Karmine Corp faces elimination at the First Stand 2025 after failing to secure victories. After two days of competition, the team finds itself at the bottom of the standings with no wins, highlighting their struggles as underdogs against some of the strongest teams.
The tournament, hosted in Seoul, South Korea, has brought together five teams, with Karmine Corp suffering two consecutive losses against Team Liquid (TL) and CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO). Their record stands at 0-2, and they are teetering on the edge of elimination. According to reports, they must win their next two matches to have any hope of advancing to the knockout stage.
On March 10, Karmine Corp faced Team Liquid and struggled significantly, leading to a difficult 0-2 defeat. Martin “Yike” Sundelin, Karmine’s jungler, expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, saying, “It’s difficult to explain; everything goes very fast. It’s only been two days, but I’m surely disappointed with the way I’ve played. I don’t really know why, but I don’t want to look for excuses; it’s just like this…” Yike noted issues with team synergy, contrasting their current performance with their earlier success in the LEC.
The following day on March 11, Karmine Corp faced off against CTBC Flying Oyster, who showcased remarkable skills and team coordination, resulting in another 0-2 loss for Karmine. CFO’s performance was highlighted by Chun-chia "JunJia" Yu, who stated, “We needed to brush past Karmine quickly. We played focused and well-coordinated; it was all too much for them to handle.” With two swift victories, CTBC has positioned itself as one of the leading teams of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Hanwha Life Esports also demonstrated their strength, triumphing against CTBC Flying Oyster earlier in the tournament. On March 11, they defeated their formidable rivals, not only securing wins but also making it clear they are contenders for the championship. Their standout performance has placed them firmly on the path toward playoffs.
With Karmine Corp’s upcoming matches against Top Esports (TES) and Hanwha Life, the atmosphere is tense. Yike remains hopeful, stating, “It’s still possible to qualify. No one is going to give up; everyone still believes. The important thing is to stay confident and try to have fun.” Yet the pressure mounts, as their future chances hinge on quick adjustments and overcoming the psychological burden of their recent failures.
Top Esports come off their bounce-back performance against Team Liquid with their own aspirations for playoff advancement. Contending against the Western team adds to the narrative of international rivalry, especially considering the rich history of competition between the LEC and the LTA (previously LCS). Team Liquid, emboldened by their earlier victory against Karmine Corp, now faces another challenge as they aim for consistent performance.
The current standings accentuate the high stakes of this international tournament. CFO and Hanwha Life lead with impressive records, indicating their readiness to battle for the title. Karmine Corp’s position reflects the fierce nature of competitive League of Legends, where every match is pivotal. If they fail to win their upcoming fixtures, they risk elimination.
Hanwha Life's commanding victories instill confidence as the competition intensifies. Their performance has positioned them as not only favorites but also challengers to watch closely as the tournament progresses. Various analysts have been quick to highlight their execution, with one remarking, “The synergy isn’t the same as it was in LEC. Everything we’re doing is worse than before. I don’t know exactly why, but we need to create smarter plans.”
Despite the setbacks, Karmine Corp’s players are committed to pushing through the remaining games against formidable opponents. Fans remain hopeful as the players gear up, knowing they must put forth every effort to secure victory. The upcoming days will decide the fates of these teams, particularly for Karmine Corp. Will they find the resilience needed to reverse their fortune, or has the outcome already been decided?
The fierce drama of the First Stand 2025 continues as teams jostle for position, and Karmine Corp grapples with the weight of their past performances. All eyes remain on them as they seek to claw back from the brink amid fierce competition.