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[GSTL] Round Two - Day One Preview
June 14th, 2012 13:19 GMT
Table of ContentsGroup A, Day OneIntro LG-IM vs Fnatic RaidCallPreview Check out the GSTL on Liquipedia
The initial round of games is over, and we've moved on to what GomTV has dubbed "the pennant race." But no need to be confused, it's just another pair of double-elim, four-team group stages to decide which four teams will make it to the final bracket of the tournament. The opening match features the newcomers Fnatic RC facing a massive challenge in reigning champions Prime, a match that could end very poorly for the British backed Koreans if they don't bring their A-game.
by NrGmonkWhere They StandTwo seasons ago, Prime disappointingly lost in finals of the GSTL to only two of MVP's weaker players in Noblesse and Keen. In that series, Prime fielded a lackluster lineup filled with almost no big names, backed by a falling star in MKP. Prime's lineup simply looked incomplete and some wondered if it was a huge fluke that they made it to the finals in the first place. But now with the rise of Maru, the return of Ghostking, the continued improvement of Creator, and the meteoric ascent of MKP, Prime has finally become a true championship team. At the moment, they are absolutely on fire. To their names, they hold the current GSTL title, the current IPL TAC title, and the current KSL title. The three arguably most difficult team leagues in the world have all been completely monopolized by this once struggling team. If that doesn't cement their position as best team in the world, I don't know what will. Fnatic RaidCall comes into the war as a heavy underdog. They surprised everyone when they took out LG-IM, a team with legendary players and a favorite to take this season's championship. Everyone had pegged FntaticRC to drop out in the first round with a 0-2 score, especially after fellow "foreigner" team Liquid dropped out after a very underwhelming performance. But FnaticRC showed they had more in common with the Korean teams than foreigner teams. The whole team lives in a team house, practicing together in Korea, and has been for some time. In addition, a majority, five out of seven of their players are actually Korean. Fnatic has chosen a unique way to raise a pro-gaming team, and from recent results, it seems to be working well for them. Key PlayersPrime: Creator, Ghostking, Maru, BBoongBBoongPrime fans have a lot to be excited about on every single game day: Prime's MVP could end up being any one of many players. While MKP is Prime's best player and is always willing to play in clan wars, he gets the most kills for Prime in perhaps only one third of the matches. In terms of pounding out those wins, Creator is probably Prime's most important player. Known for his consistent and solid macro play, Creator almost rivals MKP for Prime's Ace. Maru is an extremely streaky threat, and he has all-killed twice in team leagues including once against Startale in the KSL. Ghostking, in his debut GSTL match for Prime, took the win for them from a 2-4 deficit against Startale. Even B4, though he doesn't show his best play in the GSL, is solid as Prime's main Zerg option in team competition. If we've learned anything from the past GSTL seasons, it's that teams with a strong core of players tend to do better than teams with just a few strong individual league players (ahem, IM). And Prime's five man core exemplifies this principle more than any other team. As teammates, Prime members know that even when any individual fails, there will be four very capable players to pick up the slack. FnaticRC: ByuL, MoonFnatic's recent success in team leagues comes not from their aces, Alive or Oz, and not from their foreigner Protosses, but from their two relatively unknown (in terms of results and skill) Zergs. In fact, all eight of Fnatic's wins this season have all come from these two players, ByuL and Moon. But still, 2 matches is a small sample size and this may not be a true gauge of their skill. ByuL, for instance, did worse at the MLG Spring Championships than all of his teammates who went, even Rain, who's been on an incredible losing streak lately. Moon also has basically no other recent results other than his GSTL performance. What we do know, however, is that both players have talent (in the case of Moon, enough to be one of the greatest Warcraft III player of all time), the potential to do serious damage to any team, and should not be underestimated. Aces: MarineKingPrimeMarineKing is perhaps not the ideal Ace. Compared to some aces from some other teams, he is rather unpredictable in team leagues. Most often, MarineKing contributes one or two wins. Sometimes, he doesn't win at all. Sometimes, and often in important circumstances, he actually delivers his full potential. At last season's GSTL finals, he 4 killed Startale to close out the series and more recently, he all-killed Startale in the KSL finals. And last week, MKP only placed third at MLG Spring Championship. Only third? Most players can only dream of placing third at an MLG, but for MKP, third is a disappointment. Third is almost a washout for a player who has won two MLG championships and barely missed out on a full sweep in his past three MLG events. Alicia beating MKP in the losers' bracket finals might have well have been the biggest surprise of MLG weekend. For even great players and champions like MC, Leenock, or Alive, it's not a