[Int] GSL Super Semifinals

MMA – ‘I am filled with gladness because I am now on the stage that I’ve been dreaming about.’

- Your thoughts on making the finals?
Now I can see with my own eyes which was previously only something I have been dreaming about, my heart feels like it is jumping out of my chest because of this opportunity to play my games on such a stage.

- Once again, you had a comeback win today.
I have only played a best of 5 twice before. Since I don’t have a lot of experience playing them, I was definitely lacking in how I planned out the series. I feel like I lost the 1st set too easily. Starting with the 3rd set, coach Cella and BoxeR came into the booth and helped me calm my mind. Had BoxeR not come today, it is very possible that I would not have won.

- What did BoxeR tell you?
He told me about Marineking’s various builds and habits, and asked me to use watchtowers more effectively. He also told me that because this is a fight of concentrations, I should fight on until the very end.

- When did you know you had won in the 3rd set?
(**T/N: I believe MMA is talking about the 4th set…) I thought I was in a good position, but when my siege tanks were taken out by the marauders so I was a bit panicked for a moment. When Marineking took the gold expansion and turned his marauders around, I knew that as long as I got them, I would win.

- How were you able to win the 5th set?
I did not specifically practice the build for the 5th set. I thought that I would just go with the flow if it went to 5. Marineking’s style doesn’t involve a lot of scouting that I thought I could do pretty much anything. But Marineking decided to use the same strategy he used against me on Crevasse the last time, I told myself that I wouldn’t lose to the same thing twice so I build multiple bunkers to hold then win the game.

- Marineking claimed that he had found your weakness.
I have thought about my weakness, but I can’t figure it out. I don’t think he was able to exploit it that much today. I hope he can help me find my weakness next time.

- Has your confidence risen even higher?
I cannot believe that I am in the finals now, when I imagine winning the whole thing I believe it will be a memory in my 20s that I can never forget. Ga-yeon told me that today’s match was not about Marineking vs. Me but rather a match between a SlayerS terran vs. a Prime terran. I will make sure to show not only my own strength but that of our team to win the championship.

- SlayerS does not have a (individual league) champion yet. How are they helping you practice?
The atmosphere at the team house is like that of a family so we help each other out all the time. I can even get help from players on other teams. fOu’s GuMiho practiced with me like it was his job. I am really thankful. I will make sure to buy him something tasty. TSL’s Heart also worked hard practicing with me.

- Your opponent in the finals will be another terran.
I know both players pretty well so I can’t say which one I would prefer to face. I can’t even predict the outcome. But no matter who advances, I will make sure to prepare my best against him.

- It will be a best of 7 in the final.
BoxeR has the most experience out of any of us, so I will get a lot of advice from him and prepare my match accordingly to show my best skills.

- How will you practice for the finals?
I will practice for the LG special league first, then practice my basics. I believe I can still improve on my fundamentals.

- Any last comments?
I want to thank Ga-yeon, BoxeR, and coach Cella. BoxeR came to the stadium today and was big source of strength for me. I am really thankful to him. BoxeR has advanced to the NASL grand finals (16 player playoff), I hope he can go there and make our team even grander on the world stage.

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Polt – ‘For the finals, I will rest my body.’

- Your thoughts on making the finals?
I am really excited.

- Did you predict in the beginning of this tournament, that you would be in the finals?
Since I needed to earn some money, I thought to myself that I would at least need to beat LosirA. After all that, somehow now I am on this stage.

- Does this tournament feel different than the previous ones?
I think luck has been following me. I have gotten many maps that I like, and since I am thinking positively, my games have been playing out well too.

- You fought a tough match today.
I lost to a mech build on Xel’naga caverns. Since Terminus is also a good mech map, I tried to end the game quickly in the early game. Today, I believed in myself always and used many builds designed for longer games and through that I have gained a lot of confidence with this win.

- PRIME terrans are not really known for mech play.
There aren’t many people who can use them very well. I think that is why it is tough to practice using it. But since oGs has players like Nada who can use mech effectively, I did think about preparing for such inevitabilities.

- The most memorable set?
The 4th set. I was behind, but I was able to turn it around and deliver the final blow which made me gain a ton of confidence.

- You have been a progamer for a while, has your mindset changed recently?
If I were to say I was playing more casually before, now with all these fans watching me, I would say I am practicing and playing just as hard as every other gamer out there.

- This is your first finals.
Our team doesn’t have a champion yet, so I really want to win. I also want to take revenge for Marineking.

- What were your thoughts when Marineking lost the first match today?
I think it was tough for him because he lost after having a commanding 2:0 lead. I hope that he doesn’t take that to heart too much and plays even better the next time. Even after my 4th set, Marineking was still here cheering for me, he was a big source of strength.

- You will be facing MMA in the finals.
People think my TvT is weak, but I do not believe that it is. I suppose it may seem like it as compared to my TvP, but if you look at it objectively, it isn’t weak by any standard. MMA has been playing a lot of TvTs recently, but as for me I have not, which means that my strategies have not been revealed as of yet. I predict that whoever comes into the match with better builds and mental strength will be the victor.

- Will marineking help you out for this match?
I will practice hard for this match. I will make sure to come with a definite solution for mech play. I am confident in my bionic play so as long as I can stop the mech play I believe I can win. (**T/N: did not answer the question…)

- You will be a bit behind in big stage experience.
I believe as long as I work on my fundimentals, I can get over that fact. This was my first semifinals today and although I was shaking a bit, I was able to win. It will be ok as long as I win.

- Are you greedy for the money?
Of course. After the round of 8, I have been thinking that “this is the tournament for me.”

- People are giving the advantage to your opponent.
From the round of 64, I have beaten LosirA, Alicia, and TOP to get here. Every time, people have thought that my opponent would prevail. Since I have beaten all of them, I believe that this match is once again possible for me. When my opponents are favored, I try to play and turn that prediction upside down. And of course, when I am favored, I play thinking that I should win the match hands down.

- You will have some time before the finals.
I am glad. It has been hard for me to play so many matches in quick consecutive days. I am going to rest my body for the finals.

- If you were to compare this to an important test?
The stage is different and there are people watching, so it will be even more nerve-wracking than a test.

- Your opponent will have BoxeR’s coaching.
I have Marineking on my side. He has experienced more finals than any other player (in SC2) so he will be a big help to me.

- Marineking said after his round of 8 match that he had found MMA’s weakness, but he still lost.
His (Marineking’s) strategic choice in the last set was disappointing. If he was a bit more patient I think he could have easily gotten a better result. I think he got too impatient because MMA caught up. I was busy preparing for my match so I don’t know what he practiced, but if it was the usual Marineking, he would not have lost like that.

- You must be pretty famous at your school.
Everyone in the department knows me. I think most people who are interested in games at the school know me as well. Sometimes it becomes a topic in the school community. But I am just glad to have taken care of my tuition with my prize money this time.

- Any last comments?
I want to thank NSHoSeo’s Jjakji and fOu’s players who Choya set me up with for helping me practice. I want to thank sC especially for his great help. Since we ate well together yesterday, I hope you can help me again in the future. I guess I will need to buy more snacks next time.
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Ro 8
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Ro16
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Ro32
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Ro64
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