Starcraft 2 news » Election Day for the Protoss President: GSL Finals Preview

This weekend, both the Global StarCraft II League (GSL) and the Global StarCraft II Team League (GSTL) will conclude in an epic ocean-side clash at Haeundae Beach in Busan, South Korea.  First, Jang “SK.MC” Min Chul will seek his third GSL title, but the brilliant upstart and comeback king LG-IM.Seed looks to establish himself as the protoss counterpart to his teammates NesTea and Mvp. The action begins this Friday at 3:10 AM PDT!

SK.MC has had a good year. The two-time GSL champion seemed to stagnate somewhat during 2011, without a single international tournament win since June, but something seemed to change in him when he transferred to SK Gaming. The “Obamatoss” began playing with more vigor and freshness than he had in months. Taking first place in HomeStoryCup IV and the IEM Season VI World Championship were accompanied by a return to form in Code S. With his third place wins at HSCV and NASL3, MC has passed LG.IM.Mvp and become the highest earning StarCraft II pro-gamer at a staggering $314,450 in tournament winnings alone. His all-ins are sharp and deadly, and his macro play is every bit as powerful. Few would argue that the incumbent is running a compelling campaign for his re-election as the Protoss President.

“I could say out of manners that I've reached this place because of the players that helped me practice, but in the end I think I'm here because I'm awesome.”

But the challenger from the opposing party has been running quite a campaign of his own. With only one season’s worth of experience in Code S, Ahn “LG-IM.Seed” Sang Won has time and again scraped victory from the jaws of defeat to earn the right to face MC in this Grand Final. Down 0-2 to Symbol in the Ro8 and Byun in the Ro4, and considered the underdog both times, Seed tapped some hidden source of willpower and ran the score all the way back in a soul-crushing beat down. Showing off a powerful, solid style of protoss play with some new-age inspiration and creativity, coupled with a smirking confidence and showmanship to rival that of the President himself, Seed is a player ready for a championship – poised to take his place as the protoss pillar of Incredible Miracle’s GSL champions.

“I've reached the finals within two seasons. It hasn't been long since I qualified for the individual leagues, so I'm happy to reach the finals. The President MC is ruling over the Protoss party, and I'm challenging him thinking of myself as the rebel forces starting a revolution.”

True MC’s PvP is tried and true while Seed’s is somewhat spotty, and MC has won both times the two have met in the past, but Seed has shown inspired play this season, and has twice mustered a tenacity few players are able to manage even once. Plus Seed has been the underdog the entire season. Few believed in him, and each time they’ve been proven wrong. The early reports are already calling the election for MC, yet as we’ve seen this season, you can’t call it until each and every vote has been counted. If the previous results this season have proven anything, it’s that this one’s gonna be close.

The games will begin at 3:10 AM PDT on Friday, July 27. For the stream and VODs, visit www.gomtv.net. The standard quality stream will be available to all viewers, while season ticket holders will have access to a HQ option. Only ticket holders will be able to access more than the first game’s VOD. To purchase a ticket, first create an account here, and then choose a package here.

Thanks to Petad for the images.