huge surprise if they place sub top 10, but for Marineking, this would be a travesty. This is a testament to how much we have come to expect from MarineKing. For a player who is in contention for the title of best player in the world, we expect the best in the world. FnaticRC: aLive and OzAlive and Oz are called aces, because they have the best individual league results on their team, reaching the round of 4 and 8 in the GSL respectively. In fact, both players also placed higher than Byul at the recent MLG. But you might not know that from their GSTL results, as their combined record is a whopping 0-3. If their team is to advance any further, both Alive and Oz will have to really step it up. Both have proven that they're not completely slumping at the recent MLG, but neither is really taking the initiative to bring it to the next level. Hopefully, against Prime, these two will each manage at least one kill to earn their keep. Prediction:Prime is a strong team, no doubt about it, but no player actually looks invincible, not even MarineKing. Fnatic has also shown that they have at least four solid players, capable of taking games from the best. And from the English casts, we have learned that Fnatic is a very strategical team, researching their opponents' players beforehand and preparing sniping players for each of them. Last month, I wouldn't have given Fnatic much of a chance, but now that they've shown the ability to beat teams and the slightly greater depth than I though they had, it's not inconceivable that this matchup could turn into a very close slugfest. Still, you've gotta go with the team that's the unified champion of the world. Prime 5 - 3 Fnatic Writer: NrGmonk. Graphics: Pathy. Editor: Waxangel.
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Goodbye FnaticRC. MKP gonna get 3 kills I think.
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Moon all kill. It is time.
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Nice hypeup and analysis. Moon is an interesting player to watch. Ever since he switched to SC2 completely from playing WC3 and SC2 simultaneously, he has slowly gotten better.
Absolutely sure Prime will take the series either way, though.
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. I'm with you, bro!
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. This! Would be super super super awesome :3
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Canada16217 Posts
GhostKing all kill. Fnatic doesn't stand a chance IMO.
PS GhostKing should be on the ace list for Prime.
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. Since I'm a huge fan of Moon since 2006, I would just love that!
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opterown
Australia54649 Posts
some mistakes: -ascent, not accent -maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol -oz is a ro4-er?
-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo
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But now with the rise of Maru, the return of Ghostking, the continued improvement of Creator, and the meteoric accent of MKP, Prime has finally become a true championship team. At the moment, they are absolutely on fire. To their names, they hold the current GSTL title, the current IPL TAC title, and the current KSL title. The three arguably most difficult team leagues in the world have all been completely monopolized by this once struggling team. If that doesn't cement their position as best team in the world, I don't know what will.
Cmon guys, especially you, Waxangel. Ascent, not accent.
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On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: -mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo
I think 'ace' isnt played last in all-kill format, you can see this trend in almost all teams.
On June 14 2012 22:39 FalleNFOX wrote:This! Would be super super super awesome :3
Playing his games from DreamHack?
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opterown
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On June 14 2012 23:12 Nuubie wrote:Show nested quote +On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: -mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo I think 'ace' isnt played last in all-kill format, you can see this trend in almost all teams. Show nested quote +On June 14 2012 22:39 FalleNFOX wrote:On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. This! Would be super super super awesome :3 Playing his games from DreamHack? the 'ace' was a term taken from SPL i believe, where the ace is the final player. may have changed with winner's league format though haha
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Prime definitely got this.
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opterown
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and hrmm moon tod and nightend all at dreamhack, soooo fnatic's roster is not even five? o.O unless they use their academy dudes.
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Moon probaly wont be there since he is in dreamhack
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On June 14 2012 23:29 opterown wrote: and hrmm moon tod and nightend all at dreamhack, soooo fnatic's roster is not even five? o.O unless they use their academy dudes.
byul alive oz rain departure ares were on the bench last week
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Expecting more ByuLshit today, Fnatic upset coming up.
