Serral vs Maru - $500,000 StarCraft 2 GRAND FINALS | IEM Katowice 2024 

This is my superbowl!

Dark's the only one who managed to take a map from Serral this whole tournament.

winter also winnin like the grand finals with that 200k subs, congrats.

36:29 Maru's triple scan at his own doorstep is really the PTSD from the last fight where one Infestor landed fungal on 7-8 ghosts and wiped them out

That tap out in game two, even as a Zerg main and a Serral fan boy, actually made me sad irl for Maru. Both of these players are legendary.

Serral looked untouchable. Just Dark took 1 map

11:24 “And he is making his spire great again” 😂

Serrals performance is beyond anything anyone has achieved in this game; truly the GOAT.

I was exhausted after game 2, so I can only imagine how Maru felt after that. Serral just looked unbeatable here. His infestor play seems to have only gotten better over time, they're like sharks, always waiting to strike.

Winter- grats on your best year yet. You've put in a lot of effort for a long time and your sub count is no mistake. Love the humor, soundboards, memes, and queen impersonations, and game knowledge you've built up over the years. You're one of my two favorite solo casters (alongside Harstem). Just curious - is it possible you'd ever co-cast with someone else during big live events?

Now this is my kind of SuperBowl.

CONGRATS ON 200K SUBS!!!

0:55 On this GOAT debate: - There is a player who achieved the Triple Crown twice, which only 2 other players achieved. - There is a player who has the highest win rate vs Korean players in 5 years out of 13 StarCraft2 years (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023). - There is a player who won the world championship twice (most wins among two others) - There is a player who holds the longest winning streak against at least Top 100 players (47 consecutive wins) - There is a player who holds the longest winning streak against top Koreans (19 consecutive wins; 2nd place the same player with 18 consecutive wins) - There is a player who achieved an over 90% match win rate in a year (2023) overall - which no one else ever achieved - There is a player who achieved an over 73% (73,24%) game win rate in a year (2023) vs Koreans - which no one else ever achieved (closest is Serral with 69,86% in 2018 and Maru’s 69,44% also in 2023). - There is a player who achieved an over 85% (!!!!) match win rate in three years (2018, 2020, 2023) vs Koreans. The next best other player being Maru with 78% in 2023 and herO with 74% in 2017. - There is a player who has by far the most Premier Tournaments wins with top Korean Participation (16) and overall (25) - There is a player who has NO negative win rate vs ANY pro player since his first Premier Tournament win in 2015 which he played on a regular basis (at least 10 games) - which no one else ever achieved Here are these player’s records against these top Koreans (wins:Korean player wins: draws): vs Maru: 13:4:2 vs Dark: 8:5:1 vs GuMiho: 10:4:0 vs Solar: 16:7:1 vs Cure: 17:3:0 vs ByuN: 12:5:0 vs Classic: 8:2:0 vs Bunny: 9:2:0 vs stats: 9:4:0 vs soO: 8:4:0 vs Innovation: 16:8:0 vs Rogue: 8:7:0 vs Trap: 14:3:0 vs Zest: 10:5:0 And here the records vs some top world players : vs Reynor: 31:16:0 vs MaxPax: 18:4:0 vs Heromarine: 26:4:0 That player has been so dominant since his rise to the top in 2018 in Seoul that he won more tournaments - with participation of the best Koreans in the world - in 6 years of playing StarCraft 2 than all players who have been present among the top players for much longer. That player is Serral. I have no idea how anyone can deny that Serral is the GOAT of StarCraft 2. Not one player comes even close to such a dominance over such a long period of time while at the same time amassing more important trophies in less time than anyone else. Serral's win rate vs his weakest matchup (Zerg) is higher than most pro's overall win rates. To anyone arguing flash = SC2 GOAT: Flash never had win rates that even come close to Serral's and had lower win rates than Innovation at time. He also was only present in SC2 for around 2 years. He definitely is the SC GOAT though. To anyone arguing Innovation/Maru: These two both failed to show up on the really big stages. Maru only ever got a 2nd place at Worlds with his 2023 defeat against Oliveira. He didn’t do what sOs, ROgue or Serral did: Go to a big stage, where the best of the world compete and win. The same is true for Innovation. Both Maru and him falter when competition from outside of Korea is present/when the big stage calls. Also both have lower win rates vs the top players and less achievements. To anyone arguing sOs: sOs, who is a 2 time world champion, only has 5 premier tournament wins. If you consider Rogue and Serral, who also are in the debate, sOs falls short. The same holds true as for Innovation and Maru. Less achievements, less dominance. Rogue has won 11 premier tournaments from 2017 to 2022. He, as well as Serral, won 2 Worlds. Now let’s bring Serral into the equation. Out of his 25 premier tournament wins which span from 2018 to 2023, 16 are with top Korean participation, Serral won 2 World Championships. Him and Rogue in my opinion are the only two players who are consistent and showed up when the best of the world are present. They have achieved similar high end feats. BUT: Serral has way more Premier Tournament wins (with top Korean participation and yet even more without) and was more dominant in his win rates and records versus other Korean players. To people arguing that Serral never won a GSL. So what? He played the best of the best from GSL and defeated them time and again (see record vs these players and overall win rate vs Koreans above). Does anyone seriously believe Serral would not have won the GSL if he was born Korean? And at the same taking Premier titles away from players who now claim them? If anything, Serral's dominance would have been EVEN MORE apparent. Plus Serral even went to Korea twice and both times won the GSL vs Worlds where the best of the GSL participated. That argument sounds a little bit like this: Real Madrid (Serral) who defeated all Premier League teams (Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool etc.) in the Champions League (GSL vs World, World Championship, etc.) is not better than Liverpool because it never played in the Premier League. The argument is absurd. The Premier League (Korea) sends its best teams (Maru, Dark, Rogue) to the Champions League (GSL vs World, World Championship, etc.) and these best teams get beaten by Madrid (Serral). No one in their right mind would argue that Madrid isn’t the best team in the world, simply because it didn't play versus Wolverhampton. Anyways, these are my thoughts. Share statistics, if you disagree.

