GOMTV StarCraft 2 Open Ro64 Day 2 - Live Report

13:50 - Thanks for joining us today. We will be back tomorrow, at 05:00 CET with more matches. Here are tomorrow's matches:

13:43 - Game two on Metalopolis, NaYa at '8 and HongUn at '12. Fast expansion for NaYa, HongUn goes forge first. Yup, we are definitely seeing an offensive cannoning at NaYa's fast expand.





***

Expansion going down, but NaYa sneaks out with zerglings and some drones, but HongUn is quick in defending his ramp with cannons and some probes. GG from NaYa. 2-0 to HongUn!

13:41 - HongUn wins the first game, due to the good Void Ray harass in the start that then transitioned into a Stalker push. NaYa could have been doing much better would he had creep inbetween his bases, as his reinforcing Queen was too slow to move in.

Game two starting!

13:36 - Protoss going for a Stargate, Void Ray just produced. Zerg has not shown much activity, aside from having expanded and having some zerglings out.

Void Ray moving out! Harassing the zerg's expansion. Queen there to defend, Void Ray against Queen ends like it uses to - Queen dies.

***

Two Queens are out now for NaYa, and can defend his expansion from the void Ray. being up ahead, the Protoss throws down some more gateways, and we're gonna see a Blink-Stalker attack.

13:34 - Game one has begun, on Delta Quadrant. We have HongUn top left as Protoss, NaYa as Zerg at bottom right. Hongun builds a Pylon at the ramp and then goes out to scout, finding his opponent early on.

13:30 - Last series of today coming up soon. NaYa against HongUn.

13:27 - Interview transcript with TheBestfOu:

AnyproPrime is well-known Protoss in Korea, You manhandled him 2-0. Did you think it was gonna go that easy for you?

- He doesn't think he's an easy opponent, but he tried telling himself that.

Your name is ThebestfOu, are you the best fOu? Do your team mates get angry at you when you win against them?

- Nobody gets angry for him because of the ID. He's about middle in the fOu team.

Does he name himself to something he wishes to be? Why did he name himself TheBest if he wasn't the best?

- He is using the name to become the best.

13:17 - An attempt to attack for the Protoss, trying to break through the bunker, but it just lives with red hp.



Wanting to finish it, Anypro moves back in, adding force fields around the bunker to avoid SCVs to repair, but it still didn't help for him to break the contain. Failing the attack, Anypro GGs.

13:14 - Game two, Anypro at '1, TheBest at '7.

***

Tech lab and second gas for the Terran, second gas for Protoss. Both players going worker heavy.

***

A stalker is out for Protoss, and some sentries on the way. Terran goes for a Starport with an attached Tech Lab (built from the Factory).

13:10 - One reaper, two marauder, one marine with a bunker rush to the Protoss' fast expansion. Could just be an early GG here. Moves in, kills of the Pylon before the zealots can move out of the waprgate. Whoa. 1-0 to TheBest.

13:07 - Game has started, and we have TheBest as blue Terran at '2, and Anypro as red Protoss at '12.


A little tip to Anypro from the audience.

13:01 - Third set of today coming up. Terran player TheBest against Protoss Anypro. Maps are gonna be Lost Temple, Steppes of War and Metalopolis.

12:58 - Interview transcript:

As one of the younger participants in GSL, how do you balance your studies and practicing?

- I practice after school, although my practice time is very limited, I try to make the best of it

What did you feel when you fell back over and over, and what did you do differently in games two and three to come back?

- I didn't do anything in particular differently, I only had my mindset to do my best and that's it.

12:53 - sCfOu takes the game and therefore the series. A recommended TvT to watch!



Lyn is out of the tournament, losing in the Round of 64 for yet another season.

12:48 - In what seemed to be a good tank drop on the expansion of Lyn, it turns into a terrible move from sCfOu as Lyn takes it out with marines and SCVs. Lyn now ahead in supply.

***

Lyn secures his third base, putting his forces at the middle. But sCfOu counter-attacks and moves in at the former destructible rock entrance. sC now inside Lyn's main base, taking out important buildings.

12:46 - Great drop from sCfOu on Lyn's expansion. Lyn now in the backwater, who was unable to move in with his tanks after that barracks lock. Tough times for Lyn now, sCfOu on the offensive.

