- TG Sambo / Intel Classic 2008 Season 1 - Schedule
- The reason for Cool[fOu] not being on the eSTRO roster for Proleague
- eSTRO with new uniforms sponsored by Arena Sports
- Former SKT1 coach JooHoon's debut as Proleague commentator on OGN
- Interactive Interviews with Jaedong, Flash and Bisu
TG Sambo / Intel Classic 2008 Season 1 - Schedule
GomTV has finally announced the outline of their highly anticipated GomTV Classic tournament. The 148 player tournament will run over the course of four months, beginning with the Ro128 on April 13th and ending with the Grand Final on August 9th. The KeSPA Top32 will automatically advance to the Ro64, the remaining 116 players will have to battle it out to determine the players for the remaining spots in the Ro64. With approx. 40.000$ for 1st place, 15.000$ for 2nd, 10.000$ for 3/4th and 5000$ for quarterfinalists, GomTV boasts with a total prize money of about 100.000$ (all prizes in USD), which is nothing short of amazing. The full tourney will be commentated in English by the one and only Nick 'Tasteless' Plott. Matches will take place on Sundays 18.00 KST. Check out www.gomtv.net for VODs, live streams (and hopefully with updated news once GomTV starts with the tournament).
Read more about the TG Sambo / Intel Classic 2008 Season 1 in Pachi's thread.
The opening matches on April 13th will include live broadcasts of:
YellOw v. (P)n.Die_asam
EffOrt v. ToSsGirL
LuCifer v. Wannabe[WHITE]
BaBy v. (Z)NsP_Robbie
Here's the tournament's complete timeplan:
04.13 - Ro128
04.20 - Ro64 - Round 1
04.27 - Ro64 - Round 2 - Part 1(KeSPA top 32 + players qualified through tournament)
05.04 - Ro64 - Round 2 - Part 2
05.11 - Ro64 - Round 2 - Part 3
05.18 - Ro64 - Round 2 - Part 4
05.25 - Ro32 - Part 1
06.01 - Ro32 - Part 2
06.08 - Ro32 - Part 3
06.15 - Ro32 - Part 4
06.22 - Ro16 - Part 1
06.29 - Ro16 - Part 2
07.06 - Ro8
07.13 - Semi Finals 1
07.20 - Semi Finals 2
08.09 - Grand Finals
Source: Fomos
However, the most important question of all is: "Who will be playing?!". Unfortunately, GomTV has not yet released a full player list yet. There are rumors floating around on Korean forums that OGN Sparkyz and MBC Game will not be attending the tournament. Other sources say that also SKT1, eSTRO and ACE will not be participating, which would exclude 5 of the 12 proteams. Additionally, the support from Korean websites doesn't seem to be that great yet, which explains the lack of publicity and small audience we have seen at the GomTV special matches. FighterForum, one of the biggest Korean e-Sports sites is heavily biased towards KeSPA and hasn't reported about the GomTV tournament at all yet. We will have to wait for an official statement.
Now, the last paragraph and upcoming paragraph are pretty much based on hearsay and my personal opinion, thus unofficial news, but it clearly seems like GomTV is in some trouble. Little is publicly known about the problems GomTV - KeSPA - MBC - OGN had behind the scenes, but GomTV has failed to get recognized as an official formal league by KeSPA and in addition to that MBCGame/OGN seem very uncomfortable about a new competitor that is as large, influential and rich as GomTV and have been stalling, maybe even boycotting. Due to all those troubles GomTV couldn't focus too much on their publicity, which is why we only have very few news updates on the Korean sites and almost no official news on the English site. Despite all our love for KeSPA, OGN and MBCGame (ok maybe not KeSPA), we shouldn't forget that GomTV is the company that tries to bring us a Korean league with full English coverage, a service that others have failed to deliver for almost 10 years. So let's cut down on the criticism and support GomTV with all we have.
The reason for Cool[fOu] not being on the eSTRO roster for Proleague
The official list of team rosters released a few days ago didn't include Cool[fOu] on eSTRO's roster. Cool[fOu]'s father died 4 years ago, which left Cool[fOu] in charge of the fatherly duties in his family. He left for his hometown as his younger brother is currently facing some personal troubles. eSTRO states that Cool[fOu] is still on the team and will be returning to Proleague after his family problems are resolved.
