GOMTV2 MSL (곰TV MSL 시즌2 ) - Grand Final - Stork[gm] vs Bisu[Shield]
17:00 KST, Saturday 14th July, 2007
The report is mostly comprised of the writing of one of the most active news writers here at TL: GTR-2-Go!
After three months, ninety-one matches played and thirty players eliminated, it is time for the spectacular le'grand in the Finals.
This has the potential to be an incredible series. In the past, Protoss versus Protoss grand finals always produce extremely close, tense and exciting games. This matchup has only appeared in the finals twice before:
mycube OSL 2003 - Kingdom > Nal_rA 3-1
NHN Hangame OSL 2003/04 - Nal_rA > ZeuS 3-1
Both past PvP finals took place in OnGameNet’s tournament, however, making this the first PvP MSL ever!
Stork[gm] - 송병구 - Song Byung Goo - Samsung KHAN
Statistics: Overall 101-68 (59.79%), PvP 29-14 (67.44%)
Path to the Final
Round of 32 - Group E
Stork > Much @ Desperado
Stork > Sea @ Loki
Round of 16 - Bracket D
Stork < sAviOr @ Desperado
Stork < sAviOr @ Loki
Although Stork was eliminated at this point, Oversky (a winner in the round of 16) was immediately called for Korean Military service and could not compete anymore, thus MBC organised a wildcard round for all losers of the Round of 16 to fill the void.
Wildcard Round
Stork > Light @ Monty Hall
Stork > Nal_rA @ Monty Hall
Stork > XellOs @ Desperado
Round of 8 - Bracket A
Stork > 910 @ Python
Stork > 910 @ Desperado
Stork > 910 @ Monty Hall
Round of 4 - Bracket A
Stork > FirebatHero @ Loki
Stork > FirebatHero @ Monty Hall
Stork < FirebatHero @ Desperado
Stork < FirebatHero @ Python
Stork > FirebatHero @ Loki
Overall 11-4 (73.33%), vT 8-2 (80%), vZ 0-2, vP 2-0
Bisu[Shield] - 김택용 - Kim Taek Yong - MBCGame HERO
Statistics: Overall 59-34 (63.44%), PvP 11-7 (61.11%)
Path to the Final
Round of 32 - Group A
Bisu > Child @ Monty Hall
Bisu < Oversky @ Loki
Bisu > Freedom @ Python
Round of 16 - Bracket H
Bisu > Light @ Desperado
Bisu > Light @ Monty Hall
Round of 8 - Bracket C
Bisu > Hwasin @ Desperado
Bisu < Hwasin @ Python
Bisu > Hwasin @ Loki
Bisu < Hwasin @ Monty Hall
Bisu > Hwasin @ Desperado
Round of 4 - Bracket B
Bisu > Gorush @ Loki
Bisu < Gorush @ Python
Bisu > Gorush @ Desperado
Bisu > Gorush @ Monty Hall
Overall 10-4 (71.43%), vT 6-2 (75%), vZ 4-2 (66.67%)
Game 1 - Loki
Game 2 - Desperado
Game 3 - Python
Game 4 - Monty Hall
Game 5 - Loki
Stork thumbed down Desperado and Bisu thumbed down Monty Hall, which means neither map could be played twice
A ton of speculation has circulated as to why each player chose to eliminate the map that he did, and how each game would pan out. The reality is, both of these competitors are solid PvP players, and positional balance has not proven to be an issue in past games on these maps. This leaves it virtually impossible to predict how any of the games will play out. Seeing as Bisu thumbed down Monty Hall and he’s had some tough luck there from cheese builds, we may see an unorthadox build on that map from either player. Desperado has always presented a number of interesting one base possibilities as well, due to the double gas in the main. Other than that, prepare to sit back and take it in, because no number of SC experts could tell you anything more. The complete unpredictability of the players can be attributed to the fact that this is the rarest matchup in Pro SC, which is the most appealing part about it.
Statistically it’s easy to indicate who the better PvPer is. In the past 4 months Stork is 10-4 PvP. Bisu is 6-2 in the same time frame. Stork has played 43 televised games in this matchup, while Bisu has played only 18 in his career. To top it all off, Stork’s win percentage is 5% higher than Bisu’s in PvP.
But does that mean anything? According to our resident expert of all things Pro SC, DJEtterStyle... not really. BOs, position, luck, and psychology play such a large role in PvP success that either one could win it and it would surprise no one. I see that as the most appealing thing about this final. I will personally be watching it live and I hope the rest of you join me.