12:42 - Lyn now has a crazy economy, and is getting a double barracks. He also kills off the destructible rocks, and instead sieges up to keep sC on his toes.

sC does a little marine drop in the main of Lyn, but fails. At the same time, sCfOu takes the lead by marching in with tons of siege tanks that kills off the siege tank contain at where the destructible rocks were previously. sCfOu now ahead.

12:39 - Lyn getting a Raven, and will now have a tough time for sCfOu's many more Vikings. "Lyn feels he can do a lot with a little," says Tasteless, while we see sCfOu going for more the bulky army type.

***

Lyn with an expansion up, a little bit ahead of fOu.

12:34 - We're going into game three, on Scrap Station. Lyn in the blue at 12, sCfOu as red at '2.

***

Both players going 2-barracks. Reactors for sC, Tech Lab for Lyn. Both players building Command Centers in their bases, and Starports.

12:30 - sC is now so far ahead in army count, mineral count. sC looking to starve Lyn out, or will he just move in for the kill?

***

Lyn seems bored, and goes for the offensive, 100 supply behind. Tanks sieges up, only to be killed by a marine drop from sC. GG from Lyn, 1-1!

12:27 - Lyn dropping on sC's fourth expansion, with a siege tank backed up by a repairing mule. SCVs repairing the Planetary Fortress, but are unable to keep it alive.

***

sC takes the top left island, and kills off Lyn's forces at the former fourth expansion.

12:22 - Lyn not doing any good drops to sC, but now has a fourth expansion up. Gearing up for a great macro position.

***

Lyn attacks, right after taking his fourth! Barely losing the fight. sC now ahead in supply, but Lyn holds a better economy.



***

sC now moves in to take Lyn's fourth. But thanks to a high-ground drop he holds it off. A second attack from sC, right where Lyn's units were not. sC expands, looking to take this game.

12:19 - sC now in a good position after having a go at Lyn's front. A contain with two siege tanks remain after Lyn having recovered with a nice Viking landing at the tank line.



***

Players taking their thirds. We're looking at a possible very long game.

12:17 - Strategical snipe-off by sC, taking out Lyn' Factory's Tech Lab with a Marine drop. Meanwhile, Lyn keeps pushing out with his Siege Tanks. Wants map control.

12:12 - The banshees are surprisingly not firing against the SCVs, and is instead pounding the supply depots.

Another Blue Hellion drop backed by four Vikings in sC's base. sC fends it off and now moves out with a superior army. Attacks at Lyn's doorstep, losing the battle.

12:11 - 35 to 21 SCVs in favour of Lyn. Those Blue Flame Hellions have severely damaged sC's mineral line. Banshee harass against Hellion harass.

12:04 - Second game, on Lost Temple. A map Lyn should recognize from WarCraft 3. Lyn down in the bottom as teal, sC as red at '9.

Both players doing some scouting, doing regular supply, barrack, orbital command, mule build.

***

Lyn putting up a Tech Lab Factory. Doing Blue Flame Hellion and a reactored Barracks pumping marines. sCfOu opting for banshees. Medivacs in the making for Lyn, he'll be dropping that Hellion/Marine troop.

***

Banshee for sC harassing Lyn's base. Drop on the way., dropping marines and sending the hellions right in. Marines sniping lots of SCVs before Lyn is forced to fall back.

12:00 - Another attack to the third expansion. Lyn once again takes it out. "I don't see why sCfOu hasn't left the game," Artosis wonders. Right after, fOu GGs.

11:57 - Lyn taking a fourth expansion, and is so ahead, and just keeps sending troop after troop to keep sC busy.

sC desperately tries to take his third, lifting off his Orbital Command from his main. sC now taking a defensive stand, desperate to get the expansion up.

***

Lyn moves in, tanks and marine/marauder force moving in, sC backs off the defense and lifts off.

11:53 - sCfOu feeling poised to take down the third base expansion of Lyn. Lyn sends troops down to defend and barely takes out the sieged tanks.

Crazy game, both players attacking from left to right. Lyn moving out with Marauder/Marine/Tank at sC's newly built expansion. sC lifts it off, trying to evade the attack. Lyn's many marines picks it off anyway.



90 to 135 in supply in favour of Lyn. Double drop and attack from Lyn! This could be the finishing blow.

11:51 - Another troop out from sC. Lyn has a sizable Viking/Tank/Raven force. Looks slick.



