Recently I've been treating you to some of the great games of YellOw, and while everyone is enjoying them - i think we're still dangerously low on YellOw saturation. So in order to rectify this deficit, I'll continue writing about the Storm Zerg and posting some of his famous, not so famous and downright awesome games.
The first of which comes from the legendary So1 OSL. After a trail blazing and record setting first week (check last blog entry) in his game against GGPlay YellOw looked ready to make a serious attempt on the OSL. However, YellOw ran into future champion Anytime in the group stage. The resulting game was indeed legendary, but for allt he wrong reasons as YellOw was humiliated by an all-DT strategy. To keep his OSL chances alive he needed a win against old time rival iloveoov - and for the third time in the OSL, YellOw would make for a remarkable game.
Oov had lost to GGplay the week before, and starting off with a loss is always hard. The Yellow-Oov game was also a must win for oov, as going 0-2 would ensure elimination while winning would keep his chances alive. So yes, there was significant tension riding around this game and it certainly lived up to all the hype
Here it is; Iloveoov vs YellOw @ Forte from So1 OSL
http://tv.mofile.com/X7HS3M2P/
+ Show Spoiler [Game Comments] +
For all of you guys wondering, this is indeed the legendary mass tank TvZ game - ie oov makes more tanks than he does in TvP and steamrolls YellOw. However, this game has some epic moves by YellOw and worthy of being hailed a great game in it's own right.
If you haven't seen this game simply wtf? Go out and watch it - now!
If you haven't seen this game simply wtf? Go out and watch it - now!
Seeing as that game doesn't quite fulfill the YellOw fan's urges + Show Spoiler +
because he loses
After being shunned from Shinhan 2005 OSL and with a dismal record in proleague, YellOw appeared to be washed up. His former greatness seem to have eroded to nothing and he would become like the other slumping giants. Yet he managed to comeback and qualify for Shinhan S1 OSL - one of the better OSLs in history. With a rather barbaric map pool, the OSL was certianly controversial - and with the possibility of Lim-Jin once again, this was an epic OSL.
In the group stages YellOw met a certain Terran by the name of Midas whom he had to crush on 815. A tall order given the map balance, but YellOw was up to the challenge. The result landed itself in the honorable mentions for PP06 - proving that even now that YellOw can still pimp his way to the top. After much searching, here is the epic Yellow vs Midas from Shinhan 1 OSL.
To top off the post, heres an interview translated by FireBlast in response to his 'comeback' victory;
+ Show Spoiler +
Every Starcraft fan cheered as everyone's favourite veteran Zerg played a great game of ZvT to beat Midas with a refreshing performance.
-It was a sweet victory.
It was hard practicing especially because the map is difficult for Zerg. However I knew I’d find plenty of solutions if I played enough. Previously the opponents came well prepared when I played using strategies that are widely used so I decided to try and play my own game. I used a build order that isn’t so readily used on that map to try and win this tricky fixture.
-You were bunker rushed early on.
It is easy to bunker rush on this map so it’s one of the first things I practiced against, although when he did in fact try it I found myself thinking “what the hell?” because by the time I saw it the bunker was near completion. If the opponent was in a horizontal or a diagonal position to me I would have found it, it was very bad luck.
And so the bunker was complete (laughs) So I thought up the best counter. I made sure his reinforcements couldn’t reach the bunker and killed it when zerglings arrived. It wasn’t a completely unexpected form of bunker rush so I fought it off. It helped that I practiced so much against this strategy.
-By now you must be used to bunker rushes.
Before every game I sit down and think whether or not the opponent is in a position to try it (laughs). I don’t hate it. I just need to be more diligent with my play. From now on I will improve my game so I wouldn’t lose to any surprise strategies like bunker rushes.
-Was it a split second decision to use stacked lurkers?
It’s very inconvenient to use ground units on this map so most players prefer the mutalisk tech. However from the beginning I knew I could win if I pressured him enough to be able to move the lurkers up. I had it in mind all throughout the game. If I played defensively I might’ve been in trouble but I was at an advantage once I killed his initial army with zerglings.
-You have regained your confidence.
As I mentioned in the group drawing, I’ve decided to be a lot stronger mentally this year. I want to take my play style to its limits. My desire to win is greater than ever before. I want to reach the very summit. I’ve managed to top the rankings amongst our team and gained a lot of confidence from that. I feel I’ve learnt how to win again.
-Did you feel any pressure going into the match?
I was felt a lot of pressure. I know my situation very well, this is my first game for some time andI had also lost my games in special event games. To make matters worse all my teammates were winning, and I even read an article that it was down to me to carry on a winning streak for KTF. Having read that I was more determined than before and I felt a certain responsibility not to lose.
-Recently you backed down from your position as captain?
I've mixed feelings about it. I wanted to lead the team to many wins and trophies but then I suffered in my individual performances. I’m disappointed I don’t have many successes to my name as a team captain. However at the same time I feel the burden has been lifted and it’s refreshing.
-Your goal this season?
To at least get a seed. Rather than set a goal I just don’t want to let myself down. Even if I fail I want to give a performance that won’t leave any regrets this season.
-Translated from FiFo-
-It was a sweet victory.
It was hard practicing especially because the map is difficult for Zerg. However I knew I’d find plenty of solutions if I played enough. Previously the opponents came well prepared when I played using strategies that are widely used so I decided to try and play my own game. I used a build order that isn’t so readily used on that map to try and win this tricky fixture.
-You were bunker rushed early on.
It is easy to bunker rush on this map so it’s one of the first things I practiced against, although when he did in fact try it I found myself thinking “what the hell?” because by the time I saw it the bunker was near completion. If the opponent was in a horizontal or a diagonal position to me I would have found it, it was very bad luck.
And so the bunker was complete (laughs) So I thought up the best counter. I made sure his reinforcements couldn’t reach the bunker and killed it when zerglings arrived. It wasn’t a completely unexpected form of bunker rush so I fought it off. It helped that I practiced so much against this strategy.
-By now you must be used to bunker rushes.
Before every game I sit down and think whether or not the opponent is in a position to try it (laughs). I don’t hate it. I just need to be more diligent with my play. From now on I will improve my game so I wouldn’t lose to any surprise strategies like bunker rushes.
-Was it a split second decision to use stacked lurkers?
It’s very inconvenient to use ground units on this map so most players prefer the mutalisk tech. However from the beginning I knew I could win if I pressured him enough to be able to move the lurkers up. I had it in mind all throughout the game. If I played defensively I might’ve been in trouble but I was at an advantage once I killed his initial army with zerglings.
-You have regained your confidence.
As I mentioned in the group drawing, I’ve decided to be a lot stronger mentally this year. I want to take my play style to its limits. My desire to win is greater than ever before. I want to reach the very summit. I’ve managed to top the rankings amongst our team and gained a lot of confidence from that. I feel I’ve learnt how to win again.
-Did you feel any pressure going into the match?
I was felt a lot of pressure. I know my situation very well, this is my first game for some time andI had also lost my games in special event games. To make matters worse all my teammates were winning, and I even read an article that it was down to me to carry on a winning streak for KTF. Having read that I was more determined than before and I felt a certain responsibility not to lose.
-Recently you backed down from your position as captain?
I've mixed feelings about it. I wanted to lead the team to many wins and trophies but then I suffered in my individual performances. I’m disappointed I don’t have many successes to my name as a team captain. However at the same time I feel the burden has been lifted and it’s refreshing.
-Your goal this season?
To at least get a seed. Rather than set a goal I just don’t want to let myself down. Even if I fail I want to give a performance that won’t leave any regrets this season.
-Translated from FiFo-
enjoy