First Stand 2025 Champions Show ‘Strange’ Attitude After Victory
Facing an opponent significantly rated lower, Karmine Corp, Hanwha Life Esports’ victory was unquestionable. The actual match demonstrated this: apart from a somewhat surprising first game, in the next three games, the LCK representatives simply did not give KC any chance to counter. However, the attitude of HLE players after the championship is currently a hot topic among LCK fans.
According to LCK fans, after winning the championship, not only Viper – a player known for rarely showing excessive emotions, but even the other members of HLE didn’t seem to be very excited. Some opinions suggest that perhaps because the match against KC was not particularly challenging, the HLE members did not experience the overwhelming emotions typically associated with victory.
However, HLE at First Stand 2025 truly showcased a level of superiority compared to the rest. If at LCK Cup 2025, even a weak T1 could push HLE to game 5, then at First Stand 2025, no team has managed to achieve this. In fact, the three winning games of HLE felt like a ‘walk in the park,’ leading many to believe that the first loss against KC was simply HLE wanting to ‘test champions’ or were not fully warmed up yet.
The Reality of First Stand 2025 Also Sparks Debate About Its Significance
Besides the championship and HLE’s absolute superiority, many viewers also debated the nature of the First Stand. While some argue that the tournament was merely a test of Fearless Draft with a limited number of teams and a streamlined format, others still want to consider First Stand on par with international tournaments like MSI or Worlds.
No one denies HLE’s achievements and efforts. However, larger and more challenging tournaments lie ahead, and this may be the reason why HLE players have not truly exploded in emotions after their championship victory.