***

sCfOu parking in the middle of the map. Lyn has gotten a third expansion, in the bottom right. Gets spotted by sC, who's firing at it before the Planetary Fortress.

Lyn moves in to sC's main, but gets wiped off by sC's force. A few Vikigns remain in the base, flying around trying to pick off SCVs.

11:45 - Lyn expands, and goes for Marines/Tanks instead of the predicted Banshees. sC seems to be on par with the prediction, with a Banshee soon popping out.

***

Vikings on the way out from the Starport with Reactor. Also opts for some base defense with a missile turret. The banshee approaches the expansion, but is killed off by the two Vikings of Lyn.

Another banshee harass in Lyn's main, but Lyn holds it off with well placed scans and Viking usage.

Some aggression from sC now, moving out with his marine/2 tank troop. Lyn seems welll-defended though.

Lyn has excellent tank position and chases sC out. "Lyn totally outplaying sC so far," says Artosis. Couldn't agree more.

11:43 - Second gas for both players, Artosis calls banshees. sC's SCV inside Lyn's base, was able to see the tech lab just before the WarCraft 3 micro god helped him kill it.

Reaper on the way to scout sC's base as his SCV was quickly killed off at the initial scouting phase. This puts sC's Factory a bit ahead.

11:41 - Cross spots on Metalopolis, we have Lyn at the right, and sC to the left.

***

Identical builds so far, supply out and barracks half way done right now. SCVs moving out.

11:34 - June "Lyn" Park, one of the most accomplished WarCraft 3, is playing under Bless and will be going up against sCfOu in a couple of minutes.

Metalopolis, Lost Temple, Scrap Station. Terran versus Terran.

16-year-old Seung-Chul "sCFou" Kim against 24-year-old June "Bless" Park.

11:33 - Here's a writeup of the post-match interview with FruitDealer.



Your crisis management and combat micro was key throughout that series. Do you feel that Roaches are the best unit in Zerg vs. Zerg?

- He finds roaches the most stable. if you go banelings you can have banelings vs. banelings and you can have an unpredictable result.”

Following your result from Foxer last season, were you set to practice more ZvT? Are you looking forward to a rematch?

- He didn't especially practice ZvT because of that, he doesn't want to have his practice one-sided. He practices all the races evenly. Before he played against Foxer he didn't want to play because he knew Foxer was a good player. But after watching Foxer's play, he now thinks with little more practice he will be able to beat him. He welcome Foxer to the rematch.”

11:22 - FruitDealer showing proof of his stellar micro, fending off the attack with great drone control. Losing only one drone, we now see FruitDealer being heaps ahead in economy, and goes for a Roach Warren. Tosyad keeps pumping Zerglings.

***

Banelings on the way for Tosyad. Both players hitting each other at the same time. FruitDealer have great building placement, but the banelings of Tosyad exploded in the drone line of FruitDealer. Drone count back to even steven. Tosyad holds his ground in his own base.



Spine Crawler out for Tosyad. FruitDealer running inside with 9ish Roaches. Too many Roaches for Tosyad to handle. Roaches now inside the mineral line, picking off building after building, drone after drone. Roaches backs up to a wall, hindering Tosyad to surround.

Early exit for Tosyad to expect soon. Drones on the way from FruitDealer to humiliate. Tosyad GGs before they reach it.

11:19 - Game 2 is up, Jungle Basin. FruitDealer at '5 and Tosyad at '11. Overlords just crossing paths.



FruitDealer, feeling secure, goes for a hatchery-first expansion, while Tosyad just popped six zerglings. Tough start for FruitDealer.

11:16 Baneling Nest done for FruitDealer. Tosyad opting to tech, and throws down a couple of spine crawlers. A couple of banelings for Tosyad going inside, killing off a handful of drones. But FruitDealer's counter-attack with Roaches and several banelings, who overwhelms Tosyad.

One-sided game, FruitDealer shows his early outing in season two was a fluke. 1-0 to FruitDealer.

11:13 - Tosyad producing tons of Zerglings, opting for speed. FruitDealer has instead gone for Roaches, who's looking to do a timing attack soon.

***

A great Zergling/Baneling surround from Tosyad, severely hurting FruitDealer's roaches. But he fends off for now. More zerglings attacking at FruitDealer's main, but his roaches have blocked off the ramp. Roaches/Speedlings > Banelings/Speedlings, which is what FruitDealer seems to be going for. Yup, baneling nest up.

