The first international League of Legends tournament of the year, First Stand, has delivered a shocker as Gen.G fell to G2, resulting in the elimination of all Korean teams.

The semifinals, which determined the finalists for First Stand, took place in São Paulo, Brazil, on the 21st at 10:00 PM KST. As the reigning LCK Cup champions, Gen.G were carrying the hopes of local fans, who were closely following the event.

However, Gen.G failed to take a single set against the European powerhouse G2, suffering a 3-0 defeat. G2 controlled the tempo from the start, utilizing meticulous early-game planning and unconventional champion picks like Kog'Maw to maintain dominance in every game.

In the first set, Gen.G’s bottom lane was systematically targeted, and they were unable to contest major objectives, eventually losing the Nexus. In the second set, Gen.G attempted a turnaround by picking top-lane Vayne as a joker pick, but the snowballing gold gap and the opponent's relentless momentum proved too much to overcome. The final set followed a similar script; G2 secured the first blood with ease, and Gen.G were outclassed in every dragon and Baron fight, leading to their defeat.

This follows the match on the 20th, where BNK FearX also suffered a 0-3 loss to G2. Despite their rise as LCK Cup runners-up, their lack of experience on the big stage was glaring, leading to losses in every team fight and the loss of all sets. This string of 3-0 losses against Korean sides has fans feeling a sense of deja vu, recalling 2019 when G2 dominated Korean teams in major international tournaments.

The First Stand grand final is scheduled for the 22nd at 10:00 PM KST, featuring a showdown between G2 and BLG. Should G2 emerge victorious, it will mark their return to the top of the international scene for the first time in seven years since the 2019 MSI. If BLG takes the crown, it will be the first international trophy in the team's history, while 'Viper' Kwak Do-hyun would secure his status as a back-to-back First Stand champion.