So now that NASL isn't actually happening today, I have time for a blog post! Hurray! So today I'll move on to Division 3, who have actually already played their first matches (Nada vs dde was pretty epic). I'll avoid spoiling anything but be warned! If you click on the link to the NASL player profile, it shows their match history, which was updated as of yesterday.
Terran:
FnaticMSI.KawaiiRice NASL Profile: KawaiiRice is fairly well known terran player, one of the first big names to get a SCII stream up on teamliquid. He has been fairly successful, winning a number of online events, the most recent being an online show match against Sheth. He has a pretty unique style, particularly evident in TvZ, where he had been known to go almost pure marine medivac, mixing in less tanks at later times than most players. While he is a strong player, I don't think he can handle some of the bigger names in this division.
mouz.Strelok NASL Profile: One of the better known European players, Strelok's most recent achievment was his qualification for TSL3. Finishing tied for 8th with Select, he dominated the other Terran (who would go on to place at MLG Dallas) with a 3-0 win, putting him in the round of 32. While not the biggest name out there, Strelok has been a part of the thriving European tournament scene, taking a number of craftcups and similar titles. Similarly to KawaiiRice, Strelok is a solid player, but not a top tier one.
sixjax.dde NASL Profile: One of the unknowns, and derided as a poor choice for the NASL, dde is something of an unknown going into this tournament. He was primarily a online player, being a regular competitor for the US CraftCup, winning it several times. He also placed 26 at MLG Dallas, where he took a couple notable wins, such as defeating Grubby 2-0. Whie not as solid or notable as KawaiiRice or Strelok, I think many people will underestimate him.
oGs.Nada: It's Nada. In NASL. Holy Crap.
If you don't know who Nada , I'm not sure what to say to you. He was one the Starcraf tBW bonjwa's, and switched to SCII, where he placed well in a number of GSLs. His economy management is unparalleled, with minerals and gas very rarely going above 400. he is a very dominant force, and one of my favorites in the divison.
Protoss:
dignitas.NaNiwa: A player well renowned for BM, he has already been famously removed from two SCII tournaments. Despite this he remains a very solid player, doing exceedingly well at Dallas, only dropping a couple matches. He has a large amount of momentum behind him, but his attitude remains a block for his participation in a on-going league. If he can hold it together, he will do very well.
EG.Axslav: Axslav is a more elusive player than most. While he has participated at every MLG (IIRC), he hasn't taken any notable wins. Accordingly, he seems to be a strong player, but unable to consistently defeat the best. As such, I fear for his future in this league, with players such as NaNiwa and Strelok with far more solid records in big matches.
ST_Squirtle: A feared giant killer, Squirtle is renowned in the GSTL for all-killing team foU, and defeating the legendary MVP. However in individual leagues he has been far less succesful, never making it out of Code A. He took 3rd at the IEM Grand Finals behind his two fellow Koreans, but along the way he dropped many more matches than they did. While he has proven that he can defeat the best, he hasn't shown himself to be very consistent, I predict him to do well, but not well enough to take top two.
Zerg:
TLAF-Liquid'Haypro: One the member of the Liquid team in Korea, Haypro is rather unknown here in the west. He has won a couple smaller tournaments, and was successful in the beta, he hasn't shown his ability to take big wins, similarly to Axslav. He qualified for GSL #3, and rode into code A on one of the the four foreigner spots, but never made it past the ro64 and 32 respectively. As such a predict a similar fate as Axslav, he won't be able to consistently defeat the high calibre players in the league, and as such will fade into the lower half of the division.
ROOT.Slush: Slush is a guy who we dropped off the map for a while, but has recently began picking results back up again. Notably he missed the top 8 at MLG Dallas by just a hair, and otherwise appears to be in top form. Like many players in this division, he isn't one of those names that makes everyone quake in fear, but will be a hard match for everyone.
FXO.mOOnGLaDe: Undoubtedly the top Australia player, Moonglade has dominated all the events in that sector of the world. Accordingly he went to respresnt the World in the GSL WCs, and though he performed well, he was ultimately unable to gain traction. He similarly performed well at the IEM global championship, where he took 4th, behind only Korean players. As such I think he is a cut above the rest of the group, but still very mortal. (Also: Squirtle rematch from IEM?)
This division is ultimately one of the hardest to call, especially knowing the results of day 1.
Top 3:
Moonglade
Nada
NaNiwa
Bottom 3:
Haypro
Axslav
dde
Dark Horse:
dde
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