11:08 - Aaand, we're back. I'm Raistlin, I'll be your host for today. Make sure to have your popcorn and slushes ready, because the season one champion FruitDealer is entering the stage.

First map will be Scrap Station, in the Zerg versus Zerg between FruitDealer and Tosyad. FruitDealer spawns at 12, and Tosyad at 2. The Dealer is green, Tosyad red.

Both players with overlords in the base. Both players going for the exact build order, extractor spawning pool.

08:05 - BitByBit interview:

Q: You played against HayprO who's being a foreigner having quite a different style, how did you prepare for this?

I didn't prepare anything special just because he's a foreigner, I just used what I practiced against my zerg teammates”

Q: Game two on Scrap Station, you had a very interesting build order, how did you come up with it, and what was the aim of the raven?

As for the build, I came up with it myself when I practiced on the ladder. I made the raven for the auto turrets against banelings, a tank against banelings”

07:57 - BitByBit is now taking down the rocks between their bases. And now also brings his SCVs, marauders, SCVs, raven, auto turrets, banshee and marines taking out the army of HayprO, all the roaches are dead, no mutalisks are out, everything is going down, this is the end of the journey for HayprO, GG, 2-0 for BitByBit.

07:56 - The banshee gets 5 kills and survives. A spire is now being made for HayprO.

07:54 - A tech lab has been added to the factory, which was a trick-move by the Terran, very cleverly forcing HayprO into making a roach warren since he spotted the tech lab with his overlord. Though, he spots the starport as well, and is upgrading lair.

Terran is upgrading cloak, one banshee is out, and a Raven is being made. Two queens forces the banshee to back off for a while until it has cloak, though HayprO will be able to get an overseer quickly.

07:52 - Terran is making a second gas, so no rush this time due to the long rush distance. A standard 14 hatchery this time as well, though much safer than on Blistering Sands.

07:50 - The second game is on Scrap Station, first game on Scrap Station for today, and we have HayprO in the top position as the blue Zerg, and BitByBit, the red Terran in the lower position.

07:48 - GG from HayprO, 1-0 for BitByBit.

07:46 - BitByBit is now sending out a lot of SCVs, gets spotted by a zergling, marines and SCVs engaging one spine crawler and a queen, not a lot of zerglings, drones try to help. This looks bad for the Swede, and is yet again proving the 14 hatchery wrong yet again as the hatchery is about to go down.

07:44 - The hatchery and the spawning pool just finished for HayprO while BitByBit, not a protoss after all, my bad, is sending out marines, and is making his third and fourth barracks.

07:43 - The first game has started, it's on Blistering Sands with HayprO in the top right corner as the blue Zerg, and Bit in the bottom left as the red Terran.

07:36 - The next game is the Swedish and the non-Korean of the day, HayprO vs the third Protoss of the day, BitByBit.

07:35 - NewDawn interview:

Q: How does it feel to beat someone of RainBOw's caliber?

I don't think RainBOw is an accomplished (? - correct me if I'm wrong) player”

Q: What was that chicken all about?

No special meaning behind it, when I came out of my house this morning I saw someone playing with a rubber chicken, and I thought it would be a good way to celebrate a win”

07:29 - GG, 2-0 for NewDawn and IntoTheRainbow is out, the biggest upset of the tournament so far this season.

NewDawn twisted the head of this chicken after his win:

07:28 - A bunch of zerglings are being made, and morphing into around 12-14 banelings outside IntoTheRainbow's base, banelings engaging, busting the front, this is GG any second.

07:26 - Banelings blowing up the marines, zerglings chasing away the two remaining marines, NewDawn in a huge lead, will RainBOw leave GSL Season 3 already in the round of 64?

07:25 - Two spine crawlers are up at the expansion of NewDawn, Rainbow has a lot of marines though, and brought along some SCVs, baneling nest has finished and banelings are being made.

07:24 - Rainbow is basically all in, making two proxy barracks along with the two barracks he has in his base and is starting to move out with marines.

07:21 - The second game has started, it's Shakuras Plateau with the red Terran RainBOw in the bottom left corner, and NewDawn in the top right as the blue Zerg.

