[Winners' Interviews] OSL prelims

Samsung Khan’s Roro: “The match with Bisu was no sweat”



In the finals of group A of the Starleague prelims, Samsung’s Roro overcame Bisu and advanced to the dual tournament. He set the tone by notching a win in set 1. Although he gave up set 2, he stepped it up in set 3 with a hydra bust timing and brought Bisu to his knees.

“I’d gotten nervous playing Bisu before, so the key was playing with a calm mind,” said Roro, adding that “I’m grateful to Stork and Jangbi in helping me get the win.”

Q: Initial reactions on advancing
Roro: It’s been a while since I’ve gone into the Starleague. I got mixed into a group with Bisu, of all seeds, but I took it in stride. I think that actually helped more than anything.

Q: It’s a match against Bisu. What’s the significance of that approach
Roro: Bisu’s a really strong opponent. I’ve only ever beaten him a few times, so my attitude was “win or lose, just try your best.”

Q: How were the preceding matches
Roro: I played Woongjin’s Bisang, and took both matches quickly with hydras.

Q: Was it today’s theme to finish matches quickly
Roro: Since my team has a lot of protosses, I get a lot of practice vP. As a result, I have a lot of builds I can use depending on the situation. It’s one of the advantages of my team.

Q: What do you think were your problems last Starleague
Roro: I don’t think I won a single match after I qualified. Now that I’ve moved teams, I hope I can use the new mindset and environment to get good results.

Q: How are you doing these days
Roro: After the team fell from the playoffs, we started relaxing, but now I’m diving back in.

Q: Did the Bisu-killer Shine teach you his ways
Roro: That’s all old news, though (laughs) so I didn’t get much help

Q: Make one resolution for the future
Roro: It’s the first Starleague in a while, so it feels good to move onto the dual tournament. Although I don’t have any good memories in Starleagues, I’m even more determined to do well.

Q: Anything you want to say
Roro: To be honest, I was really nervous playing Bisu. The all-in build I used in set 3 I practiced with Stork and Jangbi, so I was sure I could win. I’m grateful to those two for helping me practice.


Daily eSports reporter Kang Sung-kil – gillnim@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58707

CJ’s Rush: I’ll advance step by step



The biggest surprise in the Starleague 2012 offline prelims was the advancing of CJ terran Rush. Spiting analyses that KT’s Stats and SKT’s By.Sun were the heavyweights in the group, he advanced as 1st place to the dual tournament.

“You have to set your sights high. My goal is to win it all, but I’ll set mini-goals one victory at a time and advance deliberately,” said Rush.

Q: Thoughts on passing the prelims
Rush: I became a progamer 3 years ago, but it’s the first time I’ve passed the prelims. I used to feel like I was stuck fast, but now I feel like things might happen.

Q: Almost nobody thought Rush would make it out of group B
Rush: Me neither (laughs). More than Stats and By.Sun, the first player I faced, Odin, was the scariest. I heard he didn’t practice much and I was scared he might use all-in plays.

Q: How were the TvPs against Stats, By.Sun
Rush: When I play Stats I often lose in the management game. I think my preparing against early cheeses and preparing careful plans helped a lot.

Q: How were your games
Rush: I did a double command build and did a 4 fact rush, and in set 3 I used a center 8rax bunker rush. I copied what Flash does and the results were good.

Q: This proleague season you only got sent out once
Rush: Because there were fewer matches there were fewer games. Because our team was in a must-win situation there wasn’t much room for experimentation. I think that’s why there were fewer chances to get sent out. It made me realize I need to raise my skill to that of a main player.

Q: How’s CJ doing
Rush: We got a vacation, and prepared for the prelims.

Q: Your personal goals
Rush: I’ve set my goals high. I’ve set high goals while achieving smaller goals meanwhile. My big goal is to win it all and my mini-goals are each individual match.

Q: Any players you want to meet in the dual tournament
Rush: I want to meet a zerg. I think out of the three matchups TvZ is the best

Daily eSports reporter Nam Yoon-sung – thenam@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58708

KT’s Action: This Starleague I’ll show good results



KT Rolster’s Action took his momentum from the proleague postseason and advanced to the Starleague dual tournament. In taking out Best, whom he could face in the proleague grand final with SK Telecom T1, Action put some added significance to his victory.

“I lost once in the starleague round of 8 to Jaedong,” said Action. “I regret giving up too easily in those matches, but this Starleague I’ll practice to perfection and show good results.”

Q: You moved onto the dual tournament
Action: I’ve wanted to show good results in the individual tournaments. It’s been frustrating that that didn’t happen, but in advancing this time I feel good.

Q: It must’ve been hard practicing because of the overlap with the proleague playoffs
Action: The team allows us to regulate our own practice. I was focusing on practicing for the playoffs, but it turned out alright.