Very Entertaining. I love the Granny Queen voices when their moments come up. Flipping funny.

Congrats on 200k! I remember about 10 years ago, watching your stream and asking in chat what you like to do outside of SC2. You got kind of annoyed and said "your mom" and then talked about how it was a stupid question. Been a fan ever since :D

Watched it online but still wanted to see your commentary! Gratz to 200k, keep it up

One hour into the match when you made your thanks to the viewers, it hit different this time! Thank YOU man, you deserve it. Constantly deliver, funny, informative. Been watching you for years. Stay on it man! Congrats on 200k!!!❤

"taking our good blue mineral jobs" rofl that was way funnier than it should have been

Those infestors in game 2 were insane. Great cast Winter!

What an amazing match. I have to sound stilted to not spoil it but this was worth watching the whole way through. Thanks for commentating this match.

The 2nd map was absolutely insane... Brilliant series!

I'll go ahead and say it. This was definitely the IEM Katowice of the year.

Game 2 was the most fun match I have watched in a while. Wished Maru won that one that would've been epic.

Been watching you for years man really glad you are sticking with it Starcraft is just nostalgic.

35:16 excellent 'The Expanse' reference

I just started watching right when you began in 2023, and I was hooked right away! Always makes my day better - thank you Winter and well deserved 200k!

Serral makes zerg look so cinematic, it feels like how the zerg would actually operate

Reynor and Rotti were talking at the desk that Serral never forgets a game. No matter how small, he remembers every detail of every game he sees. Truly an unfair advantage.

I have enjoyed it BIG TIME. So thank you for your extra focus on YT. I just hope you feel its worth it, and that you keep it up. Love your puns, your speedy and very insightful commentating. Honestly you are the reason I watch SC2.

wow 200k subs. I'm happy for starcraft, RTS and winter :)

@winterstarcraft this is the perfect definition of king of battles fight..

Love your hearing your love for the game and its players. I never get tired of your anecdote about Serral’s “pretty standard business.”

HOLY SHIT Congrats on 200k Subs!!!!!!!!! What a game to cast!

I already know this game is going to be a banger 🎉

I haven't touched Starcraft 2 in years, but I still tune in to watch it on your channel :)

After this tournament I really think it’s undisputed - Serral is the greatest of all time. Dark was the only player who took a single map win from him the entire tournament. The dude is just on another level.

I was here for this SerralBowl. Congrats on 200K Winter!

