This group produced some unexpected results. Many old faces have returned though along with many new faces finally breaking out of obscurity. This MSL is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ones in recent times. I hope you all enjoy it.
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Group 1: August 7th, 14:00
Game 1 - LuCifer < Dongrae on Athena
Game 2 - Iris > maGma on Athena.
Game 3 - Iris > Dongrae on Byzantium ► Iris advances.
Game 4 - LuCifer > maGma on Byzantium
Game 5 - Dongrae > LuCifer on Blue Storm ► Dongrae advances.
Group 1 had the expected result of Iris advancing with the slightly unexpected result of Dongrae advancing instead of Lucifer. Besides the upset of Dongrae > Lucifer the games were rather average with no surprising games.
Group 2: August 7th, 18:30
Game 1 - Bisu > hyvaa on Athena
Game 2 - Memory > BaBy on Athena
Game 3 - Bisu < Memory on Byzantium ► Memory advances.
Game 4 - hyvaa < BaBy on Byzantium
Game 5 - Bisu > BaBy on Blue Storm ► Bisu advances.
Group 2 was a great group. Bisu advanced and we got to see a very exciting game between Bisu and Memory on Byzantium. The rest of the games were rather lackluster with Bisu rolling hyvaa and BaBy. But again, I encourage you all to watch Memory vs Bisu.
Group 3: August 14th, 14:00
Game 1 - JangBi > ZergBOy on Athena
Game 2 - Shark > go.go on Athena
Game 3 - JangBi > Shark on Byzantium ► JangBi advances.
Game 4 - ZergBOy < go.go on Byzantium
Game 5 - Shark < go.go on Blue Storm ► go.go advances.
Group 3 again had the expected result of Go.Go and JangBi advancing. JangBi totally decimated Shark and Zergboy while despite advancing Go.Go hit a slight hiccup in his first game vs Shark. JangBi's been showing incredible play lately and this group shows it even more. He's definitely a strong contender for this MSL.
Group 4: August 14th, 18:30
Game 1 - Luxury < Tempest on Athena
Game 2 - FrOzean > DarkElf on Athena
Game 3 - FrOzean > Tempest on Byzantium ► FrOzean advances.
Game 4 - Luxury < DarkElf on Byzantium
Game 5 - Tempest > DarkElf on Blue Storm ► Tempest advances.
Group 4 was a huge surprise with Tempest and Frozean advancing past Luxury. While all 5 games were rather standard it was still a very pleasant surprise to see the up and comer tempest advance past the seasoned veterans, DarkElf and Luxury. Despite dropping his game vs Frozean Tempest showed solid play in this group.
Group 5: August 16th, 14:00
Game 1 - Canata > Nal_keke on Athena
Game 2 - YoonJoong < Leta on Athena
Game 3 - Canata > Leta on Byzantium ► Canata advances.
Game 4 - Nal_keke < YoonJoong on Byzantium
Game 5 - Leta > YoonJoong on Blue Storm ► Leta advances.
Group 5 was an interesting group. Leta's become a strong force in the progaming scene lately. He showed why he is 9-1 in his last 10 games. To be frank, Leta and Canata tore up this group. Both of these players will be strong contenders for the MSL title this season.
Group 6: August 16th, 18:30
Game 1 - sAviOr > Spear on Athena
Game 2 - UpMagiC > Hyuk on Athena
Game 3 - sAviOr < UpMagiC on Byzantium ► UpMagiC advances.
Game 4 - Spear > Hyuk on Byzantium
Game 5 - sAviOr > Spear on Blue Storm ► sAviOr advances.
Group 6 was rather pathetic. Savior and Up both advanced and Up showed solid play but Savior's play, despite bringing him the victory was rather dismal. There's nothing more to say about this group.
Group 7: August 17th, 14:00
Game 1 - Sea > Hades on Athena
Game 2 - HerO > Haran on Athena
Game 3 - Sea > HerO on Byzantium ► Sea advances.
Game 4 - Hades > Haran on Byzantium
Game 5 - HerO > Hades on Blue Storm ► HerO advances.
Group 7 was without a doubt the most exciting group of this MST. Sea ran through Hades and HerO without much effort. Both games weren't that inspiring, Sea just played solidly and came out on top. The real gems of this group were HerO vs Hades and HerO vs Haran. While the game vs Haran wasn't the greatest level of play it was still damn exciting. HerO vs Hades was just a great action packed PvZ on Blue Storm. I encourage everyone to go watch both these games.
Group 8: August 17th, 18:30
Game 1 - NaDa > Study on Athena
Game 2 - fantasy > SangHo on Athena
Game 3 - NaDa < fantasy on Byzantium ► fantasy advances.
Game 4 - Study < SangHo on Byzantium
Game 5 - NaDa > SangHo on Blue Storm ► NaDa advances.
Group 8 was enjoyable. The fan favorite, NaDa, advanced and the new Terran, fantasy, advanced while showing incredible play. I encourage everyone to watch NaDa's and Fantasy's games but to steer clear of the Study and SangHo match.
Group 9: August 21st, 14:00
Game 1 - Mind > Clay[fOu] on Athena
Game 2 - BackHo < ZerO on Athena
Game 3 - Mind < ZerO on Byzantium ► ZerO advances.
Game 4 - Clay[fOu] < BackHo on Byzantium
Game 5 - Mind < BackHo on Blue Storm ► BackHo advances.
Group 9 was possibly the biggest upset to me. Sure, everyone expected BackHo to advance but Mind getting knocked out by ZerO and BackHo was mind blowing. I didn't have the opportunity to watch these games so I can't comment, but I will say this. Anyone that can take down Mind ZvT is worth a gander.
Group 10: August 21st, 18:30
Game 1 - firebathero > koala_V_ on Athena
Game 2 - YellOw[ArnC] > Nbs[gm] on Athena
Game 3 - firebathero < YellOw[ArnC] on Byzantium ► YellOw[ArnC] advances.
Game 4 - koala_V_ > Nbs[gm] on Byzantium
Game 5 - firebathero > koala_V_ on Blue Storm ► firebathero advances.
Group 10 showed the expected result of YarnC/fbh advancing but that doesn't mean the games were complete rapes or boring. Firebathero vs Koala (both games) are well worth a watch. ETT sets the mood much better than I can so I'll link you to his thread concerning these games. (Click)
Group 11: August 23rd, 14:00
Game 1 - Kwanro > Bul_T on Athena
Game 2 - Calm < RuBy on Athena
Game 3 - Kwanro < RuBy on Byzantium ► RuBy advances.
Game 4 - Bul_T > Calm on Byzantium
Game 5 - Kwanro < Bul_T on Blue Storm ► Bul_T advances.
Group 11 had another big upset with Bul_T advancing over Kwanro and Calm. This whole group is well worth a watch. All 5 games were rather nice. Bul_T the relatively unknown SKT1 Protoss has now made himself a huge threat in this MSL with strong play vs Calm and Kwanro. Definately a player to follow
Group 12: August 23rd, 18:30
Game 1 - Light > Sea.Really on Athena
Game 2 - type-b[s.g] < Stork on Athena
Game 3 - Light < Stork on Byzantium ► Stork advances.
Game 4 - Sea.Really < type-b[s.g] on Byzantium
Game 5 - Light < type-b[s.g] on Blue Storm ► type-b[s.g] advances.
Group 12 was possibly the biggest upset after Luxury not advancing. Stork was expected to advance obviously with 2 Terrans in his group but the real suprise came from Type-B taking down both Really and Light. That along with the fact that he took them down on Byzantium which lately has been a Zerg death map in ZvT is even more incredible.