The League of Legends World Championship 2025 Swiss Stage has delivered its first two contenders for the high-stakes Knockout Stage, proving once again that precision, resilience, and a touch of tactical genius are the ultimate currency in professional esports. After a grueling series of matches, KT Rolster and Anyone`s Legend have emerged victorious, etching their names into the early annals of this year`s global spectacle.
KT Rolster`s Flawless Ascent: The LCK Powerhouse Delivers
From the outset, expectations for KT Rolster were significant, hailing from the historically dominant LCK region. Yet, even seasoned analysts might have raised an eyebrow at their utterly unblemished record through the Swiss Stage. Facing the formidable LPL contender Top Esports in a highly anticipated BO3, KT Rolster demonstrated a level of strategic depth and mechanical prowess that left little room for doubt.
Game one painted a familiar picture: a measured early game from KT, absorbing pressure and ceding minor objectives, only to unleash their full power in the mid-to-late game. Their ability to consistently deny Dragon Soul and execute pivotal team fights around the Baron pit turned deficits into advantages, culminating in a dominant 28-10 victory. The synergy between Jungler Mun `Cuzz` U-chan`s Wukong and Bot Laner Seo `deokdam` Dae-gil`s Corki was particularly noteworthy, dismantling TES`s defensive lines with calculated aggression.
Game two was less a narrative and more a statement. While Top Esports` support Fu `Hang` Minghang managed an early first blood, it was a fleeting glimmer of hope. KT Rolster swiftly asserted control, dictating the pace and objectives. Deokdam, this time on Ezreal, punctuated the series with a decisive Quadra Kill, sealing a clean 18-7 victory in under 30 minutes. To end the Swiss Stage with a perfect 3-0 record is not merely a win; it’s a declaration. KT Rolster has not just qualified; they have arrived.
Anyone`s Legend`s Gritty Triumph: A Test of Endurance
In stark contrast to KT Rolster`s clinical sweep, Anyone`s Legend`s journey to the Knockout Stage was a visceral, three-game saga against the resilient CTBC Flying Oysters (CFO). CFO, fresh off a shocking upset against reigning champions T1, was hungry for another giant-slaying narrative, setting the stage for a truly compelling battle.
The series kicked off with a surprising Kled pick from Anyone`s Legend`s Li `Flandre` Xuanjun, a clear intent to disrupt. However, it was CFO who seized momentum in game one. Despite AL securing first blood and early towers, CFO meticulously built a gold lead and exploded around the dragon pit in the 18th minute. Their veteran ADC Chiu `Doggo` Tzu-Chuan, piloting Corki, delivered a stunning Quadra Kill in the 38th minute, capping off a dominant 20-5 win and proving that their T1 upset was no fluke. Anyone`s Legend suddenly found themselves on the back foot, a stark reminder that in esports, reputation counts for little once the Nexus is exposed.
Game two saw Anyone`s Legend regroup and retaliate. Trading blows early, the crucial turning point came in the mid-game team fights. Mid Laner Cui `Shanks` Xiaojun, on Orianna, became the orchestrator of AL`s comeback, boasting an impressive 5/1/10 KDA. His control and burst proved instrumental as AL systematically dismantled CFO`s defenses, evening the series with an 18-11 victory. The momentum had shifted.
The deciding game three was a tense affair, with both teams playing cautiously. However, Shanks, this time on LeBlanc, was the undeniable difference-maker. Securing three kills by the 17th minute, he scaled into an unstoppable force. A pivotal moment arrived at the 20-minute mark when Anyone`s Legend not only secured the Atakhan but also an Ace, decisively turning the tide. Ten minutes later, AL stormed CFO`s base, claiming a 15-7 victory and their coveted spot in the Knockout Stage. It was a performance defined by perseverance and individual brilliance when it mattered most.
The Swiss Stage: A Brutal, Beautiful Gauntlet
The Swiss Stage format, with its best-of-three matchups for qualification, has once again proven its unforgiving efficiency. It’s a crucible where teams cannot afford a single off-day, a format that quickly separates the truly prepared from those merely hoping. For KT Rolster, it was a comfortable, almost serene, path. For Anyone`s Legend, it was a grueling trial by fire, a testament to their ability to adapt and overcome under immense pressure. Both paths, however different, led to the same destination: a temporary reprieve, and a ticket to the main event`s next chapter.
While KT and Anyone`s Legend enjoy a well-deserved, if brief, respite, the rest of the Worlds 2025 hopefuls are still toiling in the trenches. The remainder of Swiss Stage Round Three will determine which other teams join them, with several crucial 1-1 and 0-2 matchups yet to be played.
Upcoming Matches (October 18th):
- Team Secret Whales vs FlyQuest
- Gen.G vs T1
- G2 vs BLG
- 100 Thieves vs Hanwha Life Esports
As the League of Legends World Championship 2025 marches forward, the qualification of KT Rolster and Anyone`s Legend sets a thrilling precedent. Their journeys—one of dominant conviction, the other of tenacious resilience—foreshadow the intense battles yet to come. The Knockout Stage awaits, promising further drama, strategic masterpieces, and the relentless pursuit of the Summoner`s Cup.