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opterown
Australia54649 Posts
On June 14 2012 23:35 LeLfe wrote:Show nested quote +On June 14 2012 23:29 opterown wrote: and hrmm moon tod and nightend all at dreamhack, soooo fnatic's roster is not even five? o.O unless they use their academy dudes. byul alive oz rain departure ares were on the bench last week prime only reallyyyyy has three players to worry about then. no moon is a fairly large blow i think.
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. haha please make this happen
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On June 14 2012 23:44 AgentChaos wrote:haha please make this happen
he won't play, he's attending DH
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On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: some mistakes: -ascent, not accent -maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol -oz is a ro4-er?
-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo
Oz made Ro4 in 2011 GSL November, losing 2-3 to Jjajki.
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opterown
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On June 15 2012 00:04 Hiea wrote:Show nested quote +On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: some mistakes: -ascent, not accent -maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol -oz is a ro4-er?
-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo Oz made Ro4 in 2011 GSL November, losing 2-3 to Jjajki. that's what i meant, the article said he was a ro8'er :D
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Seeker
Where dat snitch at?36671 Posts
Dat write up.
Loved it as always. Thank you guys!
PRIME GONNA DO THIS!
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im not sure why author claims mkp as ace, esp as "not the best ace" Ace of prime is creator who is like 15-1 or so when picked last
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it will be pretty hard for fnatic without moon. but go fnatic.
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mkp reverse all kill gogo
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Hehehehe I get to watch this live. Gonna try to get some pictures with the Prime lineup. ^^ Nerd paradise.
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Fnatic's gonna open with Moon, he'll get 3 kills and then either Creator or MKP's gonna all kill Fnatic ... me thinks
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I actually can't believe Fnatic let's Moon go to DreamHack when they have an important match like this is GSTL and Moon is one of the 2 players that have actually gotten them any wins.
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time.
This is what i want.
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Fnatic is overrated i think. Prime will not lose more than 1 or 2 sets imo
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Holy... what a Zerg rampage...
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ByuL beat MarineKing 2-0 in the KR TSL4 qualifier, so I think Fnatic has a really good chance to win.
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On June 14 2012 23:12 Nuubie wrote:Show nested quote +On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: -mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo I think 'ace' isnt played last in all-kill format, you can see this trend in almost all teams.
Yes, that is a trend, but not necessarily the definition of the word. The ace imo is just the person who consistenly gets a lot of kills, whether they are sent out last or not is up to the team. Now, I'm not going to debate whether MKP or Creator fulfills that role more, but that is what I personally think the definition is.
Of course, you usually want to play your ace last or near the end because you want your lesser known players to try and tough it out and see how you do, but other teams who want to be more "safe" may play them earlier.
For example, in the KSL Grand Finals, Prime and StarTale both played their "aces," Bomber and MKP ("But hey, Bomber isn't the ace" - that's debatable, because the ST house still says he is) first.
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so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously.
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On June 15 2012 03:42 Schelim wrote: so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously. oGs disbanding, all the partnerships, tons of players not available when their team plays...I honestly can't take the whole team league serious anymore.
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On June 15 2012 03:42 Schelim wrote: so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously.
Only ToD and NightEnD are going, so it's not a big deal.
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Fnatic could use their zergs
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On June 15 2012 04:56 GeorgeH wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 03:42 Schelim wrote: so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously. Only ToD and NightEnD are going, so it's not a big deal.
Moon is going as well.
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On June 15 2012 05:35 Schelim wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 04:56 GeorgeH wrote:On June 15 2012 03:42 Schelim wrote: so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously. Only ToD and NightEnD are going, so it's not a big deal. Moon is going as well.
He isn't.
http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/2012_DreamHack_Open/Summer
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United States8476 Posts
On June 14 2012 22:55 opterown wrote: some mistakes: -ascent, not accent Yep
maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol KSL too
-oz is a ro4-er? Yea, I thought so as well, but liquidpedia told me otherwise.
-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo It's more fun to talk about mkp.
