Nongshim RedForce (NS) has emerged victorious in the Last Chance Qualifier of the League of Legends KeSPA Cup, securing a spot in the highly anticipated knockout stage. They defeated both Cloud9 (C9) and DN Freecs (DNF) to join the ranks of Hanwha Life Esports (HLE), Dplus KIA (DK), and T1, completing an all-LCK semifinal lineup for this year’s prestigious tournament.
Launched in 2015, the KeSPA Cup is now in its 10th year and holds additional significance this time around. The results of this tournament will play a critical role in evaluating players for potential selection to represent Korea at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Eligibility for the national team is restricted to players participating in this event, amplifying the competitive stakes.
The 2025 KeSPA Cup features 14 teams, including all ten teams from the LCK, two overseas all-star teams from Japan and Vietnam, and invited LCS teams Cloud9 and Team Liquid. The tournament began with a single round-robin group stage, where each match was a best-of-one. The winners of each group advanced directly to the knockout phase, while the runners-up were relegated to a last-chance qualifier. In the event of a tie, the team with the faster average win time claimed a higher seed, making each match critical.
Day 4 showcased the Last Chance Qualifier, where NS distinguished themselves with a decisive performance. They emerged victorious over C9 and DNF, securing their place in the knockout round and solidifying their status as potential dark horses ahead of the 2026 competitive season. C9 left the tournament with their heads held high, having shown that North American teams can indeed challenge their Korean counterparts—succumbing by narrow margins but leaving a promising impression for future LCS seasons.
In the earlier rounds, Day 3 saw the conclusion of the group stage, eliminating eight teams altogether. HLE, DK, and T1 finished as the only undefeated teams, each advancing through to the knockout phase without a scrambled position. Meanwhile, C9 carved their path to the Last Chance Qualifier with a crucial victory over BFX, which highlighted their resolve in the competition.
As the tournament unfolded, Day 2 confirmed the standings. HLE continued their undefeated streak, while DK exhibited dominance in their matchups. T1 made a strong debut, showcasing their capabilities by decisively defeating Japan’s All-Star team, leading to a series of impressive individual performances—particularly from player Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun.
The opening day of the KeSPA Cup revealed surprising dynamics, particularly for Gen.G, who struggled mightily due to missing key players impacted by military obligations. Fielding alternate roster members, Gen.G failed to secure any wins and heartbreakingly finished at the bottom of their group.
As the semifinals approach, the spotlight now shifts to NS against DK and T1 facing HLE in what promises to be an exciting series of matchups, with national pride on the line as these teams vie for supremacy in a historic tournament.
