First Stand 2025 Sees Underdog Upsets and Rising Teams
The First Stand 2025 tournament is witnessing a dramatic shift in power, with several surprising results. Team Liquid encountered an early setback as CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) secured a decisive 2-0 victory, demonstrating their strength and determination. Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) also showcased resilience by overcoming challenges to defeat Karmine Corp, underscoring the event’s competitive landscape. CFO continued their impressive run with an emphatic 2-0 sweep against Karmine Corp, further cementing their status as a compelling underdog story after a win against KC TES.
HLE maintained their momentum with an exceptional performance led by Choi “Zeus” Woo-je. His standout KDA of 8/1/5 on Aurora during the match against Team Liquid highlighted his individual impact and established HLE as a formidable opponent. The team’s strategic gameplay and precise execution have been key to their success throughout the tournament. You can check out Zeus’ stats and highlights on his profile here: https://www.leagueoflegends.com/euw/stats/players/KR-Zeus
Meanwhile, Karmine Corp demonstrated their fighting spirit in the series against HLE, with Caliste “Caliste” Henry-Hennebert impressing on Jhin. You can watch Caliste in action on their team page: https://www.youtube.com/@KarmineCorp. KC’s overall strategy was centered on aggressive lane pressure and objective control, aimed at disrupting HLE’s rhythm.
CFO’s Upset Victory at First Stand 2025
CTBC Flying Oyster delivered a stunning performance in securing their semi-final qualification at First Stand 2025, defying expectations with decisive victories against both LTA and HLE. Their commanding 2-0 sweep over LTA—propelled by the exceptional displays from HongQ and JunJia—immediately signaled their potential. Following that, CFO edged out HLE with another 2-0 result, reinforcing their reputation as a rising underdog. The team’s success is built on strong individual performances, particularly from mid laner Tsai “HongQ” Ming-Hong and jungler Yu “JunJia” Chun-Chia, who consistently maintained high KDAs throughout their matches.
Match Highlights: CFO Dominates Team Liquid
CFO’s impressive run continued with a dominant 2-0 victory over Team Liquid, emphasizing the prowess of their mid lane and jungle duo, Tsai “HongQ” Ming-Hong and Yu “JunJia” Chun-Chia. HongQ consistently outmaneuvered his opponent in the mid lane by selecting strategic champions and executing flawless rotations to secure a high kill differential. Meanwhile, JunJia’s jungle presence was critical—controlling vision, securing early objectives, and carving out crucial ganks that tilted the balance in CFO’s favor.
Here’s a summary of the key results:
| Team | Game 1 | Game 2 |
|---|---|---|
| CFO | Win | Win |
| Team Liquid | Loss | Loss |
HongQ’s performance, marked by consistently high KDAs and capitalizing on Team Liquid’s positional errors, was a key factor in the win. JunJia’s ability to convert early advantages allowed CFO to set the pace through the games. Fans are eager to see if CFO can sustain this momentum as they prepare for future challenges. For live coverage of the tournament, visit Twitch. To elevate your gaming experience, consider the high-performance Logitech G Pro X Superlight.
HLE Dominance and KC’s Resilience
Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) has consistently showcased their strength at First Stand 2025, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of their mid-laner, Zeus.
Looking Ahead: CFO vs. TOP Esports and Qualification Battles
The recent surge by CFO has reshaped the dynamics of First Stand 2025, setting up an intense race for semi-final qualification. Their upcoming match against TOP Esports is arguably the most critical remaining contest in Group B. Here’s a breakdown of the key factors at play:
- CFO’s Momentum: After a dominant 2-0 sweep against Team Liquid, CFO is riding a wave of confidence and proving adept at challenging higher-ranked opponents, as evidenced by their strong showing against HLE.
- TOP Esports’ Form: While TOP Esports has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, inconsistency remains a concern. They will be eager to capitalize on any shortcomings from CFO.
- Team Liquid’s Pressure: Entering the tournament with high expectations, Team Liquid now faces mounting pressure. A loss to TOP Esports would necessitate convincingly winning their remaining matches to keep qualification hopes alive.
- Strategic Matchups: Champion picks and bans will prove crucial. Given CFO’s proven ability to counter established strategies, TOP Esports may need to significantly adjust their approach.
- Karmine Corp’s Fate: A victory for CFO could derail Karmine Corp’s semi-final ambitions, thereby slightly easing Team Liquid’s path to advancement.