Well i have a lot to say. First off, great cast. Congratulations on 200k subscribers. I would love to see a celebration with Harstem and Lowko joining you for a cast. But i want them to bring soundboards and some of the silliness you provide. Sounds fun to me. Lol. I was super happy to see Maru make the finals. I think maybe he did beyter against Serral than Clem? What does everyone think? That second match was crazy! Longer than some movies I've seen. So what's left for Serral. Continuous dominance. What else can he achieve? How about a title with Protoss! Prove you are the greatest!

Every day with WinterStarcraft is better!! Thank you for all the wonderful content and congrats on 200k!

Winter thank you for the real super bowl of the year, you're awesome as always!

gratz on 200k subs! been watching off and on since the early days :) would be cool to cast 2v2s 3v3s or 4v4s for 200k special with korea pros and best of other regions

Keep up the great work, Winter! Congrats on 200k subs!

Winter, it was a pleasure watching this with your commentary. I watch alot of starcraft and I appreciate you the most. You combine great humor and wit with your high level of intelligence for the game. I am an aspiring Platinum player always trying to get better. You need to be casting these events and I hope that you will not be overlooked for long. Keep up the great work.

gg on the 200k subs

Excellent commentary as always!

Unreal, thanks for the cast, you are my favorite caster, watch almost all your videos, and always leave a like, should probably give my prime to you 100%.

Congrats on the 200k subs and a big thanks to serral and maru for helping year long by providing incredible games to fuel your channel!

Congrats to 200k my guy!

Love you, Winter. Congrats on 200k subs. Keep it up

I really enjoy your casting on games. I only watch you right now, I have something to smile in every single one of your videos

18:55 Adding to the map notes, however, that Radhuset is a zerg map, in as much as it's one of Serral's picks in the match (and e.g. like Hecate was Maru's).

Congrats on 200k, well deserved.

I haven't play SC2 in like 6 years but I'm always down to watch top matches like this.

highkey i would buy a textbook on each of the aces written by the leading players of each that would be sick af

The greatest halluc of all time was when we all thought there was a 3rd race in Starcraft, you wouldn't know it from watching premiere tournaments, but there's actually a race called Protoss that also has pro players. Little known fact.

Thanks Winter, was a great series and well casted. Much appreciation to you (and Jimmy) for always bringing us the most professional SC2

I hope you're doing just fine sir, keep doing your thing. Much love, brother.

Serral the GOAT

Man I used to be a rank 1 Masters Zerg player. I didnt realize prize pools were still pretty big. I wouldn't be able to hang today, but it's fun seeing a championship game again.

Congratulations 🎊🎈🍾 200K subscribers!!!!

Incredible matches. Well deserved win.

Your content got me into SC2. Here's to another 200k.

1:21:40 Serral defends this all-inn from Maru while coordinating a perfect counter-attack so uncalled for that even we missed it killing a base and 20+ workers.

Hey, about the thanks and all, I don't play sc2 anymore but I've played for a while and following you was enough to give me great moments and a plat 2 with the great roach hydra. So, thanks for you as well, I surely can recommend, it made my road easier and funnier. Cheers.

Serral is.the magnus carlsen of sc2

The GOAT. The debate is over. Thank you Winter for making our days a bit better. Sincere congratulations for reaching 200k subscribers! I hope we see you reach 300k next year.

Congrats on 200k subs!

Love to see Terran complaining about Zerg while they have been dominating tournament and WR for the past X years. At least Protoss have a valid point

Watched live, but just as excited for your cast.

Hecate is a gorgeous map. seral looks so much better than before...he was already scary, but now...damn

people kept saying "we want a serral vs maru finals where both give their 100%" well, i finally came to the logical conclusion of if serral is playing at 100% he wont let you play at 100%. maru is great, but serral is just on a whole next level when he is playing at max capacity.

Game number two was like using a metalldetector looking for coins on the beach 😆 When searching for those infestors😎

The match reminds me of the world final Serral vs Stats. Even before the games had started, Serral knew it is his series to loose and Stats looked defeated.

Please cast Serral vs Dark from day 4 as well. That match was amazing

"You know what they say. That which doesn't kill you leaves you with a massive repair bill and a lot of emotional trauma." Best line ever!!

