Clem doubles, Dark wins KR

Week #205 of the ESL Open Cups was sandwiched between the IEM Katowice qualifiers and ESL Masters Winter (Atlanta), leading to some minor quirks in the usually predictable competition.

Korean server participation was very low at just ten players, likely due to some players being exhausted after the grueling IEM Katowice qualifier week (players who competed in the final IEM qualifier would have only had a 6~8 hour break until the weekly open). Unsurprisingly, the finals was contested between two players who had locked in their qualification early, ending with Dark prevailing 3-0 over Cure.

The European server cup featured the usual contingent of regulars, but also saw ByuN make a surprise appearance as he had traveled to Canada to bootcamp with Shopify Rebellion ahead of ESL Masters Winter/Atlanta. ByuN fought his way to the finals with a 2-1 over MaxPax in the semifinals, but was taken down 3-1 by EU cup keeper Clem in the grand finals.

Clem proceeded to take the weekly double, winning the American server cup as well. Once again, his usual finals date with MaxPax was canceled by a top Korean player—this time Dark took out MaxPax in the semis. Clem took the victory all the same, defeating Dark 3-1 in a duel between potential double winners.

In the non-ESL Cups, Dark won KSL #38 with a 3-0 over Classic in the finals. Kung Fu Cup was not played on the week—the final cup of the Winter season will be played after ESL Winter/Atlanta.

ESL Open: Korean Cup (partial bracket shown)

*****

ESL Open: European Cup (partial bracket shown)

*****

ESL Open: American Cup (partial bracket shown)

*****

Korean StarCraft League #38 (Partial bracket shown)