SaviOr in Final Round of GOM Classic

As the final weeks of the GOMTV Averatec-Intel Classic come to a head the beloved Maestro of the Zerg has made a heartening comeback.

The GOM Classic is one of three tournaments in Korea right now, well one of three major tournaments. It has been the showcase for most teams newer talent, giving them a chance to prove they deserve a Pro League seat or a chance at an OSL. But the tournament has been host to many of the older "Legends", such as NaDa, Much, Nal_Ra, Yellow, rising champ Flash, and #1 KeSPA Jaedong. Also one Zerg player who you might recognize....

Ma Jae Yoon, A.K.A. sAviOr the Maestro of Zerg, in 2006 and 2007 he was the most dominant player in the history of the game. Taking down the best players that the current scene had to offer, and winning three MSL titles while at it. He then went into a terrifying slump most noticeably in 2008 when he began to lose to "amateur" pros who would have been sunken fodder 6 months ago. Where had the Savior gone? Would the Maestro conduct no more?

The Resurrection?

Still to early to tell if Ma Jae Yoon will become anything close to what he once was, but there is a slight reminder of how he was then. In his first match of GOM Classic he went up against rising Protoss player Chief, it appeared the Savior was not ready for him the first game and lost to go on with a 0-1 deficit. He then defeated Chief two straight games to advance to the next stage, where he met TosKy and walked away with a 2-0 victory.

Although Ma Jae Yoon has faced relatively easy opponents and cleverly dodged players like Hwasin, Flash and Jaedong, he still shows some promise and potential for winning this tournament. His play has been consistent at best and downright disheartening at worst, but this three time MSL champion has shown that he has fight, which is probably the most important thing for him right now.

GOM Classic Ro16

sAviOr

fOrGG

Violet

YoonJoong

Jaedong

JangBi

Lomo

oDin

Time for Some Elbow Greese!

The tournament has boiled down to its final sixteen players, and now Savior cannot move around his more formidable opponents now he must go through them. First facing fOrGG (seen as Never on the GOM bracket) should not be a huge problem for him, but that has not stopped him from losing in the past. Also putting their noses to the grindstone are Jaedong and Jangbi, while Jaedong is sitting atop his throne in KeSPA land right now do not count little Jangbi out, he has had impressive results lately and stands a chance (however small it may be).

GOM Classic Ro16

BackHo

GanZi

Stork

Iris

Flash

LuCifer

Anytime

Memory

Next Week

Flash faces of with teammate and..... namesake? Lucifer and Flash share the same name of Youngho Lee as well as the same team, being KTF Magicns. These two are expected to be one of the hottest matches of this tournament, and with Stork and Berserker going head to head as well next week looks even better than this one. Lecaf Protoss player Anytime has made a rather deep run into this tournament as well and will have to play Memory to get any further.

Oh yeah.... TASTELESS!!!!!

This tournament has everything one needs to enjoy a perfect evening (or morning for some) of Brood War at its finest. Good players, good sponsors, good stream and the most important ingredient a good shoutcaster. GOM has found one in well known shoutcasting star Nick "Tasteless" Plott, who has been in Korea for about six months now. First casting the GSI and now on to the GOM Classic where he has been doing a superb job!

Do not forget to tune in tonight at 11:00 CEST and show your support for Tasteless and your favorite player in the tournament. The matches are broadcast through the GOMTV player available at the link below along with news, brackets and VODs from the previous playdays. The GosuBets should be up soon so be prepared to go all in on Savior!