First Stand 2025: HLE’s “Laid-back Attitude” After Winning the Championship
After securing the championship title, First Stand 2025 did not only rise to the top but also received a significantly higher performance rating than Karmine Corp. The victory against Hanwha Life Esports has set a solid foundation. The match results clearly showed: starting from the first game, there was a notable discrepancy, while the subsequent three games indicated that LCK was not a challenge that KC could withstand. Nevertheless, the laid-back attitude of HLE’s players after their victory is currently a hot topic among LCK fans.
According to LCK fans, after winning the championship, it wasn’t just Viper—the player who rarely shows overwhelming emotions—but also other members of HLE who remained rather composed. Some opinions suggest that the match against KC was not particularly challenging, which is why HLE’s players did not exhibit overly euphoric emotions upon their victory.
However, HLE at First Stand 2025 indeed showcased a performance that was entirely superior compared to the rest. If at the LCK Cup 2025, even a weak T1 could push HLE to a fifth game, then at First Stand 2025, no team has been able to achieve this feat. Moreover, the three-game victories of HLE didn’t feel like a “trial run,” leading many to believe that the first game loss against KC was merely HLE wanting to “test the waters” or simply not fully engaged.
The Reality of First Stand 2025 Sparks Controversy Over Its Significance
Alongside the championship title and HLE’s impressive performance, many fans are also debating the nature of the First Stand tournament. While some argue that the tournament serves primarily as a testing ground with a limited competitive field, others believe it should be considered on par with prestigious international competitions like MSI or Worlds.
No one denies HLE’s accomplishments and their remarkable performance. However, larger and more prestigious tournaments still pose greater challenges, and because of this, there may be reasons why HLE players do not seem excessively euphoric after their championship win.
