Hanwha Life Esports defeat Karmine Corp and become the champions of First Stand 2025
The first international tournament, First Stand 2025, has come to an end, leaving us with many positive emotions. The grand final featured a clash between one of the strongest LCK representatives, Hanwha Life Esports, and the European LEC team, Karmine Corp.
HLE entered the match as the favorites, just as they had been throughout the tournament. During the qualifiers and group stage of First Stand, the team showcased an outstanding level of play, which was expected from the Korean powerhouse. Karmine Corp, on the other hand, struggled during the tournament, making their finals appearance a surprise to many.
The two teams had already faced off in the group stage, where HLE secured a victory over the French squad. However, KC proved they could put up a fight. In the grand final, Karmine Corp managed to win the first map, but Hanwha Life Esports responded with confidence, winning three games in a row and claiming the First Stand 2025 championship.
Thus, Hanwha Life Esports become the first-ever winners of the international tournament First Stand, engraving their names in history. And most importantly, they earned a second bye into the bracket stage of MSI 2025.
Prize Pool:
| Place | Prize Money (USD) | Participant |
| 1st | $300,000 | Hanwha Life Esports |
| 2nd | $225,000 | Karmine Corp |
| 3rd-4th | $172,500 | CTBC Flying Oyster |
| 3rd-4th | $172,500 | Top Esports |
| 5th | $130,000 | Team Liquid |
It’s safe to say that the first First Stand was a success. The teams delivered incredible emotions, thrilling matches, and unexpected twists. Now, we look forward to next year and new champions—or will HLE be able to repeat their triumph? We’ll find out next year!
Kirill is a writer of articles and blogs at eGamersWorld, having joined the team in 2024. His primary focus is analytics and crafting content about esports. With years of experience in gaming, Kirill brings deep industry insights to deliver high-quality and engaging materials.
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