Okay, enough of that. It’s go time.
This MSL is starting off with a splash. Though there is heated debate among fans as to whether this is the group of death or simply a gathering of two top youngin’s about to put the hurt on waning old favourites, this group has certainly gotten the most attention due to name value alone.
Group A: Sept 13th – 18:30 Korean
Game 1 – Bisu (P) vs. Flash (T) @ Python
Game 2 – Nada (T) vs. iloveoov (T) @ Zodiac
Winners @ Blue Storm
Losers @ Blue Storm
Final @ Loki II
@ Python
This rematch between Bisu and Flash will mean a lot to Bisu fans. Flash cheesed his way past Bisu in 2 consecutive games to cheat the world’s best Protoss from his chance to win both majors in the same season. But for all it’s hype, will this match answer any questions? Flash is 3 and 0 against Bisu. However, 2 of those games were cheese and the other was on Arkanoid. In a similar light, Python is sporting a 38% PvT win rate and Terrans seem to be getting a handle on how to best play it. 9 of the last 10 PvTs on Python were taken down by the Terran.
Balance issues aside, this match will be pivotal in securing a spot out of this group. Neither of these players want to go up against a veteran in a must win situation.
@ Zodiac
On the surface this seems like an appealing battle between two classic Terrans. Well here’s a dose of reality for all you Nada fans... Lee Yoon Yeol hasn’t managed to steal a game from Oov since 2004. They aren’t all old games either, seeing as Nada just lost to Oov again in the recent proleague all-star games. All in all, this is a safe bet for the gorilla, who never seemed to have a problem putting Nada in his place. But who knows? Nada might manage to take this one, just to get swept by Oov in the quarters.
Every one of these Terrans has terrifying TvP when they want to and Bisu has always shown a weakness in the matchup. This will be a true test of his chops. Bisu isn’t under quite as much pressure as these other players though. Flash didn’t manage to do anything with his triumph over Bisu in the last OSL and has something to prove as the new season begins. Nada and Oov on the other hand, are battling for relevancy in a scene full of young stars that have seemed to surpass their elders by leaps and bounds. I’m sure all of the old schoolers will be pulling for Nada, or even Oov, but regardless of who makes it out, it is certain that they will deserve it. This is anything but a friendly first group.