After almost a month of play, we’re finally nearing the end of the road for the first GSL of 2011. The field has been whittled down to four players, four of the most respected competitors in the world.
Jinro vs. MarineKing
Through a season full of obstacles, Jinro has become the most popular player in the world. Although this has been true for almost two months now, his recent play against Idra and MC in particular has inspired a new confidence from his fans and perhaps from the player himself.
Even so, it seems that for this match the money is on the Terran MarineKing.
MarineKing, who defeated Jinro just a week ago on Xel’Naga Caverns, is known for his dangerous infantry-based play (focusing on, yes, Marines). His early aggression isn’t just potent, it’s smart and measured.
The fact that he is able to utilize Terran’s considerable early game weapons to such a degree makes him dangerous to all players (he just placed 3rd in the prestigious Gainward tournament) but the common perception is that he is especially dangerous to Jinro.
Jinro’s style of play is perceived to be focused on macromanagement and longer games. In fact, he has one of the highest average game times in this tournament.
However, Jinro’s play has become much more diverse over the last season. He was eliminated last year quickly and without much of a fight by a dominant MC. This year, he has demonstrated improved early game play including a clever and impressive (even if not completely successful) early Banshee push against MarineKing just last week.
Experience and results weight in MarineKing’s favor. MarineKing has played 33 TvTs to Jinro’s 4 and has a 150 Elo advantage over the Swedish Terran.
Don’t blink during the early game. A contest with MarineKing usually means fireworks within the first few minutes. Jinro’s steadily improving early game will be tested during this series.
If he can stand up to MarineKing’s overt aggression in the beginning, Jinro may very well be able to move on to the finals. If not, the Cinderella story may well be over for this season.
NesTea vs. MVP
Although Jinro’s match will probably have a higher viewership, this is the match that is being billed by some as the main event.
As of late, MVP has been dominant. He is currently boasting a 12 game winning streak, has the highest Elo in Korea and just won the Gainward tournament by beating NesTea 3-0 in the final set. It’s hard to argue with those results.
NesTea, GSL2’s champion and GSL3 quarterfinalist, is the only hope against Terran domination.
The Zerg's road here does not inspire great confidence from his fans nor himself. In the last ten days, he’s only played a Terran once. It was a game against Boxer which he was a split second and a little bit of bad luck away from losing. His other recent games against Terran include a 0-3 against MVP and a 3-2 against Bleach, a Code A Terran.
In a recent interview, NesTea stated that he hoped to avoid MVP because of his dominant play. Asked why he reached the semifinals, he attributed his advancing to a miracle.
Who can blame him? MVP’s winning percentage against Zerg (80%) is sky high and he hasn’t lost a series to a Zerg since October in GSL2 against Zenio. Korean fans are beginning to whisper a new nickname for MVP: Jung-Jong King.
If he’s able to defeat NesTea, there can be no doubt that he’s earned it.
