Before we depart for Poland, we sit down with Polish zerg superstar Nerchio for a lengthy chat. We talk 2012, his "unwritten" rivalry with Stephano, IEM Katowice, is Parting's PvZ beatable, Heart of the Swarm, GSL and quite a lot more.
Excerpt from the interview:
IEM Katowice is on the horizon as the first premier event for 2013 and you’re placed in what looks like another very tough to beat group with Stephano, YoDa and JookTo. Are you worried about the competition?
I think groups B, C and D are hard and A is a little bit easier so I wouldn’t want to say that my group is the hardest, especially if we consider that Stephano is doing a little bit worse lately. But as we all know, Stephano likes to surprise so I imagine he could come to Katowice and stomp everyone as he usually does in offline tournaments. I am not sure how good are Yoda and JookTo so I don't want to underestimate them and I will do my best.
Although there aren’t too many notable instances where you and Stephano had met each other (last time it was at DH Summer if I recall correctly), I feel that, in community’s eyes, there’s some sort of “who’s the best foreigner” rivalry between you. So far, he seems to be a step ahead in both direct encounters and in terms of popularity. Are you eager about playing him on home turf next week?
There might be some rivalry for the best foreigner title between us but until now Stephano has been easily beating me in that regard. Nevertheless, I don't feel like this is necessary a problem because I don't feel the need to be the best foreigner as long as I am at the top and I can compete with him. I will still consider him as any other opponent I have to face.
It also probably won't matter if I win more than him because community will consider him the best for a long time after his time passes. Unfortunately, that's how SC2 community works and there are too many fanboys rather than people who can objectively judge one’s results and skill level.
[...]
Speaking of Code S and foreigners, Stephano and HuK made it into the tournament. How far do you reckon they will go?
I am not really interested in GSL anymore as I was before so i can't really say. I don't even know their brackets but I think Huk will go out pretty fast and Stephano has a chance but in the long run I don't think he can go further than top four.
IEM Katowice is on the horizon as the first premier event for 2013 and you’re placed in what looks like another very tough to beat group with Stephano, YoDa and JookTo. Are you worried about the competition?
I think groups B, C and D are hard and A is a little bit easier so I wouldn’t want to say that my group is the hardest, especially if we consider that Stephano is doing a little bit worse lately. But as we all know, Stephano likes to surprise so I imagine he could come to Katowice and stomp everyone as he usually does in offline tournaments. I am not sure how good are Yoda and JookTo so I don't want to underestimate them and I will do my best.
Although there aren’t too many notable instances where you and Stephano had met each other (last time it was at DH Summer if I recall correctly), I feel that, in community’s eyes, there’s some sort of “who’s the best foreigner” rivalry between you. So far, he seems to be a step ahead in both direct encounters and in terms of popularity. Are you eager about playing him on home turf next week?
There might be some rivalry for the best foreigner title between us but until now Stephano has been easily beating me in that regard. Nevertheless, I don't feel like this is necessary a problem because I don't feel the need to be the best foreigner as long as I am at the top and I can compete with him. I will still consider him as any other opponent I have to face.
It also probably won't matter if I win more than him because community will consider him the best for a long time after his time passes. Unfortunately, that's how SC2 community works and there are too many fanboys rather than people who can objectively judge one’s results and skill level.
[...]
Speaking of Code S and foreigners, Stephano and HuK made it into the tournament. How far do you reckon they will go?
I am not really interested in GSL anymore as I was before so i can't really say. I don't even know their brackets but I think Huk will go out pretty fast and Stephano has a chance but in the long run I don't think he can go further than top four.
