Q. When’s the last time we had a TvZ finals in the GSL?

A. Over a year ago.

Background

It was on the first day of June, 2013, that the seemingly indomitable INnoVation fell to an outstanding comeback by Soulkey, who was able to take the best of seven series from a 0-3 deficit to a resounding 4-3 victory. Losing didn’t do much to deter INnoVation though, as he confidently powered through the Season 1 finals, ending it with a 4-0 sweep over sOs, who had yet to lay claim two $100,000 grand prizes.

Since the last TvZ finals in the GSL, much has changed. First came the nerfs to Terran, then the buffs for Protoss, and inevitably, two GSLs with many Protoss players, an almost equal amount of Zergs, and a sprinkling of Terrans. With significant nerfs to Protoss and buffs for Terran, the tides began to change in the third season, bringing us to this weekend, where INnoVation gets a second chance to claim the coveted GSL trophy.

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride

While INnoVation fans are salivating at the prospect of an INnoVation victory that would guarantee the player a ticket to the BlizzCon Global Finals, the real focus of the GSL finals will be on his opponent soO.

Repeated second place finishes, most recently at DreamHack Open: Stockholm, have earned soO the reputation of being “the icon of second place,” an appellation given to him by Solar who crushed him 3-0 this past weekend.

The question on everyone’s mind this weekend is whether or not soO will finally break the curse that has placed him second in three consecutive GSLs. Although soO has done the impossible by getting to a record four GSL finals in a row, he risks having his achievement tarnished by always finishing second.

Failing to clinch a trophy for the fourth time will have a negative impact on soO that will extend beyond the GSL. A defeat would demoralize soO , who believes that failure is better than second place; and rightfully so— silver is the only medal you get by losing. Confidence is crucial skill in StarCraft, and should soO lose in the GSL finals, it will likely jeopardize his performance at BlizzCon.

The Prospectus

There’s something classic, almost primal about a Terran vs. Zerg finals. It’s Starship Troopers, it’s Alien vs. Ripley, it’s War of the Worlds. It’s the classico between Real Madrid and Barca, it’s the Yankees vs. Red Sox, it’s Federer vs. Nadal.

TvZ is the best matchup for both INoVation and soO, and we’re likely to see fireworks when these two collide on Saturday. While both players are recognized for excelling against Protoss this season, neither has played extensively against each other’s race. It’s hard to say which player has a better understanding of the matchup, and both are likely to be furiously practicing, perhaps against each other (INnoVation recently joined SK Telecom T1).

Expect to see soO’s brilliant decision making and INnoVation’s godly micro and macro to be the highlights of this best of seven. I’m predicting a 4-2 victory for INnoVation, though I, like many, would be absolutely thrilled to see soO wear the crown he has fought so hard for.