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On June 14 2012 22:37 Elem wrote:I'm with you, bro!
I'm with you guys, first symbol, now monster, it is time for the moon to rise once more...
being a terran player i'm a little sad though lol, dat zerg <3
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Both Alive and Oz have reached Ro4 in Code S.
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PRRRRIIIIIME! MKP/Creator/Byun 3hit combo way outclass a moon-less fnatic. No nightend/tod either hurts as well I suppose. Thier only strong players are Byul, Oz and Alive and Prime has the depth to get snipers trained for at least Oz and Alive. Add the fact that MKP, Creator and Byun can all go on a tear and 3-4-5-kill, fnatic has no chance.
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United States97248 Posts
Maru all kill. Team league all star!
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On June 15 2012 05:38 GeorgeH wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 05:35 Schelim wrote:On June 15 2012 04:56 GeorgeH wrote:On June 15 2012 03:42 Schelim wrote: so erm... like half of fnatic won't even be able to play cause of dreamhack? kinda sad to see none of the teams really take GSTL seriously. Only ToD and NightEnD are going, so it's not a big deal. Moon is going as well. He isn't. http://wiki.teamliquid.net/starcraft2/2012_DreamHack_Open/Summer
oh, thank you. well that's great for the GSTL but now dreamhack just got a lot less interesting to me after finding out that Moon and Goody aren't playing. lol there's just too many tournaments lately.
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It's all about one man: MKP.
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I think it's unfair to say IM is not a team with a lot of strong players, they have 8 players in code a/s.
then you have poor yonghwa who is cursed to stay in code b forever but is really good
+ Show Spoiler +just all-killed in IPL tac yesterday
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On June 15 2012 07:45 zmansman17 wrote: It's all about one man: MKP.
You're right MKP = Moon kills Prime.
Atleast I hope so!
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I would love to see someone finally be able to defeat Prime. A partial foreigner team would be a nice touch to do so. As long as at least send out a foreigner -.-
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On June 15 2012 08:12 Dodgin wrote:I think it's unfair to say IM is not a team with a lot of strong players, they have 8 players in code a/s. then you have poor yonghwa who is cursed to stay in code b forever but is really good + Show Spoiler +just all-killed in IPL tac yesterday He's like PuMa, lol.
I used to really dislike PuMa's style, but I've got to say that I've started feeling really bad for him when he failed in the qualifiers for the umpteenth time.
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I spoke to Hwanni last week at MLG, he said he's nervous about this week's GSTL. "Prime's a very strong team"
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Should make for some entertaining games tonight. Oz vs MKP would be amazing. As a Prime fan though, I'm a little bit worried about the possibility of aLive sniping MKP.
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Canada16217 Posts
On June 15 2012 09:04 bLecK wrote: Should make for some entertaining games tonight. Oz vs MKP would be amazing. As a Prime fan though, I'm a little bit worried about the possibility of aLive sniping MKP.
aLive's TvT hasn't been as good as it use to, I wouldn't worry too much.
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opterown
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On June 15 2012 03:21 plasmidghost wrote: ByuL beat MarineKing 2-0 in the KR TSL4 qualifier, so I think Fnatic has a really good chance to win. with a six pool and a seven pool....
On June 15 2012 05:39 NrGmonk wrote:Yep Show nested quote +maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol KSL too Yea, I thought so as well, but liquidpedia told me otherwise. Show nested quote +-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo It's more fun to talk about mkp. what was the other all kill? o.O oz is defn a ro4'er and i can't find maru's other allkill haha :D but great writeup as always~
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But.. isn't Prime's offical Ace Creator rather than MKP ?
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Prime, the toughest team, gets the easiest ticket into the next round. That's not really fair, lol
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United States32511 Posts
On June 15 2012 08:49 neoghaleon55 wrote: I spoke to Hwanni last week at MLG, he said he's nervous about this week's GSTL. "Prime's a very strong team"
they're kinda the defending champions D:
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opterown
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On June 15 2012 12:04 Waxangel wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 08:49 neoghaleon55 wrote: I spoke to Hwanni last week at MLG, he said he's nervous about this week's GSTL. "Prime's a very strong team" they're kinda the defending champions D: and have won every single team league this year :D
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On June 15 2012 13:28 opterown wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 12:04 Waxangel wrote:On June 15 2012 08:49 neoghaleon55 wrote: I spoke to Hwanni last week at MLG, he said he's nervous about this week's GSTL. "Prime's a very strong team" they're kinda the defending champions D: and have won every single team league this year :D
>_>;;
I hate you opter... lol
DRG's in peak shape this time, Prime's going down! :D
good luck to Hwanni's team today though. Hwanni is such an incredible man. I'm glad I got his sig.