07:19 - NewDawn now attacking, killing off the marines with banelings, and the only thing left now is mutalisks and more zerglings coming in. And GG from RainBOw, a big upset from the two times semi finalist, IntoTheRainBOw (HopeTorture). 1-0 for the Zerg.

07:17 - A third base is being made for Zerg, while RainBOw is getting his second. Mutalisks almost catching the medivacs off guard.

Later, gets to kill one medivac and banshees, a ton of banelings are out, Rainbow is now attacking, but seems to be backing off, which is a wise decision. Zerg is definitely in this game.

07:16 - Banshees now in the zerg main, three of them right now killing off three queens.

The Zerg does have overseers, and managed to make 7 mutalisks before the spire went down.

07:14 - Rainbow is now making banshees from two starports, and cloak is being researched while the zerg player is upgrading his hatchery to a lair.

07:12 - Marines and SCVs moving out, but backs up to try to catch an overlord, and does kill it making the zerg supply blocked.

In the meanwhile a zergling got inside the Terran base, gaining a lot of intelligence.

Rainbow engaging now, kills another overlord, backing up, nice surround from the drones and zerglings, and holds off the attack nicely.

07:11 - We have an expansion going up for our Zerg player NewDawn, and a double barracks from Rainbow.

07:08 - The first game has started, on Metalopolis we have the red Terran on the far right side of the map, it's RainBOw, cross positioned from that we have the blue Zerg, NewDawn.

****

I'm getting more coffee now.

07:02 - The next game is between RainBOw (also known as HopeTorture), and NewDawn. When Tasteless says NewDawn it sounds like NudeOn.


IntoTheRainBOw (HopeTorture) vs NudeOn (NewDawn)

07:00 - NsP_Genius interview:

Q: What was going through your head when he broke your army in game one?

When I first saw Terran going all-in I felt confident I would win, but got surprised when my army died, but he overextended himself with the marines, and that was the key to my win”

Q: What information did you have that made you blink into the base and snipe the thor?

I upgraded blink on the blind, and once you upgrade blink you have to poke into your enemy's base, so I did.”

Q: Last season you were very confident you said you would go ahead and win it all, what are your goals for this season?

I know I wasn't able to keep my promise, but I will do my best this season”

06:54 - GG, and 2-0 for Genius, the second Protoss in the round of 32. A good day for Aiur so far.

06:52 - Genius' economy is so good, and our Protoss player is making gateways and what not, macroing up, dominating the game. There is no chance left for Libero, this will be our second Protoss of the day to advance into the round of 32.

Stalkers inside the main of Libero now, while the Terran is countering, but charged zealots cleaning it up very easily.

06:50 - One dark templar doing some harassment, but a scan reveals it, another dark templar in the base of Libero now, no scan ready yet.

This will eventually turn out to be another all-in for Libero, it's basically his only option left in this game.

06:49 - Genius blinking into Libero's base, killing a thor and backs up. We know how Genius' blink play is, and he proves it yet again to be good. Now making a Dark Shrine and an expansion.

****

Libero dropped a mule, wasting energy that could potentially scan a dark templar.

06:47 - Blink is being upgraded, and Libero changed his style from the first game, now going for a thor build.

06:45 - A standard opening from both players, Genius has the cybernetics core is up, chrono boosting a stalker from his gateway. A quick factory and a second factory is going up for Libero, an identical opening as the first game.

****

Twilight Council going up for Genius. Blink, charge or Dark templars?

06:44 - The second game has started, it's on Xel'Naga Caverns. We have NsP_Genius in the bottom left position as the blue Protoss, and Libero in the top right position as the red Terran.

06:41 - GG from Libero, Genius takes the first game, wipes his forehead with his hand, after the very intensive game. Libero smiles.

06:40 - One colossus is out, another one is soon done, thermal lance almost done, two sieged tanks, three banshees, marines and SCVs attacking now.

06:39 - The supply count is very close after that attack, but the Terran is now going for a second try, bringing another round of SCVs.

06:37 - A colossus is out, but Terran has cleaned up most of the protoss army, nice micro by Genius, killing off marines, colossus goes down, but the stalkers are cleaning up the rest, a nice hold from Genius actually who survives the attack.

06:36 - It's literally all-in for Libero, who is now bringing a lot of SCVs to the fight, now moving out, this might be tough for Genius actually as the point defense drone from the Raven will help a lot, three banshees, four tanks, a bunch of marines. Now engaging.

