A Terran has never won a GSL. Truth is stranger than fiction.
Although Terran has received the lion’s share of championships outside of Korea, the most hated race in StarCraft has yet to claim the game’s highest prize in three seasons of play.
That streak ends on Saturday, much to the consternation of Zerg, Protoss and even a few Terran players around the world.
NesTea, GSL 2’s champion and a Zerg hero, was the last of the non-Terran players to be knocked out in the semfinals against the number one ranked player in Korea right now: MVP. Meanwhile, MarineKing hasn’t played a non-Terran since the round of 32 when he beat the Protoss LegalMind twice to advance.
At the risk of making a gross understatement, this is a Terran moment. In every round, the Terrans have had the largest representation in the tournament as Zerg and Protoss traded second place back and forth.
Outside of GSL, the Terran elite have been winning and winning again. That trend seems to have finally hit Korea as MVP recently won the prestigious Gainward tournament by beating NesTea (3-0), MarineKing (3-1) and NaDa (2-0) to name but a few.
Saturday is the day that a Terran will finally kiss the GSL trophy. Who will stand on the stage in triumph?
In the blue corner, we have Lee Jung Hoon. MarineKing has advanced to the finals on the strength of his TvT. He’s 73% all-time at the matchup and has lost only once this season to another Terran (Jinro). His play is atypical, aggressive and versatile, making it very dangerous for any opponent. He came within a single game of winning the GSL in season 2 before it slipped away from him and into NesTea’s grasp. He’s one of the most accomplished players in the game.
And yet there is little argument about it: he is the underdog. Even as he has become one of the most skillful, well rounded players in the world, the odds are against him.
In the red corner stands Jeong Jong Hyeon. MVP is on the warpath. His TvT winning percentage is a disgusting 92%. In three seasons of competing, he’s never lost to a Terran in the GSL (and besides that, he’s lost two TvT games ever). In his last 28 major matches, he’s 25-3 including three wins over his opponent MarineKing.
MarineKing’s play has proven to be surprisingly diverse. Although his preferred bio-heavy style would at first seem to only work well in the early and mid game, he’s shown that he is competent in the late game. He knows how to take advantage of bio’s mobility and how to stab an opponent in pressure spots, to manipulate his enemy until the game is won.
However, MVP is the solid favorite for a reason. There is no chink in his armor - every aspect of his play is solid. He can handle adversity as shown in the semifinals against a defiant but futile effort from NesTea. His recent record is, for lack of a better word, impressive. If you’re MarineKing, the better word might be ‘scary’ - especially when you consider what happened the last time these two met.
This Saturday, a Terran will finally ascend to the throne. Who do you think will win?