Source: FiFo
eSTRO with new uniforms sponsored by Arena Sports
As reported earlier here, eSTRO has signed a 2 year sponsorship contract with Arena Sports.
A few days ago the newly designed uniforms were showcased in public.
Source: Fomos
Former SKT1 coach JooHoon's debut as Proleague commentator on OGN
JooHoon will begin his new work as an official OGN commentator for Proleague at the opening match between KTF and SKT1 on April 12th. In the golden days of SKT1, JooHoon has led his team to four consecutive championships from Sky Proleague 2005 Round 1 until Sky Proleague 2006 Round1. JooHoon has quit his job at SKT1 and has been signed by OGN as a commentator on the 28th of January this year.
Source: Fomos
Interactive Interviews with Jaedong, Flash and Bisu
FighterForum's interview series will feature 11 current top players answering questions submitted by fans via live chat. Players include Jaedong, Flash, Bisu, 910, sAviOr, YellOw[ArnC]/Luxury, firebathero, BaBy, Hwasin, free and UpMagiC. If anyone would like to help out translating these, please message me, I would appreciate it very much. Sorry for the bad translation, I did these very quickly - here are the first three interviews:
Jaedong
+ Show Spoiler +
-Who are the Top5 players on Lecafs internal rankings?
Generally all players who play Proleague make it to the top of Lecaf's internal rankings. Anytime, me, HiyA and fOrGG belong to that list.
-Are there any players from other teams you are close with?
Let me see. The are no players outside Lecaf I have a very close friendship with but I get along well with everyone generally. I haven't had the chance to deepen our friendship yet, but I want to become closer with Bisu and Sea.
-What were the reactions after your OSL win?
Nothing much has changed. Just along the lines of 'ah he won the Starleague'.
-Your team has moved it's living quarters, how is it?
We moved to a residential are so it's much more comfortable than before. We even have a garden. We plan to bring pets too.
-How was the meeting with A.V.A girl DaGeon? (picture)
She is very pretty. We took pictures and I was very nervous. I felt good of course (laughter).
-You have small hands, what's the secret of maintaining your high apm?
I have very small hands. When I started gaming I put in a lot of effort to raise my apm. Thanks to that, I have now have a slightly higher apm than most others. As for a secret method, maybe making light touches (laughter)
-You attended the Starcraft II demonstration event, how was it?
I think there is no big difference to Starcraft 1. The game was so much fun that I lost my sense of time (laughter). Unfortunately Mutalisk control doesn't work as it does in Starcraft 1.
-Who do you want to pick at the MSL group selection ceremony?
I haven't thought about it yet but I really want to make an interesting group.
-Are you confident about next week's game against Casy?
Because we have new maps it's a little difficult to predict, but I have practiced them whenever I had time and want to win very much. I know that I am behind in our personal record against each other.
-I would like to know about your famous Mutalisk control.
These days all the Zerg players do it well but only I seem to get attention for it. I am not doing anything different, I am mainly using hold and attack.
-Between 'God of Destruction' and 'Tyrant', which nickname do you like better?
I am sad that there are no other nicknames. I don't like both of them very much.
-Who would you consider your rival?
I consider KTF's Flash, who is showing the best results lately, my rival.
-Tell us an episode about your trip to Europe.
The weather changed a lot so I had a hard time. I have no special story to tell, but there was a lot to see, since all the people looked so different (laughter).
-How many games do play a day on average?
A little more than 30 games on average. When I play a lot, it can be more than 40 games.
-How were your grades at school?
I was just upper average. But of course my grades dropped from the point I started gaming.
-Was there a especially memorable fan or present?
I am thankful for every present. I remember all the fans who come to cheer for me.
-What's your plan for 2008?
The season is about to begin now and I want to do my best and win the championship. I also want to maintain my number 1 rank on KeSPA.
-How do you feel about meeting directly with your fans after such a long time.
I remember that also the last time I had a lot of fun and time went by very fast. I enjoyed it very much today. I am sorry that I couldn't answer all the questions. See you at Proleague!
-A word to your fans
Thanks to everyone for your time today. Please continue to cheer for me in the future.
