We asked ourselves the following question - who was the best foreigner player of 2012. Who outdid himself against Koreans and colleagues both, to reach the pinnacle of competitive SC2 this year. Here's what we came up with.
It wasn't easy, but we tried taking only the ultimate stars that shined brightly this year. We ended up with two fan favorite Swedish fellows, two powerful Polish powerhouses, one crazy Frenchman and a Canadian queen. And now we ask you, who's your favorite?
Ilyes "Stephano" Satouri
Not much needs to be explained about Stephano's nomination as best foreign player. The French Zerg exploded on the scene and seems to be the talk of the day everywhere he goes. Claiming second place at ASUS ROG Winter 2012 was his first big success this year, and it only got better. Embarking on an American tour was his next move as he played everything from smaller tournaments like the Lone Star Clash (taking first place), playing in the MLG Winter Championship and making a strong appearance at the IGN ProLeague Season 4, though not managing to keep his grand title. In the second half of the year, Stephano really started to shine winning the French nationals for the WCS without dropping a single game. He then flew to Toronto to participate in the NASL Season 3 main event. After a remarkable tournament, Stephano walked away with the first prize and $30,000. Later that year and fresh under the EG banner Stephano went forward to play the 2012 World Championship Series - Europe Finals and to win the event, adding $24,000 to his yearly winnings.
Stephano was the center of much controversy and talk among the scene at 2012. He managed to back up all that talk with incredible performances in the worlds greatest tournaments, and that's why he's a nominee for the best foreign player of 2012.
2012 achievements:
1st: NASL 3
1st: WCS Europe
1st: Lone Star Clash 1&2
2nd: Assembly Winter
Johan "NaNiwa" Lucchesi
The Swedish sensation that is NaNi is a vibrant personality in the scene in addition to being a great player. Starting out the year with a bit of controversy that lost him his spot at the GSL Code S Season 1, he followed on to represent Korea (he's Swedish remember?) at IEM Season VI and later to MLG Winter Arena and MLG Winter Championship, finishing top 8 every time.Receiving a direct seed to GSL Code S Season 2 certainly helped put his name in the headlines. He managed to reach all the way to the round of 8, beating many strong names and finally losing to the one who would be champion - MVP. At the GSL Code S Season 3, NaNiwa again managed to pull through with a strong performance but yet again was defeated at the Round of 8. Later in the year he managed to get fourth place at the WCS Sweden National, just missing the seed to the Europe Finals.
Though he has no Podium finishes this year, NaNiwa has been everywhere and showed a strong performance in each and every tournament. 2012 could be considered Nani's Year of the 8th. Earning the respect of Koreans in their own country, NaNiwa is one of the strongest foreigners around.
2012 achievements:
Top 8: Code S Season 2
Top 8: Code S Season 3
Top 8: MLG Winter Championship
Grzesiek "MaNa" Komincz 
The first half of 2012 was somewhat successful for MaNa. Playing only part time, he managed to helped push Mousesports to second place at the North American Star Team League as well as win second place at the Gamers Assembly 2012 and first place at the Medion All Star Trophy. At the WCS Poland Nationals he earned his trip to the Europe Finals with the silver medal. He then went on to participate in the IPL 5: European Regional, again reaching second place and this time failing to secure a spot at the IPL 5 Main event.The stream of second places would soon come to a stop as MaNa travled to DreamHack Open Summer 2012 and win first place and 100,000 SEK (~$15,000). Later on in the year MaNa traveled to Romania for the 2012 DreamHack Open: Bucharest to defend his title. He played strongly but could not topple the compatition and finished a respectable 3rd/4th place. MaNa represented Poland at the Electronic Sports World Cup 2012, and came out victorious with the title of world champion and $20,000.
MaNa has showed a remarkable rise this year. Participating in so many premier tournaments and even reaching the top of several. He is no doubt one of the most fearsome foreigners around.
2012 achievements:
1st: DreamHack Summer
1st: ESWC 2012
2nd: Gamers Assembly
Marcus "ThorZaIN" Eklof
Gaining most of his fame in 2011, ThorZaIN certainly did not slack in 2012. Participating in nearly every competition out there, ThorZaIN seemed to be everywhere. He started the year getting second place at MSI Pro Cup 6, 7 and 8 to finally win Cup 9. Later on, Marcus went on to win the Stockholm DreamHack Open banking $10,400 and a direct seed to MLG Spring Arena 2. Facing off against his Swedish colleagues ThorZaIN showed his superiority claiming first place in both E-Sport SM - Championship Finals and the WCS Sweden Nationals. During the year he also managed to play at the MLG Winter Arena followed by the MLG 2012 Winter Championship though not achieving incredible results. He also participated in the Red Bull LAN Orlando and the Iron Squid - Chapter 1 tournament, achieving mixed results.
ThorZaIN seems to make it just far enough in each tournament to carry him onwards to the next one, and he's been doing it consistently throughout the year. He has also shown he has what it takes by getting first place at a couple of tournaments, and that's why he's a nominee for best foreign player.
2012 achievements:
1st: DreamHack Stockholm
1st: WCS Sweden
Top 8: DreamHack Winter
Artur "Nerchio" Bloch
Nerchio was part of the scene from the very get-go, but only made a name for himself in 2011, and it was by 2012 when he really started to shine. In January, he attended HomeStory Cup IV, reaching only 8th place but he would later return in HomeStory Cup V - this time he meant business and went on to win the tournament and the $10,000 prize. He took first place in WCS Polnd, securing his spot for the next stage where he managed to get 7th place. Usually that'd be a BWC seed barely missed but by the power of Stephano's multiple championships, Nerchio took the last train to the grand finals. In August, Artur played at the IEM Season VII Cologne claiming second place. He later went on to the 2012 Dreamhack Open: Bucharest, winning first place and securing his place at DreamHack Open: Winter. At that event he reached the respectable 3rd/4th position. As the year came to a close he participated at the THOR Open 2012 and reached third place. Nerchio also participated in the IGN ProLeague Season 5 and the IPL Fight Club with mixed results.
Nerchio has been building himself up from the start and as he is now, seems to be very powerful. Participating in every outlet and winning several Premier tournaments earn him a place as a nominee for best foreign player.
2012 achievements:
1st: HomeStory Cup V
1st: DreamHack Bucharest
2nd: IEM Cologne
Top 4: DreamHack Winter
Sasha "Scarlett" Hostyn
Scarlett started playing in 2011, but was pretty much unknown until her debut appearance at the 2012 IPL 4 Open Bracket, where she played all the way to the quarter finals. She was then picked up by Eclypsia and played a prominent role getting the team to the top of the IPL Team Arena Challenge 3 and securing a spot at the main event. Later, Scarlett joined team Acer, helped her new team at the IPL TAC 3 and has been one of Team Acer's aces since, managing an all-kill of Dignitas at 2012 IPTL Season 1 and an all-kill of Fnatic at the 2013 IPTL Season 1 (which started at 2012).At the World Championship Series, Scarlett started off in the Canada Nationals claiming first place and a paid trip to the next stage. At the NA finals she toppled America's greats to claim the first place and $24,000. And finally, at the world finals she got second place in her group sending her to the Ro16 - where she lost to future champion - PartinG.
The Canadian powerhouse is certainly a rising star and one to look out for in the future. She has rightfully earned her place as a nominee for the best foreigner of 2012.
2012 achievements:
1st: WCS Canada
1st: WCS North American
2nd: MSI Worldwide Cup
