Group A winners Clement “Clem” Desplanches and Cho “Maru” Sung-joo took their time to triumph on the biggest stage of StarCraft II. Clem stormed through his group like a man possessed. His signature tempo play, crisp micro, and confident engagements were on full display as he dismantled opponent after opponent.

While Clem brought the fireworks, Maru delivered a quieter but equally impressive run. The four-time GSL champion leaned into his trademark style – tight, defensive setups into late-game control – and it worked wonders. Doubts were coming into the tournament about whether Maru was still at peak form. He hadn’t looked quite as dominant earlier this year, and some fans wondered if motivation or fatigue might be catching up with him.

Both players remain on the wait for their next opponents as of the time of writing. But considering how fast-paced this StarCraft II campaign has been so far, it is only a matter of time before we get to see the impressive performances of these stars once more.

French Phenom in Full Force

Clem came into this tournament with high expectations, and he delivered. In Group A, he faced a gauntlet of top-tier Zergs and Protoss players – but never looked rattled. His 2-0 win over Solar was particularly impressive, featuring textbook Widow Mine drops and perfect defensive setups that shut down every attempt at counter-aggression.

One of his most talked-about games came against Solar, where Clem deflected a tricky proxy Oracle opening and turned it into a 15-minute slugfest that showcased his stamina and control. His micro was razor-sharp, even by Clem's standards; splitting Marines like a machine and stutter-stepping through Banelings without missing a beat.

He finished top of his group without dropping a map in several matches. Right now, Clem isn’t just playing to advance – he’s playing like someone who knows this could be his year.

Maru on the Rise

Where Clem brought raw energy, Maru reminded us what experience looks like under pressure. Placed in a tough Group A with the likes of Reynor, and trigger, Maru had to bring out all the tools in his arsenal.

His most memorable series came against trigger, where he fell behind early in Game 2 after losing his third base to a well-timed Blink Stalker push. But Maru, being Maru, held firm with impeccable tank positioning and a bunker line that looked like something out of a Brood War playbook. He clawed his way back into the game with small, efficient trades and closed it out with a clinical 3-base push.

He also faced Reynor in a rematch of past GSL showdowns. While many expected Maru to struggle with Reynor’s unpredictable style, he turned the tables with a timing attack featuring fast Ghosts and Liberators, catching Dark’s Swarm Hosts out of position. The result? A classic 3-2 finish and another playoff ticket punched.

Clem is proving he's not just the future of Terran – he might already be the present. Maru, meanwhile, continues to defy age, expectations, and the meta itself. With both players peaking at just the right time, and a loaded playoff bracket ahead, the 2025 Esports World Cup is shaping up to be an instant classic.

As the playoff stage looms, all eyes will be on Clem and Maru to see if they can carry their momentum into the final rounds. With rivals like Serral, Reynor, and herO still in the mix, the road to the trophy is anything but guaranteed.