First Stand 2025 Grand Finals preview: Can Karmine Corp pull off a miracle?

League of Legends

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

After a thrilling week of matches, we have reached the last stop of First Stand 2025. On Sunday, March 16th, Karmine Corp (KC) and Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) are set to take the stage in Seoul, South Korea, to play in the Grand Finals and decide who will be the inaugural First Stand Champions.

Though Hanwha Life have been dominant throughout the tournament, Karmine Corp's run at First Stand has seen the team become increasingly more comfortable in their game to reach their first ever international Grand Finals. Will their growth be enough to get the better of Hanwha Life in the end, or will the LCK squad prove their superiority one final time at First Stand 2025?

Road to the finals: A tale of two paths

Our two finalists at First Stand have gone through completely different paths to get to this point, making his final bout a battle between determination and growth on one side, and outright skill on the other.

Karmine Corp manage to turn the ship around

After sweeping G2 Esports in the LEC Winter Finals, the League of Legends scene was high on KC coming into First Stand. The boys in blue, however, put on a disappointing show to start the tournament by putting up consecutive losses to what were supposed to be the two weakest teams at First Stand 2025: Team Liquid and CTBC Flying Oyster.

Whether it was inexperience, stage nerves, or simple disrespect towards their opponents, KC were quick to place themselves in an unfavorable position. Despite the LEC Champs looking doomed, though, KC managed to turn the ship around just in the nick of time.

Karmine Corp beat LPL Champions of Top Esports in dominant fashion up next before looking competitive against Hanwha Life Esports in what served as a preview to the Grand Finals. The team's timely growth on the international stage just barely saw Karmine Corp qualify for First Stand Playoffs on the eleventh hour after being part of a three-way tie for last place in the Group Stage.

The latest step in their journey saw KC get revenge over CTBC Flying Oyster in the first Semifinal by claiming a scrappy and well-fought 3-2 victory, securing their place in the Finals despite all of the team's ups and downs at First Stand.

Vladi and Caliste managed to make it all the way to the finals at their very first international tournament. (Credit: LoL Esports on X)

Hanwha Life continue the LCK dominance

Having gone through a grueling bracket run to win the LCK Cup, HLE came into First Stand 2025 as the big favorites to win it all, and so far they have not disappointed. In fact, Hanwha Life's run at the tournament so far has been as clean as it gets.

The LCK Champs wrapped up the Group Stage at First Stand in first place after winning all of their matches, even taking some liberties along the way. After sweeping Top Esports in the Semifinals without missing a beat, none of the champions from around the world have looked capable of contesting Hanwha Life's supremacy at First Stand 2025. Not yet, that is.

Though HLE will be proud of their display at the tournament so far, the fact that the team hasn't been properly tested could allow for complacency to seep in leading to the Finals. With only one more hurdle to surpass, Hanwha Life will need to keep their eyes on the prize or risk fumbling the trophy right at the very end.

Hanwha Life have stomped their way through First Stand 2025. Will they grow overconfident before the Grand Finals? (Credit: LoL Esports on X)

Karmine Corp vs Hanwha Life Esports [Sunday, March 16th - 9 am CET]

Players on both sides will need to bring their A-game when the two teams take the stage for the First Stand 2025 Grand Finals. For KC, Canna and Vladi will have the unenviable task of keeping up with Zeus and Zeka in the laning phase, two World Champions that love to force their opponents hands in the 1v1.

Meanwhile, the battle in the bot lane will come down to two highly skilled, mechanically proficient ADCs who like to play to the very limit of their capabilities. Viper, however, has got the gift of experience on his side; when the HLE ADC was busy winning Worlds back in 2021, Caliste was only 15 years old, and still a long way away from even starting his LEC career.

Perhaps the key for Karmine Corp, however, lies with Yike in the jungle. The KC story at First Stand so far portrays a striking picture: when Yike is on, the team dominates; when Yike struggles, KC look lost.

Against a seasoned veteran in the jungle such as Peanut, it's hard to imagine Yike will be given much space to control the game from early on. After lifting 7 consecutive titles in the LEC, the time has come for Yike to show he has got what it takes to get it done on the international stage as well.

Ultimately, this Karmine Corp team is about as young as it gets when it comes to playing for an international title, and will need to get a hold of their nerves if they wish to stand a chance against this commanding Hanwha Life squad.

Prediction

The LCK Cup Champions come into these finals with their sights locked on the prize. Though Karmine Corp have it in them to be competitive in this match, we expect Hanwha Life Esports to take the 3-1 victory in the end and claim the title of Champions among Champions.

Though belief in the Karmine Corp miracle is strong, 54% of the Strafe fan votes still picked Hanwha Life Esports to win the match.

Where to watch

The final bout of First Stand 2025 is right around the corner, and you won't want to miss Hanwha Life Esports and Karmine Corp go toe to toe to decide which team will get their hands on the trophy. To catch the Grand Finals live, tune in to the official Twitch and YouTube for First Stand, starting this Sunday, March 16th, at 9 am CET.

Alternatively, you can also watch the Finals along some of your favorite streamers by tuning in to one of the several channels that make up the list of official First Stand 2025 co-streamers.

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Christina Oh/Riot Games

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