Tonight, the finals for the OnGameNet Star League were played between the mighty Terran Flash, and the vengeful Protoss Stork.
These two beasts met once before in a finals situation: the GOMTV Star Invitational, and they once again went head to head for another title. The OSL is one of the top leagues in all of the StarCraft scene; winning the title gives you not only bragging rights but also a fat paycheck! So you can imagine how much Stork wanted to win this one after falling to Flash at the GSI. Here is a short review of the games that were played tonight for your enjoyment.
Game One
The first match was played on
Blue Storm, a very popular map amongst the Korean leagues lately. Flash landed at the top right position with Stork at the opposite bottom left. Both opened with a rather standard build; it looked to be a game of attrition from the start since both of them opted for a somewhat fast expand build. Stork teched to reavers while Flash went with a 2 factory expo move pumping some marines, vultures and tanks. Stork tried to use his reaver for some SCV harass but ended up killing a few Goliaths then losing both the Shuttle and reaver. If you have ever played Blue Storm, then you know that there are two entrances to ones base; a small choke, and a large ramp. Well Flash clearly knew this and used it to his advantage, setting up a fantastic push right outside Storks natural. He used his barracks to scout the expo and take out some probes, but Stork was quick enough to take it out and it seemed he had a chance. But Flash was able to keep the Nexus scouted and take it out. His macro kicked in and Stork was forced to type out GG! 1-0 for Flash.Game Two
This game was played on the highly Protoss favored map
Katrina. They were at opposite top and bottom positions Flash on top, once again Stork opted for a fast expansion build with 1 gateway and a core warping in. He sent his scout to see what Flash was doing and failed to notice an all out dual Barracks proxy in the middle of the map. Flash sent about six SCVs with the same amount of Marines to Storks base and set up a bunker rush. Stork was caught so unaware that he was unable to even get a Dragoon out before typing his GG and running into the back to consult with his coaches. 2-0 for the Terran from KTF now.
Game Three
Storks last chance for redemption came on
Troy; a rather odd map with two assimilators that can be destroyed to block you in (or out) of your base. They both started on the right hand side of the map. Flash spawned on top and Stork spawned in the lower base. Flash went with the standard barracks to factory build, and began to pump marines after seeing a lone zealot heading his way. Stork pulled off a fairly decent rush and was able to kill off most of his marines he then began to attack the neutral assimilator out side of the Terran base. Hoping to trap Flash inside while he went with a fast expansion once again. The attempt was quickly stopped by a few marines and a tank pushing the dragoons back down his ramp, but not before they picked off one tank. Flash threw up an extra 3 factories and began to pump units en masse. Stork saw him pushing out of his base aand rode out to the middle with eight or so dragoons, hoping to stop him before he could get some mines down at his base. Stork was pushed back into his base, losing nearly all of his dragoons right away to the Terran monsters excellent micro. He used his probes to take out a few tanks with dragoons backing him up; unfortunately, he was pushed back into his base where he was slapped around with some great vulture micro and mine placement. Stork tried to hold out as long as he could, but was forced to give the title to the fifteen year old player Flash.A Sad Day for Aiur
Once again, Stork faced Flash in a very tense situation and was unable to stand up to the pressure. He choked once more and fell to his all to comfortable second place spot, while the new comer Flash was able to keep his cool, playing like a true champion. Stork was once believed to be the number one Protoss after he won WCG 2007 and went on to play very well in the leagues. But no more; he has fallen from grace for the time being and will really have to work to come back.
