G2 Esports advance to First Stand semifinals after sweeping LCK second seed

G2 Esports has officially advanced to the semifinals of First Stand 2026 after taking down LCK second seed BNK FEARX 3-0 in the qualifying match.

Going into the Group A qualification match, expectations were set on LCK second-seeded team BNK FEARX to match up against their LCK counterpart Gen.G in the First Stand semifinal matchup. However, LEC representative G2 Esports ensured that an all-LCK semifinal match would not take place after dismantling BNK FEARX 3-0 in the Group Stage.

G2 botlaner Hans Sama stood out all throughout the series as the catalyst behind G2 Esports’ decisive victory against BNK FEARX. In particular, his play on Corki cemented G2 Esports's momentous comeback in game two, quickly positioning them for a 2-0 lead heading into game three.

LCK Lose First Bo5 Against an LEC Team in 5 years

G2 Esports’ victory over BNK FEARX marks the first time an LEC team has taken down an LCK team in a best-of-five series in five years, when G2 Esports took down Gen.G during the quarterfinals of Worlds 2020.

G2 Esports will move forward into the First Stand semifinal matchup against LCK 1st seed Gen.G for an opportunity to lead Europe back to the tournament’s Grand Final. The matchup between G2 Esports and Gen.G will take place on March 21, 2026. It will be interesting to see if G2 Esports can maintain their strong form seen today going up against the tournament favorites in Gen.G. For now, they will use this time to prepare for the First Stand playoffs.

As for BNK FEARX, this loss to G2 Esports ends their First Stand run, making them the first LPL or LCK team to be eliminated from the international tournament. Regardless, qualifying for First Stand is a major benchmark for BNK FEARX, who will head back to the LCK in their attempt to continue their domestic momentum once again.

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Featured image credit: Bruno Alvares/Riot Games

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