Team Evil Geniuses, the North American fan favorites, will face LG-Incredible Miracle, the team league all-stars of Korea, in the semifinals of the IGN Pro Team League. Both teams finished the season at the top of their respective groups, with Evil Geniuses going 2-1 in Group A and LG-IM going a staggering 3-0 in Group B. Neither group had an easier draw as they each had to face some of the best teams, such as Team Liquid, MVP, StarTale, and Prime. Wednesday, EG and LG-IM will battle it out to see who continues on to the IPTL Grand Finals.

The Lineups

Evil Geniuses:

DeMusliM (T) | IdrA (Z) | iNcontroL (P) | JYP (P) | HuK (P) | LzGaMeR (Z) | Machine (Z) | PuMa (T) | Stephano (Z) | Suppy (Z) | ThorZaIN (T)

LG-IM:

dreamertt (T) | Fenix (T) | First (P) | Happy (T) | LosirA (Z) | Mvp (T) | NesTea (Z) | Ready (P) | Seed (P) | True (Z) | YoDa (T) | YongHwa (P) | Horror (Z) | SK.MC (P)

Potential Starters

EG: HuK

Despite an alleged slump over the course of this year, HuK is still considered one of the strongest players on Evil Geniuses and one of the best foreigners in the world. He has been used twice in the IPTL, as a starter against SlayerS and an ace versus MVP. HuK is known for his highly unorthodox play, which makes it hard for his opponents to predict his next move. In addition to his unpredictable play, he is known for early aggression and top-notch micro.

LG-IM: YongHwa

YongHwa is best known for his performance in team leagues. He made his televised debut in the GSTL of February 2011, during which he displayed creativity and refined mechanics against ZeNEX and StarTale, ending the season with an impressive 5-1 record. Over the course of his career, he has struggled to make top results in 1v1 tournaments. However, he has found great success in team leagues as a sniper. In the 2012 GSTL Season 3, he achieved all-kills on Fnatic and SlayerS.

Key Player(s)

EG: PuMa

PuMa is a strong Terran player, who made a name for himself in SC2 when he placed first in the NASL Season 1 Open and went on to win the grand finals, defeating notable names such as Ret, Squirtle, July, and MC. He defended his title in the second season of the NASL when he defeated HerO in the grand finals (4-2). In the IPTL semifinals, PuMa will most likely be used as a sniper against LG-IM's Protoss player due to his effective use of the 1-1-1 build order.

LG-IM: Mvp, Seed

Mvp needs no introductions. Despite injuries and a lack of practice, Mvp still dominated tournaments with high-caliber play. He is unarguably the most decorated player in the entire world, having won the GSL four times, topping the GSL rankings in both 2011 and 2012.

Mvp is a solid player with immaculate macro and micro management, making him an all-around player in team leagues.

Seed is a dangerous player to go up against. Known for his ingenious Protoss play and forthright confidence, Seed dominates both 1v1 tournaments and team leagues. He was the one who put a stop to the seemingly invincible TaeJa in the grand finals of the IPL TAC3. He is also the second Protoss GSL Champion, having won the 2012 GSL Season 3 Code S finals. Seed's versatility allows him to be used as a sniper or team ace.

Team Aces

EG: Stephano

EG's newest recruit, Stephano, is widely hailed as the best foreigner. Over the course of his career, he has won the Lone Star Clash, IPL3, ESWC 2011, NASL Season 3, the World Championship Series: France Nationals, the 2012 World Championship Series: Europe Finals, and an ample amount of other minor tournaments. Stephano's best match-up is ZvP and he is well-known for his mass speedling/infestor play as well as his heavy use of roaches. In EG's match versus Liquid, Stephano was used as an ace and he was able to take down both TaeJa and HerO to secure the win.

LG-IM: MC

MC, the Protoss President, is the best performing Protoss player in the world. This year alone, he won HomeStory Cup IV, the IEM Season VI - World Championships, and Red Bull Battlegrounds: Austin. He is the only Protoss player to have reached the GSL Code S finals three time, two of which he won. MC is known for his efficient micro of blink stalkers, his relentless aggression, and his in-your-face confidence. He was used as an ace in LG-IM's series versus StarTale and will most likely be used as such again against Evil Geniuses.

Prediction: LG-IM 5 > 3 EG

Though Evil Geniuses's lineup has gotten significantly stronger with the addition of Stephano, it will be extremely difficult for them to take down the LG-IM squad, which is stacked with the best GSL players. They are the reigning champions of IPL TAC3 for a reason. If EG is able to take down one Code S player on LG-IM, they will have to go through five more in order to win. The odds are against EG. LG-IM will advance to the finals.

Be sure to tune in tonight to see which of these powerhouses is able to advance to the grand finals of the IPTL Premier Division.

Image Sources: Team Liquid, Eclypsia, SC2Earnings, GOMtv

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