Source: FiFo
Flash
+ Show Spoiler +
-You are the hottest player right now, how can one become so good at Starcraft?
I practiced and analyzed a lot, so my skill became good very fast.
-Is there a player you would like to face in MSL?
I don't have a player I specially want to face in MSL yet. But in the OSL I want to play GGPlay, who has denied my Royal Road. (Royal Road = Win starleague on your first time qualifying for it)
-That's surprising, everyone had expected you'd name Jaedong.
I have won against Jaedong 2 times so I don't have a big urge to play him again.
-How do you manage all the money you have won so far?
My parents manage my all savings.
-Is there someone you don't want to play against at all?
There is no such player yet. And if there were, I would have to fix it. No matter who you play, you always have to think that you can win.
-I'm curious about the results of the recent internal rankings.
Recently I have been losing mainly. Other players than me get 1st or 2nd often.
-How did you come up with your ID 'Flash'?
When I changed clans I felt sorry for my old clan and took their clan name for my ID. My old clan's name was Flash.
-What's the secret to win TvP?
It seems like it's just about expanding well and being good with vultures.
-What's the nickname you like the most?
I like 'the ultimate weapon' (최종병기) the best. I think it contains the meaning of something that is so good that it cannot get any better, so I am very happy with that. I am very thankful to the person who gave me this nickname.
-Do you play any games besides Starcraft?
No. Sometimes when I go to my hometown I play Sudden Attack (Korean CS clone). But very rarely. My rank is sergeant. Since I have an old account and I play very rarely, it's a pretty high rank. But I play really seldom (laughter).
-When did you decide to become a progamer? And what was the reason?
When I saw UpMagiC play in my first year of middle school, I fell in love with it and decided that I wanted to become a progamer.
-Are you close with any player of another team?
I'm close with Kal and Fantasy. We're in the same clan so we're friends.
-There's been a lot of talk that you resemble UpMagiC. Do you think so too?
I think I resembled him in the past, but recently I think I have changed a little (laughter). So right now, I don't really think so.
-Who would you consider your rival?
For Zerg Jaedong, for Protoss Bisu. There are many Terrans I haven't played yet so I don't know about Terran. In a past interview I did, it seemed like I would ignore (think lowly of) Terran players a bit, but I think there was a misunderstanding. It's just because I haven't played against many Terrans yet, that's why I have no rivalry with a particular player yet. Please don't misunderstand.
-Among the 'Girl's Generation' girls, who do you like the most? (Korean Pop group)
I like TaeYeon the best (laughter). (picture)
-What do you think was the most unfortunate loss of your career?
I think games 2,3 and 4 of the MSL quarterfinals against Jaedong were very unfortunate. If I had just played like I had during practice I could have won, but I took it too lightly and the games were turned around. I really regret it.
-Do you have special habits while playing?
I look sulky all the time (laughter).
-Do you have a girlfriend?
I'm still busy with gaming, so not yet. When I have the chance later, I will think about it.
-Whats your ideal type of girl?
I like cute girls. Someone like KooHyeSun. (picture, picture#2)
-Who's the player has influenced you the most when playing starcraft?
HerO and FireFist from WeMade. We had all night practice sessions together in the past.
-Do you have a special method to handle the stress from playing games?
I do sports or watch movies to get rid of stress.
-What's the last movie you saw?
I have watched and enjoyed Step Up.
-What do you think about Starcraft II?
I haven't tried it yet. I have no idea yet (laughter).
-If you were to predict the results for KTF vs SKT1, the opening match of Proleague?
We will win no matter what. If I get to play, I will practice a lot to make sure I'll win.
-What's your goal for this season?
My goal is to win Proleague and the MSL. If I can realize my goal, I could complete the grand slam, since I have already won an OSL, so I will try very hard.
-Do you think you can reproduce KTF's winning streak of 23 consecutive wins?
At that time there were also BO3's included so that was possible. I think 23 consecutive wins may be hard, but I think 10 are possible.
-How was it to do this interactive interview?
It's my first time doing such an interview over the internet so it feels very new. I would be happy if there's a chance to do this more often in the future.
-A word to your fans
Thanks for coming. I will make 2008 the year of KTF and Flash. Please watch over me.