06:34 - The banshee is now engaging, at the expansion now killing a sentry, taking a few hits from the stalker, but survives and backs off. The Raven is out, the bunker at the ramp got salvaged.

Genius has an Immortal out, stalkers, and zealots. Three tanks are out for the Terran now, all relies on the upcoming attack from Terran, because he does not have an expansion, and no real follow-up to this push.

06:33 - A banshee, followed by a raven is coming up for Libero, while he's also making a siege tank and marines.

06:32 - A hellion is moving out, Genius is making three gates, a robo and a nexus.

06:31 - Nothing fancy going on, Terran getting the orbital command, Protoss getting the core.

****

Tastetosis reminded me with a story about the cafe on the map and the marines getting coffee there that I have to drink my coffee. The first cup got cold before I remembered to drink it, now it's still warm.

06:28 - The first map is Metalopolis, we have the red Terran Libero in the right side position, and across from that we have Genius as the blue Protoss on the left side position.

06:25 - The next match is between Genius and Libero. Genius being one of the favorites of the tournament, and definitely the favorite Protoss player.

06:19 - TSL_Rain interview:

Q: Earlier mech play was favored in TvZ, now it seems marine heavy builds are favored, why do you think it's that way?

After the patch, I think it's the only chance since the reapers are basically useless now”

Q: Are your dancing skills on par with your marines?

(laughs) I can't dance at all”

06:13 - Rain attacking, spreading his marines nicely, now moving into the main, there's not much left for the Zerg.

Rain made his units dance, dissing the Zerg player. GG, 2-0 for Rain and moves on to the round of 32.

06:11 - The spire is being made. Terran found the third base from DreamizEr, the hatchery is very low on health, but the zerglings and banelings are forcing the marines to retreat.

There are SOO many marines now.

****

Continuing the pressure on the third base, kills the hatchery, and the marines are still alive, getting flanked by lings and banes, but does not seem to care, as more marines arrive.

06:09 - The marines moving out does a lot of damage, killing of a lot of zerglings, before they eventually die to the banelings.

DreamizEr is now making a lair and is expanding at the 9'o'clock expansion. Rain is making a ton of barracks, making it a total of nine barracks.

A medivac is moving out, will be dropping the natural expansion of Zerg, but will have to retreat from all the bane- and zerglings.

06:07 - The banelings busts the front, killing off all the three structures walling in, but the marines are still alive. More lings coming up, being morphed into banelings, no lair yet. It's now or never for Zerg.

06:06 - It seems Rain will go for a marine heavy style, adding a reactor to his starport for medivacs, banelings now being morphed in and is now engaging. A lot of banelings!

06:05 - Two barracks and a factory is now walling up the main of Rain. Factory just finished, no lair yet for DreamizEr who's droning up and making a baneling nest.

06:02 - DreamizEr seems very focused, as he's making a 14 hatch, followed by three drones before the pool.

06:04 - The terran is also looking to fast expand, putting down his command center just now. We're looking to move into a macro style game.

06:01 - One hour has passed since the stream went live, we are on the second game of today's second matchup.

It's on Jungle Basin, TSL_Rain spawned at the bottom position as the blue Terran, and DreamizEr the red Zerg at the top position.

05:58 - The hatchery is just blood on the ground now, and GG from DreamizEr, Rain takes the first game.

Thus the loss, DreamizEr is still smiling, probably just happy to take part of this great tournament;

05:56 - Bunker canceled, spine crawler finished, the rush was not very affective, but his economy is still OK.

More marines now continue the harassment moving around the spine crawler. No gas for Zerg yet. Marines focus firing the hatchery, drones pulled off to stop the marines, but Rain just wisely backs them up, then moves back in there, this is looking bad for the Zerg as the marines do whatever they want.

05:55 - A two barracks build from Rain, vs a hatchery first for Rain will be scary for the Zerg. The drone is patrolling to prevent a block outside his ramp.

SCVs and marines on the way to the expansion, a spine crawler is going u as well as a bunker, marines, zerglings, drones, SCVs, bunker soon finished.

05:53 - The first map is Shakuras Plateau, the game is live and we have the blue Terran, Rain, in the top left position, and across from him in the bottom right, the red Zerg DreamizEr.

05:51 - The next game is between DreamizEr and Rain, a Terran vs Zerg.