200k special: do classic stuff! Angry coaching, bunker train across the map, contest about best bronze legue heroes game over the years... much love

watched this live, the game on Radhuset Station had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Sir winter, your prediction before you repost it, was came true❤, serral are the goat

Awesome game, as a zerg in broodwar but never really got into SC2, these games are still fun to watch :) Serral is something else!

Fantastic games out from Maru and Serrel! Maru fought hard! GG!

Serral is definitely a god tier level player, hes one of those guys that when the times are hard for a race shows you, there is always a way, you just have to up your level of play, and use the maps advantages to yo ur advantage, like that big map actually makes sense for hiding infestors, theres way more room to move them around and the terran wont spam scans everywhere from base to base.. so like it gives him advantages to hide them on the side and find moments of clumped units traveling over long distannces whigle he was waiting near by because of vision. man is like sun tzu art of war in sc2

do a fan tournament for your 200K special, that would be pretty cool!

The nerves of steel they had in game 2, to even consider a draw!?!

thank you for the 1440p! Getting tired of the 1080p uploads for SC2 from everyone on youtube...in 2024 :D

Winter, thank you for your work. You are by far the most entertaining SC2 caster. Cheers!

can't argue with results. inevitable it is.

For your 200k sub special. It would be cool to see you play against some of your fans. 1v1 maybe even do teams.

amazing grand finals wow

Spoilers: Game 2 was a banger, but you could see it broke Maru mentally. I'm surprised how long it took Serral to break him though. Game 1 felt relentless from Serral, like a snake strangling its victim. The oppressive presence of creep everywhere was so impressive to watch. It was all well under control tbh. Game 3 I liked the "just go and fucking kill him" energy, especially after the drawn out game full of Maru's suffering. Im surprised Maru didn't go for his trademark tilt proxy 2rax, especially after game 2. Game 4 was like straight out of hero's nightmares - endless zergling runbys everywhere

i like this line "Serral is inevitable" 😂 simply quite befitting whenever you play against Serral

Serral is a genius, he loses tournaments to win the big cash ones so Zerg doesn’t get nerfed.

A few thoughts: Serral saying that he's just playing standard makes sense, because serral never had some weird quirks or certain styles, like scarlett was long-time known for extreme creepspread and aggressive plays, maru is known for micro and defensive plays, reynor is known for insane APM and also aggressiveness, showtime is being known for not dying. Serral is just known for being the best in about every aspect of the game, not at the very top of the line, but overall score being so far ahead of everyone else that he feels like being in a completely own league. The scouting, the unit splittin, the tiny details with individual unit control and almost never giving in to the F2 under stress is most characteristic for serral i feel. Preserving 3-4 lurkers by getting up a nydus when they're cornered, using nydus to transfer units in between bases, aggressively mining, pulling back in time is just so well done by him. The queen creeping is just a good thing to do if you can spare the APM :D In game 2, it's somewhat sad for maru how the game ended there, but on the other hand serral outplayed him so hard that game that it would've felt quite undeserved imo if maru won that. Game 4: With that earlygame, maru pulled ahead by so much and it doesn't feel like serral did any mistakes there, it feels like zerg just can't do very much if they didn't build roaches at that point. Serral coming back like he did then is all the more impressive, especially considering how basic maru's mistakes were there. Leaving 2-3 hellbats or even a bunker in each outer base would've completely denied those cheap runbys for serral.. But then again, maru seemed to be pretty worn out psychologically in these games.

Hi Winter, just want to say that your uploads improve my day, thank you for what you do.

Always a treat to watch Serral

for the 200k its going to be cool if you do a podcast with Serrall, invite him over, talk it out, its gonna be cool. great games, one of the most brutal sweeps in finals I've seen honestly.

How many times have all these players been "introduced" and re-re-reintroduced to us?

Dude I love your cast I always contribute with the likes Jimmy ask you hahahaha, greetings from Mexico, SC2 player since 2010, re-learning the game since 4 months ago, love clem games! ggs gl hf!

This video came out late, but it was worth it. The match is going to be a very good one.

Thanks Winter youre a legend@!!

at minute 27;00 in-game timer (43:40) Maru starts fighting Serral having only twenty+ workers for another 13 minutes before giving up at (57:00) ... (meanwhile you're screaming "Zerg OP")