jaedong wasn't even born when Nostalgia was in use. He better text July and figure out how to play with only one gas. Casy's early game micro was intense, with his 3 marines basically ending the game vs 8 drones. Vultures were the obvious follow-up, and with Casy's sick sick micro there was nothing Jaedong could do.
Game Two: BackHo vs GGPlay
Map: Hwarangdo
History: GGplay 1:0 BackHo
Pills & Kisses by the Donots is the song featured in the opening. I'm still loving the hard edge to the OSL theme this time. It was very necessary. The second match of the night featured GGPlay, the OSL winner prior to Jaedong. GGPlay basically disappeared off the map in terms of OSL results after his win over Iris, not making it out of the group phase of the following tournament. After missing out on the Bacchus OSL completely, he is back in the big time. This week serves as the first real litmus test of how his recent move to CJ has affected his game.
As for BackHo... how is this guy still around? He went 0-3 in Bacchus and is hardly a reliable ProLeague player. Is he the Protoss MuMyung, always good enough to make it out of the minor leagues but just taking up space in the big time? Wednesday was a big test for him as well.
+ Show Spoiler [Game Comments] +
I thought BackHo held his own early, repeatedly killing GGPlay's extra expansion and securing his own second gas with the help of a hero archon. However, GGPlay's stubbornness with mutalisks and ability to defend with lurkers bought him enough time to hammer BackHo's exposed production. With that breathing room he was able to mass up his basic units, something we will see from all players on this map. BackHo got too anxious, didn't expand enough while he was on the offensive, and was eventually starved out by GGPlay's aggressive macro. Center control proved to be very important, and GGPlay did a great job by preventing probe transfers to 9 in midgame.
Winner's Game
Map: Andromena
History: GGplay 2:1 Casy
+ Show Spoiler [Game Comments] +
After coping well with BackHo's mass speedlots, GGPlay came right back with another quality game. He punished Casy for his hyper-aggression and took advantage of the late vessel tech to maximize his muta harass. Their close positions in the north also allowed GGPlay to expand to 7 with relative safety and mine his third gas just as his hive popped.
Taking advantage of the close positions, GGPlay simply pushed across under the cover of swarm, and the choke sealed in the terran army. Casy's army seemed out of position, and his irradiate was late as GGPlay advanced in an impressive performance.
Zerg players are making such effective use of nydus canals these days, it has really served as an effective counter to the terran push + dropship combo that has wrecked zerg expansions in the past. It also frees up lurkers that would otherwise be stationed at expos.
Taking advantage of the close positions, GGPlay simply pushed across under the cover of swarm, and the choke sealed in the terran army. Casy's army seemed out of position, and his irradiate was late as GGPlay advanced in an impressive performance.
Zerg players are making such effective use of nydus canals these days, it has really served as an effective counter to the terran push + dropship combo that has wrecked zerg expansions in the past. It also frees up lurkers that would otherwise be stationed at expos.
Loser's Game
Map: Andromena
History: Jaedong 0:0 BackHo
+ Show Spoiler [Game Comments] +
After being bunker rushed in the first game, Jaedong got proxy gated in the second. It sucks to be the champ. He made a choice early to retreat and fight the zeals rather than go to the protoss main which possibly could have forced BackHo home. That decision will haunt Jaedong for the rest of the OSL as he watches from the sidelines. BackHo ran over his natural hatchery while defending his proxy gates at the same time. Jaedong's too-late counter with three lings was laughable and the door was open for BackHo to expand and take the game. Weak sauce.
Final Game
Map: Troy
History: Casy 0:1 BackHo
+ Show Spoiler [Game Notes] +
This one was over as soon as Casy scouted BackHo last, which was unfortunately after BackHo had seen the double barracks. Casy's marine micro is the best in the world, but even he could not fend off the protoss defense of zeal/goon/probes that BackHo put up. As the second attack failed, SuperJongMan cried himself to sleep and the Neo-Emperor scarcely lived up to his name. BackHo breaks through to the next round, joining GGPlay in a Liquibet busting day. Don't believe me?
+ Show Spoiler +
+ Show Spoiler +
More games come down the pipe Friday with the following lineup:
Game 1: BeSt < Hwarangdo > NaDa
Game 2: sAviOr < Hwarangdo > Spear
Winners: < Andromeda >
Losers: < Andromeda >
Playoff: < Troy >
Remember, you can watch the games by using DAUM player, or by checking out the Small VOD Thread for video if your timezone doesn't let you see it live.
Props to BaeZZi forever for uploading YouTube.
See you next week,
Mani