05:45 - gGoBooGie interview:

Q: How do you feel about having a foreigner, TorcH, in your team to practice with, and do you have any comments from/about him?

TorcH is very Korean, more than I expected (the lifestyle etc), most foreigners have a very unique playstyle, and he's very unique in that way”

Q: Do you think a Protoss has a chance of winning this season?

With enough skill and a little luck it's possible”

05:41 - Psi storms and colossus made the bio ball of Rache disappear very quickly, a GG from the Terran, and Boogie advances to the round of 32.

05:39 - Boogie is doing everything right, not taking any risks, harassing with another dark templar, upgrading and teching up.

Rache seems to be eager to attack soon.

05:38 - Rache's scan reveals the secrets of Boogie about some of his colossi being hallucinations. Protoss backs up without taking any risks, this game is still somewhat on hold. Templars are out now, and a dark templar is doing some harassment.

An EMP reveals it and bio ball killed it.

05:37 - Rache takes out the rocks blocking his golden expansion, both players are just macroing up, Protoss is taking his third base while engaging towards the middle with a huge army.

05:36 - He saw the stalkers and backed off quickly. Three colossi are out now. Hallucination is being upgraded.

05:35 - Terran seems to be going for a drop, a medivac full of marines is heading for the protoss main, but stalkers are there waiting for him.

05:33 - The Protoss now has his expansion up, and got a lot of sentries outside the terran base to prevent him from leaving his base by using force fields, while Boogie takes a bigger and bigger advantage of the game, very safe play after the early pressure that killed the expansion.

****

A medivac moves out, but the newborn observer scouts it, Rache backs it up, but got his army outside his base now, and moving a new command center to the expansion.

05:31 - The command center goes down, this Protoss will confidently see the GG that will take him to the round of 32 unless a miracle happens.

05:30 - The protoss has now hidden a pylon to the right of the terran expansion, looking to take this game early by warping in reinforcements as he is now engaging. Three marines, and three marauders to defend it along with the SCVs.

Guardian shield, nice force fields, back and forth battle now.

05:29 - A tech lab has finished for Rache, a stalker is about to finish for Boogie. Terran now puts down an expansion.

05:26 - The second game is on Xel'Naga Caverns, the red Terran Rache in the bottom left corner, the blue Protoss Boogie in the top right.

05:23 - Boogie now moving out with three colossi with thermal lance upgraded, putting down nice force fields, cleaning up the terran army.

He is mopping the floor with this guy” - Tasteless

GG from Rache, and 1-0 for the Protoss.

05:21 - Terran now pushing out, also bringing a lot of SCVs, forcing the Protoss to cancel the expansion, and wisely backs up instead of trying to break the narrow ramp of a sentry protected Boogie.

****

Colossus out now, as well as an Immortal. Terran has defended up with four bunkers and now has a very strong economy.

05:19 - The Terran is double bunkering outside the natural without an expansion yet. Is he trying to trick the Protoss that he's expanding, or will he in fact expand?

The command center goes down, and he is in fact expanding, a decision made after he scanned the Protoss' newly put down nexus.

05:18 - It gets held off and both players are just sitting on their one base right now, but it looks as if the Terran wants to expand.

05:16 - One zealot is on the way for the Terran base, while the Terran is maknig a tech lab, and has only one marine to fend off the zealot with, now pulling out SCVs, one dies, and the marine dies, mule is down, another zealot arrives.

05:14 - The first game is live, it's on Steppes of War with the blue Protoss GgoBooGie in the top right, and the red Terran, Rache, bottom left.

05:13 - First game is between Rache and BoggieBoy, BoggieBoy being one of the few Protoss players in this tournament.

05:05 - We are live in the studio with Dan and Nick!

04:58 - White snow is falling down from the darkest skies, it's soon five in the morning and coffee is about to finish. Does it get any cozier than this? I think not, it's GSL time!

04:55 - Place your bets for today's matches, here are mine:

10 on GgoBooGie > Rache - GosuBet
10 on TSL_Rain > DreamizEr - GosuBet
10 on NsP_Genius > LiberoPrime - GosuBet
10 on RainBOw > NewDawn - GosuBet
10 on BitByBit > HayprO - GosuBet

Cheap bets, I know, but that's what I get from failing completely on yesterday's games. I'll see if I can win some minerals to afford betting on the rest of the games as well as the first games are played. Good luck with your bets, all!