Zeus Unintentionally Reveals HLE’s Major Weakness
On the afternoon of today (March 10), the First Stand 2025 tournament will officially kick off with the intense matches of the “nail-biting” competition. The first matchup will be between the representatives of the Americas and Europe when TL faces off against KC. Following that, there will be a highly anticipated battle between HLE and TES. This tournament promises to bring thrilling clashes between regions that often showcase a high level of competition, making First Stand 2025 an even more exciting event. Furthermore, Zeus is a name that has garnered significant attention as this is his first international tournament after departing from T1.
In response to media inquiries regarding the upcoming matches, Zeus expressed his confidence in HLE’s victory. Moreover, he stated that there is a “war” brewing against TES, emphasizing that HLE could potentially outperform the duo 369 and Kanavi, who are known for their formidable skills. However, Zeus’s remarks inadvertently highlighted a significant vulnerability of HLE: the lack of information regarding the strengths of their opponents at First Stand 2025.
“The truth is, we (HLE) haven’t had the opportunity to study our opponents, so we don’t know the true strengths of our competitors. For me, TES remains the most formidable opponent as 369 and Kanavi are experienced players. The matches between me and 369 will be quite intense and require meticulous preparation. However, I believe that my team and I will manage to outperform TES if we don’t make any significant mistakes,” Zeus shared with reporters before heading into First Stand 2025.
Zeus and Team Need to Quickly Adapt to Succeed at First Stand 2025
One of the notable differences between First Stand 2025 and other international tournaments like MSI or the World Championship is the short competitive duration. While MSI takes place over approximately 20 days, the World Championship lasts even longer (around 40 days). This extended competition allows teams to refine their strategies and gradually adapt to the evolving meta. In contrast, First Stand 2025 will only span one week, meaning teams must adapt quickly to their opponents, and the competitive meta must shift rapidly to achieve success.
For HLE, the lack of research on their opponents is a significant hindrance, especially for Zeus and the team. They may face challenges against teams that have developed effective strategies, particularly those from Western regions, and encounter difficulties in implementing their usual gameplay. It’s important to note that the playoff stage of First Stand 2025 could potentially eliminate teams directly without any second chances. Therefore, HLE needs to take full advantage of their upcoming group stage matches to study and adapt quickly to their opponents if they wish to avoid early exits.