Source: FiFo
Bisu
+ Show Spoiler +
-Who do you consider your rival?
For Protoss Stork, for Terran Flash and for Zerg Jaedong. But rather than rivals, I think of them as the players who do well right now.
-When do you think that you are looking good?
Hmm... am I not always? (laughter) I'm joking (laughter).
-The dance you showed at the MyeongRyeong Sports Festival was very impressive
I started practicing for it 3 days before the event. But I feel very embarrassed about it now. Please forget about the 'Tell me' dance.
-What is your secret for PvZ?
In the past I was very weak against Zerg. After losing a lot I researched and found a way to win. If practicing and analyzing replays a lot is a 'secret method', then that is my secret method. I think that's how I got these good results.
-In yesterday's interactive interview Hwasin mentioned that he would like to get to know you better.
I would like to get to know him better to, it's unfortunate that we never gat the chance to do so.
-If you play PvP's with BeSt (SKT1), who wins more games?
[...] I will just answer this with a smile. I can only say that BeSt is standing behind me and watching me type right now.
-I heard that PvZ is difficult on the new maps
I am always OK against Zerg. But there are some difficulties against Terran. But I am confident this season. Please look forward to it.
-There are many fans who want to see you playing Jaedong
I also want to meet him in MSL, I'm looking forward to meet him at the group selection ceremony.
-Is there a nickname you especially like among the many nicknames you have?
I don't think I have many nicknames. I have many bad nicknames, but I like 'revolutionist', the nickname you all probably know, the most. After hearing it a lot I have gotten used to it.
-Who is your best friend on SKT1?
I am very close with BeSt and Bul_T. We share the same room, we talk a lot and also play the same race, so we got close.
-How's the atmosphere compared to when you were on MBC Game, and have you been adjusting well?
At first there was noone I knew very well, so I was very quiet. But now I have gotten close with them so it's getting louder (in a good sense) and I'm getting along very well. There are no problems in regards of my former team.
-What was your most memorable game personally?
I remember the game on Katrina with sAviOr on OGN very well. I was in a very difficult position and could win the game. After winning I got the confidence that I could take the next game on fantasy as well.
-Is there female idol you like?
I like Lunmei Kwai from the recent chinese movie 'Secret'. I really liked the image she portrayed in that movie. (picture)
-On MBCGame Heroes you had to pay a lot of money for coming late, did you pay off all of it?
On SKT1 we don't have that, I still have to pay about 110$ to MBC. After I changed teams I met my old coach at an event match and he told me to pay my debts. But now it seems like he has forgotten about it. Actually I already paid a lot of fees before, it would be unfortunate if I had to pay again. (laughter)
-Please tell us about year ideal type of girl
I like sexy girls (laughter). I'm joking. I'd like a girl who treats me well.
-How much can you drink? There are rumors that Bisu even enjoys drinking during the day recently.
I don't know how much I can drink. There was one time when I drank a lot and was completely drunk, so I can't drink that much. And of course I don't drink during daytime!
-How do you like Starcraft II?
Personally I don't think it is very different from Starcraft I. The people who enjoy Starcraft I now will likely be able to adjust to Starcraft II very fast. It seems like Protoss has gotten better compared to now.
-How did you feel when you achieved your consecutive MSL victory. (GomTV MSL season 1/2)
In the finals of Season 2, Game 5, I was at a big disadvantage at first and until the end I wasn't sure if I could win this game so the moment my opponent surrendered, I remember I was very happy and was sweating like crazy. All in all it was a great feeling. I want to go back to that time. (laughter)
- What's your goal for 2008?
It's so hot these days so I want to GwangAnRi Beach in Pusan. My goal is 'going to GwangAnRi Beach'. (Proleague Grand Finals will be held there)
-When will you write in your gallery?
I plan to write there soon.
-How was it to do this interactive interview?
Time went by really fast. It's my first time doing this kind of live interview. I would like to do it again some time.
-A word to your fans
I am sorry that I couldn't answer all questions today. Proleague will start soon so everyone on our team is preparing really hard. I hope you are looking forward to it and will be cheering for us. Let's all meet in GwangAnRi!!
Source: FiFo
Source: FiFo
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