KTF 0 : 4 SamSung
[Oops]Reach(P) < Stork[gm](P) @ Forte
TheMarine(T)/[SouL]ChoJJa(Z) < sigamari(Z)/Ever)(P) @ Iron Curtain
[NC]...YellOw(Z) < [GsP]JJu+___+(Z) @ R-Point
TheMarine(T)/[SouL]ChoJJa(Z) < CuteBoy[gm](T)/JiHyun[jOypOp](Z) @ UsanNation
EJi(P)/[NC]...YellOw(Z) < Iron Curtain > [Na'G]DoGGi^^(T)/sigamari(Z)
My postmatch thoughts:
I felt that SamSung was going to take a victory tonight (thx for 3 LB points), but i had no idea that they could 4-0 KTF. Obviously, Samsung has very strong players, w/ JJu and Stork leading their lineup, but virtually every KTF member is an accomplished player, AND KTF is known for having a stellar 2v2 team. I don't think anyone at TL.net expected (or will beleive reading tomorrow) that Samsung when 4-0 w/ KTF
So, what happened?
I think the SamSung had insane momentum going into the match. Obviously, SamSung had been doing well in their Sky Proleague matches, but additionally SamSung had recently defeated Hanbit 4-3 and had just come off an insane 4-3 victory against GO. Moreover, most of their players are not currently in huge leagues (stork just eliminated from OGN, JJu out of MBC a long time ago etc) so I feel that the team really really focused on planning in advance and preparing for the ProLeague matches. The combination of preparation and overall morale likely gave Samsung an advantage going into the match
but what about KTF?
I think KTF is a team that has always had a problem "proving itself." It seems that every time KTF gets a new seriously badass player, that player tends to meet failure. Nal_rA has been slumping ever since he joined KTF, Sync has never quite come back to full form, Yellow has struggled to remain in the OGN Starleagues etc. So, i think KTF often looks to the Proleagues as a chance to demonstrate that they are actually a good team as opposed to a mass of reputable players.
So, going into this match, I feel that KTF wasn't so much excited and prepared for a chance to defeat a strong team, but rather worried that another ProLeague loss could damage their reputation. Additionally, one of their primary 2v2 members, Chojja, has likely been focusing hard on MSL, and not so much on his 2v2 skills. Thus, after the first loss by Reach (who i think had a slight advantage in the early game), I beleive KTF mentally collapsed.
Chojja probably immediately started feeling pressure about suceeding in the 2v2 match w/o having much practice, Yellow probably wasn't feeling strong about facing JJu in a ZvZ (JJu had defeated GGplay in an Ace match, and Oversky vs GO).
The only way KTF could have pulled a victory is if Yellow had won vs JJu. I think this would have taken MASSIVE pressure off KTF in the next 2v2 game. The nervousness in KTF can be seen in the final 2v2, as KTF is, in my mind, overly aggressive throughout the game
I think Samsung knew that KTF would crumble after some early losses, which is why they threw out their strongest players first (Stork/JJu)
Nonetheless, SamSung put up an incredible show, demonstrating that each one of their players is top notch. The 2v2 teams really impressed me, either controlling the match very well from the start or dealing w/ the aggressive KTF very well.
I only hope that SKT1 vs SamSung will be x10 more exciting