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opterown
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On June 15 2012 13:35 neoghaleon55 wrote:Show nested quote +On June 15 2012 13:28 opterown wrote:On June 15 2012 12:04 Waxangel wrote:On June 15 2012 08:49 neoghaleon55 wrote: I spoke to Hwanni last week at MLG, he said he's nervous about this week's GSTL. "Prime's a very strong team" they're kinda the defending champions D: and have won every single team league this year :D >_>;; I hate you opter... lol DRG's in peak shape this time, Prime's going down! :D good luck to Hwanni's team today though. Hwanni is such an incredible man. I'm glad I got his sig. drg is definitely not unbeatable, i'd say he's around mkp level in team league (he is favoured in the head to head though). creator also has drg's number. still, looking forward to the match!
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On June 14 2012 22:30 Amestir wrote: Moon all kill. It is time. !!!
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I can't help but love MKP's badassery in that team pic haha. I don't know who to root for! :o Prime's lineup is hella scary though.
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On June 15 2012 11:19 GhandiEAGLE wrote: Prime, the toughest team, gets the easiest ticket into the next round. That's not really fair, lol That's what IM said as well ^^
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On June 15 2012 05:39 NrGmonk wrote:Yep Show nested quote +maru has allkilled once only? unless you spoiled a result and maru allkilled liquid in IPL TAC 3 lololol KSL too Yea, I thought so as well, but liquidpedia told me otherwise. Show nested quote +-mkp is very rarely send out last, creator is possibly a better 'ace' option in terms of the word. most valuable player is mkp, but 'ace' is creator imo It's more fun to talk about mkp. NrGMonk, I love your writing, and I especially love the contrast between your awesome, well thought-out, well-researched newsposts and this sort of brusque, to-the-point response. Keep up the good work!
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MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!
sorry, had to
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Canada16217 Posts
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On June 15 2012 20:55 NovemberstOrm wrote: Creator is a monster!!! ^yes but Moon's games were more impressive IMO
especially that baneling landmine holy shit
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Holy batman can't believe Fanatic won. Mostly down to Moon's incredible run and MKP dropping the ball I think. Alive did well to get the victory - a lot of pressure going up against B4 in that kind of situation.
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MarineKing has fallen But Terran is still aLive
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Moon kill the best player of prime!
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Thanks for the preview! This season of GSTL has been so good! :D
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opterown
Australia54649 Posts
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On June 16 2012 01:24 opterown wrote: T_T T.T DANCE? oh god too much ForGG stream. Anyways really surprised with moon! i only watched his first match because i fell asleep but i didnt expect for him to do so good?
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why are you surprised with Moon especially after the games he showed versus TSL. You probably don't follow him and don't know who he really is.
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On June 16 2012 01:36 zazone wrote: why are you surprised with Moon especially after the games he showed versus TSL. You probably don't follow him and don't know who he really is.
I know who moon is and i did watch those games. His ZvZ was very good, but i just didnt expect him to beat two of primes amazing players + Show Spoiler +
Trust me ive been waiting for Moon to focus on SC2 full time since his early GSL seasons.
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Only way FnaticRC can win is having Oz or Alive in god mode
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On June 16 2012 06:46 Z.Aether wrote: Only way FnaticRC can win is having Oz or Alive in god mode
or moon... takes out MKP/Byun and bbongbong? or something like that, first 2 were all that counted. He's a badass mofo
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On June 16 2012 06:46 Z.Aether wrote: Only way FnaticRC can win is having Oz or Alive in god mode they got Moon to Kill the best Terren players of Prime: MKP &Byun
So alive just need to close the door is enough...
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