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First Stand – Round 1 Recap and Playoffs Preview
- Hanwha Life Esports and Karmine Corp impress in the first round.
- Karmine Corp secures a crucial qualification to the second round.
- HLE vs TES and CFO vs KC set for the semifinals.
The first round of First Stand had fans at the edge of their seats, and we are so excited for what the second round will offer. With only four teams left in the campaign, there have already been dominating performances, unexpected upsets, and an exciting race for qualification. While Hanwha Life Esports and CTBC Flying Oyster both demonstrated their promise early on, Karmine Corp had an excellent qualifying run, defeating Top Esports and securing a pivotal match versus HLE. Team Liquid, meanwhile, found it difficult to stay up, losing each game and having to leave the competition early. The competition is intensifying now that the semifinals have been decided, and every game after this will be a struggle for survival. The League of Legends competitive scene is full of excitement and esports odds for you to take a look at!
First Round Results: A Battle for Survival
The final #FST2025 Round Robin Stage standings! pic.twitter.com/sPEL4Of2aR
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) March 14, 2025
The opening round of First Stand saw dominant performances from HLE, who secured multiple victories, including a hard fought 2-1 win over KC. Meanwhile, CFO proved to be a strong contender but fell to HLE, preventing them from finishing the round undefeated.
KC’s tenacity was the main plot point of the first round. They managed a vital 2-0 sweep against TES after a rough start, and that, together with stealing a game off HLE in their 2-1 loss, was just enough to advance them to the second round. Their capacity to step up was crucial, particularly when TES and TL were having trouble establishing themselves.Team Liquid’s dismal streak allowed TES to proceed even though they lost to KC. TL was ultimately eliminated early since they were unable to win a single series after defeating KC.
The semifinals will see HLE take on TES and CFO go head to head with KC.
The #FST2025 Semifinals schedule!
Note: Side selection is still TBD. pic.twitter.com/B2V9e5bRut
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) March 14, 2025
HLE has looked like one of the strongest teams so far, and their matchup against TES will test whether the Chinese squad can bounce back from their earlier struggles. TES will need to step up if they hope to challenge a team that has already beaten them once.
Meanwhile, CFO faces a dangerous KC team that has shown resilience throughout the tournament. CFO had a strong first round but was unable to defeat HLE, raising worries about how they will fare against a hungry KC squad. On the other hand, KC, although having a rough start, showed they can compete, after defeating TES and taking a game away from HLE.
With only two slots in the grand final, the stakes could not be higher. As First Stand approaches its conclusion, the semifinals promise to be an exciting fight. Keep an eye on all of our content as we’ll be covering all the action League of Legends has to offer. Don’t forget to bet on your favorite teams at BetUS Sportsbook & Casino, as we have a plethora of LoL odds for you to enjoy!