Q: How were your matches
Action: I messed up set 1 against Best in the finals. I was on my way to an easy win until I suffered a dt drop that got 40 something kills. Since they were mostly drones it was hard to strike back. And even after the first time, I suffered damage 2, 3 times after, too. I wasn’t happy with my performance.

Q: How go KT’s preparations for the grand final
Action: We took it pretty easy til today. We’re going to push really hard from today.

Q: Your resolution for individual leagues
Action: I’ve been to the round of 8 before. I had good momentum then. I faced Jaedong, and inside I’d already given up. After that, my confidence dropped and I’ve slumped in the [individual] leagues. I want to seize this opportunity for sure. I don’t know when this chance will come next, so I’m going to give it my all.

Q: Were the maps ok
Action: I think they chose the maps with good balance in proleague. I think the map “Gladiator” is alright for zergs.

Q: The Grand Final is on the 8th
Action: In last season’s final, I was ahead in a match but suffered a reversal, and the team almost lost. I resolved to redeem myself with an awesome performance next time, and this season the opportunity has come. Without exception, I’ll show good matchplay in the final and win.

Daily eSports reporter Nam Yoon-sung – thenam@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58706

STX’s Bogus: I’m aiming to win it all



STX’s Bogus advanced to the dual tournament by taking out KT’s streaking Hoejja. After dispatching Paralyze 2-0 in the round of 4, Bogus also finished Hoejja 2-0 in the finals. Bogus said he’d realized some things from the offseason, saying, “I’ll make use of my time off and get better.”

Q: Thoughts on advancing to the dual tournament
Bogus: I was nervous since it’s the first Starleague in a while, but thankfully I advanced to the dual tournament. It feels good.

Q: How was your last Starleague?
Bogus: I don’t think I’ve gotten any better since then (laughs). There were a lot of things I learned during the offseason, so I think I’ll be able to develop rapidly from now on.

Q: How were today’s matches
Bogus: Luck was on my side, and I finished faster than expected.

Q: Had you prepared your strategies
Bogus: I did use some prepared strategies, and the matches played out the way I wanted.

Q: Were there any moments of crisis in your match with Hoejja
Bogus: In the second match, I won easily via my control. But, in set 1, Hoejja used an unexpected strategy and we both flailed about for a bit until I won (laughs).

Q: Quick update of recent events
Bogus: I went on a vacation for the past two weeks. Since last Saturday I’ve been spending my time practicing Starcraft 1 and 2

Q: Thoughts on Starcraft 2
Bogus: I haven’t played that much, but it’s hard in some ways and easy in others. Starcraft 2’s TvT doesn’t seem that hard so I think I can do well

Q: Any resolutions
Bogus: It’s the first Starleague in a while. I’ve set my ambitions high so I’d like to win it all if possible.

Q: Anything you want to say
Bogus: I'd hoped to use my offseason time well. While I had a lot of regrets this season, next season I’ll show a completely different side of me.

Daily eSports reporter Kang Sung-kil – gillnim@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58709

Woongjin’s Soulkey: I’ve got to get to the semifinals at least



In the SK Planet Starcraft Proleague season 1, Woongjin Stars’ Neo_G.Soulkey cemented his place as the strongest zerg, and he showed that strong image in the 2012 Starleague prelims. In advancing to the dual tournament with two easy 2-0 matches, Neo_G.Soulkey showed no nervousness or moments of crisis.

Neo_G.Soulkey said confidently, “When the Starleague didn’t start I couldn’t set a goal, but because I advanced so easily to the dual tournament I want to get to the round of 4”

Q: Thoughts on advancing to the dual tournament
Neo_G.Soulkey: I had to advance no matter what. It feels good, but I also feel pretty stoic about it.

Q: How were your matches today
Neo_G.Soulkey: I was a little nervous

Q: You didn’t even lose once
Neo_G.Soulkey: My matches went the way I wanted. I thought they were easy.

Q: Yesterday, no one from Woongjin advanced. Didn’t you feel any pressure
Neo_G.Soulkey: I didn’t feel pressured but I felt nervous in the matches. After I won my first set my nerves disappeared and from then on I played relaxed.

Q: Update on recent events
Neo_G.Soulkey: Even though it was the offseason we still practiced. Even though I was pissed because the sudden prelims meant no vacation (laughs). But since passing the prelims is top priority I practiced without complaints.

Q: Had you made plans for your vacation
Neo_G.Soulkey: The moment I was about to make plans, the prelims were announced and I started practicing.

Q: Any players you want to meet in the dual tournament
Neo_G.Soulkey: I don’t have any players in particular, but my goal is to make it past the dual tournament no matter what

Q: Any resolutions for this Starleague
Neo_G.Soulkey: It’s the first Starleague in a while. My goals are always lofty but til now I haven’t been able to get them. This time I definitely want to realize my goals.

