Karmine Corp sweep G2 Esports to win the 2025 LEC Winter Season
It has finally been done! Karmine Corp have put a stop to G2 Esports’ hegemony in Europe by sweeping them in the Grand Finals of the 2025 LEC Winter Season. With the 3-0 victory, Karmine Corp were able to claim their very first LEC trophy.
Now, the French team will be the region’s representatives at First Stand, where they will compete with other Major Region Champions from around the world to make Europe proud at the first international tournament of the year.
Karmine Corp take down the Kings
G2 Esports came into the series having won their last six consecutive LEC finals. With the region beginning to look like a one man show, it was up to KC to put an end to G2’s reign of terror. And the boys in blue did not disappoint.
Even looking past the 3-0 scoreline, Karmine Corp climbed on to the stage and utterly dominated a G2 squad that looked thrown for a loop. To showcase just how one-sided the finals truly were, we only need to look as far as the total numbers of kills. Throughout the duration of the LEC finals, KC secured a total of 63 kills, while G2 were only able to secure of 19 kills in turn.
Done with these finals and G2’s control over the LEC, Karmine Corp closed out the final game of the series in just 24 minutes of play, making that G2’s fastest loss of season.
Having done the rest of the LEC a favor, Karmine Corp’s name next to the LEC Winter trophy carries a breath of fresh air for the region. This is true not only because G2’s hegemony has been put to rest, but also because KC’s win marks the first time that the team is able to lift the trophy, adding a brand new name to the list of LEC Champions.
A most special victory
Though the entire squad will be delighted to have landed the trophy, this LEC title will prove to be particularly meaningful for three of Karmine Corp’s biggest stars: Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert, Vladimiros "Vladi" Kourtidis, and Martin "Yike" Sundelin.
Caliste comes, Caliste conquers
Seldom does a player amass as much hype around his professional debut as Caliste did before the start of his LEC career. Even more seldom still does a player live up to that hype.
Caliste came into the LEC and immediately started turning heads with his incredible mechanics and a display of confidence well above his years. And it wasn't all just for show, as Caliste has now become an LEC Champion on his very first season in the league in what will hopefully only be the start of a long and successful career.
Caliste's rise in the LEC has been quick and unrelenting. (Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games)Vladi takes down the King to claim MVP
On what was only his second year in the league, Vladi come into the LEC Winter Finals and put up a performance for the ages. Not only did the Greek mid laner only die twice throughout the entire series, but he was also able to outperform none other than the greatest Western player of all time in Rasmus "Caps" Winther game in and game out.
For the unrelenting pressure he exerted on G2 in the finals, Vladi came away with a well earned Finals MVP award.
Vladi got the best of Caps in the finals, earning him his first MVP award. (Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games)Yike exacts revenge on G2
Yike spent two full seasons competing under the G2 Esports banner in the past. During his run with the team, the Swedish jungler helped G2 lift a total of 7 LEC titles, including a flawless year in the LEC in 2024. Despite being so dominant, G2 opted to move on from Yike during the latest offseason and sign Rudy "SkewMond" Semaan in his stead.
Now, Yike may have just proven to G2 that letting him go was a costly mistake as the jungler took down his former team to lift the LEC trophy for his seventh time in a row.
No time to celebrate: On to First Stand
Having completed their ruthless act of regicide, Karmine Corp became the last team to qualify for First Stand. The LEC Champions will now fly to South Korea and take on some of the very best teams in the world in League of Legends' new international tournament.
Despite the incredible achievement, KC will have to be quick to get themselves together and set their sights on the next step of competition. Can Karmine Corp make Europe proud at First Stand, or will the young squad crumble under the pressure of the bigger stage?
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Featured image source: Michal Konkol/Riot Games
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