Q: What are those goals, specifically
Neo_G.Soulkey: At least the round of 4

Q: Anything you want to say
Neo_G.Soulkey: Out of Woongjin, only Zero advanced, but I’m confident all the players who didn’t make it will size the next opportunity. We’ll practice hard during the offseason and show a good face during the next proleague.

Daily eSports reporter Nam Yoon-sung – thenam@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58725

Woongjin’s Zero: I want to snap my losing streak in the round of 8



Woongjin Stars’ Zero is a player of misfortune. After taking second place in the ABC Mart MSL, Zero slumped in the MSLs, dispelling all talks of a resurrection. Twice, he squandered the good fortune of having a seed. He tried to do well in the Starleagues, too, but struggled every time in the round of 8. Zero, who often fell from the round of 8 with 0-2 scores, set his goal this time as winning at least one match in the round of 8. If he can do that, he’ll set his goals towards getting to the final, or even winning it.

Q: Thoughts on advancing
Zero: I failed in last season’s prelims and vowed to definitely make it this time. Thankfully, my matches went well and I advanced.

Q: How were your matches today
Zero: Maybe because the maps are good for zerg, or my opponents used all-ins or unorthodox strategies, but I just rolled with the punches and overall played well.

Q: Which all-in play sticks out in your mind
Zero: The builds worked in my favor with Perfectman, and Snow used an all-in build. The matches could’ve been easy, but I didn’t notice the secret expo at 1 o’clock and I almost lost. I’d sent a zergling to scout but he didn’t listen (laughs).

Q: How did you win
Zero: My condition isn’t the best so if I thought if I lost set 2 I’d lose set 3. So I dug in my heels even more and I think my effort paid off with a win.

Q: Woongjin didn’t have any qualifiers yesterday
Zero: Because we had a lot of our main line members today I expected a lot of us to advance, but unfortunately only Neo_G.Soulkey and I did.

Q: Who was the most unfortunate loss
Zero: It’s unfortunate for every one, but I think it’s worst for Free, who practiced the hardest. It’s really a pity his results aren’t good because he practiced really hard. Even at that age, he stayed up really late practicing (sigh)

Q: It’s the first time you’ve qualified in a while
Zero: I believe with regular good practice you can definitely advance

Q: Any matchups or players you want
Zero: It seems like there are a lot of zergs in the dual tournament. I think I’ll meet a zerg for sure. I’m going to settle my sights on ZvZ and practice. I’d love to meet a protoss but the Starleagues mean things don’t go my way

Q: What are your goals
Zero: I still haven’t won a match in the round of 8. I have to win at least one match in the round of 8 (laughs). After that, I’ll say my goal is to win first place

Q: Anything you want to say
Zero: My teammates really put in a lot of work preparing for the prelims. The results were unfortunate, but next season we’ll prepare well and move on all together.

Daily eSports reporter Kang Sung-kil – gillnim@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58728

CJ’s Horang2: There were no easy matches



CJ Entus’ Horang2 is known for his exceptional PvT. His Starleague 2012 offline prelim group was expected to be easy, with a couple terrans, but both Horang2’s matches went to the wire. The disaster of failing to qualify flashed through Horang2’s head several times. But, he said, “Not looking back and only pushing forward was the motivation for my wins.”

Q: Thoughts on advancing
Horang2: I was the last one to advance. I think that made it sweeter.

Q: Your matches were long. Both went 2-1.
Horang2: My matches were a little difficult. They were no joke. I played two terrans but it feels like I won by force of will (laughs).

Q: Which game was the hardest
Horang2: The second game against Ssak in the round of 4 was the hardest, but overall the difficulty was around the same. There really were no easy games.

Q: What drove you to win
Horang2: Not looking back and only pushing forward was the main thing

Q: How did you practice
Horang2: I took prelim practice pretty easy. I practiced alone against the computer, and with teammates. Everyone rolled up their sleeves and helped practice.

Q: Any matchups you’d like next
Horang2: Doesn’t matter which matchups or players. I’m going to have to take them out regardless, so I don’t worry about that.

Q: There are a lot of zergs, though
Horang2: My PvZ’s gotten better than before. A progamer can’t just practice for one matchup, so I’ll practice so I can beat whoever I meet

Q: Update on recent events
Horang2: The break was surprisingly short so I spent it practicing. I practiced Starcraft 1 and 2 side by side.

Q: What race do you practice in Starcraft 2
Horang2: At first I played terran but then I thought “never mind” and went back to Protoss (laughs).

Q: Anything you want to say
Horang2: Before the matches my fans gave me drinks and snacks, and I think that helped me play in a good mood. I want to send my thanks.

Daily eSports reporter Kang Sung-kil – gillmnim@dailyesports.com
Source: http://esports.dailygame.co.kr/news/read.php?id=58734