Nongshim RedForce Sweeps OKSavingsBank BRION 2-0 in LCK 2025 Spring Season Round 1
Nongshim RedForce's Commanding Victory: A Detailed Analysis of Their 2-0 Sweep Against OKSavingsBank BRION
The LCK 2025 Spring Season continued its exciting action on April 3rd with Nongshim RedForce (NS) facing off against OKSavingsBank BRION (BRO) in a highly anticipated Round 1 matchup. Living up to pre-match predictions, NS secured a convincing 2-0 victory, demonstrating why many analysts consider them potential playoff contenders this season.
This match follows NS's strong showing at the LCK Cup 2025, where they finished in the top four, establishing themselves as a team to watch. For BRION, despite their recent addition of jungler Ellim, the team continued to struggle with coordination issues that have plagued them in previous tournaments.
Game 1: NS's Methodical Dismantling of BRION
In the first game, which lasted 36 minutes, Nongshim RedForce opted for a balanced composition with Kingen on Gwen in the top lane, GIDEON playing Sejuani in the jungle, Fisher selecting Yone mid, Jiwoo on Ezreal as ADC, and Lehends rounding out the team with Elise support.
OKSavingsBank BRION countered with Morgan on Jayce top, Ellim playing Vi jungle, Clozer on Aurora mid, Hype selecting Miss Fortune for ADC, and Pollu on Rakan support.
The game's turning point came around the mid-game when NS began to assert control over objectives. Fisher's flawless performance on Yone (4-0-5) created constant pressure in the mid lane, while Jiwoo's Ezreal (6-1-3) provided consistent damage output in teamfights. GIDEON's Sejuani was particularly effective at setting up plays, finishing with an impressive 1-1-15 scoreline.
Despite Clozer's efforts on Aurora (4-1-3), BRION struggled to match NS's superior map control and objective focus. The final kill score of 19-9 in favor of NS reflected their controlled aggression throughout the game, with a final gold difference of nearly 10,000 (73.1k vs. 63.9k).
Game 2: NS Completes the Sweep with Dominant Performance
The second game saw BRION attempt to adjust their strategy, but NS maintained their momentum with another strong draft. This time, Kingen played Gangplank top, GIDEON selected Nocturne jungle, Fisher chose Orianna mid, Jiwoo picked Kai'Sa ADC, and Lehends rounded out the composition with Nautilus support.
BRION responded with Morgan on Jax top, Ellim playing Naafiri jungle, Clozer on LeBlanc mid, Hype selecting Varus ADC, and Pollu on Alistar support.
Despite a more competitive early game from BRION, with Ellim's Naafiri securing an impressive 9-4-4 scoreline, NS's superior teamfighting and macro play eventually prevailed. Fisher's Orianna (5-3-15) was instrumental in teamfights, providing crucial zone control, while Jiwoo's Kai'Sa (6-4-11) delivered consistent damage.
The game concluded in 32 minutes with NS securing a 22-14 kill advantage and a 5,800 gold lead (64.9k vs. 59.1k). Kingen's Gangplank (5-2-10) proved to be a significant threat in the later stages of the game, splitting BRION's attention and creating space for his teammates to secure objectives.
Key Players: Jiwoo and Fisher Lead the Charge
Throughout both games, Jiwoo emerged as a standout performer for NS, showcasing his mechanical prowess and positioning on both Ezreal and Kai'Sa. His ability to deal consistent damage while remaining safe was crucial to NS's teamfight victories.
Fisher's perfect game on Yone in the first match (4-0-5) demonstrated his ability to control the mid lane and create pressure that rippled across the map. His follow-up performance on Orianna in the second game further highlighted his champion pool depth and adaptability.
GIDEON's supportive jungle style complemented NS's carries perfectly, with his Sejuani in Game 1 setting up numerous successful engages for the team. His 1-1-15 scoreline reflected his impact beyond mere kill participation.
For BRION, Ellim's performance on Naafiri in Game 2 (9-4-4) was a bright spot, suggesting that with more time to integrate with the team, he could become a significant asset. Clozer also showed moments of brilliance across both games, particularly on Aurora in Game 1.
Fan Reactions: Praise for NS's Cohesion
The Korean community's reaction to NS's performance was overwhelmingly positive, with many fans highlighting the team's improved coordination compared to previous seasons. Comments on social media platforms praised Jiwoo's consistent carry performances and Fisher's control of the mid lane.
One popular comment noted, "NS is looking like a real contender this season. Jiwoo and Fisher are playing at another level." Others pointed to the team's objective control and decision-making as key factors in their victory.
For BRION supporters, while disappointed with the result, many expressed optimism about Ellim's performance, particularly in the second game. "Give Ellim some time to gel with the team, and BRION could surprise some people," read one supportive comment.
The general sentiment among fans was that NS has established themselves as a team to watch in the LCK 2025 Spring Season, with potential to challenge the traditional powerhouses if they maintain this level of performance.
Looking Ahead: Implications for Both Teams
This opening round victory provides Nongshim RedForce with a strong foundation to build upon as they progress through the Spring Season. Their next challenge will be to maintain this level of performance against stronger opponents and prove that they belong in the conversation with the league's elite teams.
For OKSavingsBank BRION, while the 0-2 result is disappointing, there were glimpses of potential, particularly in Ellim's Game 2 performance. The team will need to address their coordination issues and develop more consistent strategies across all lanes if they hope to improve their standing in the league.
With the LCK 2025 Spring Season running until June 1st and offering qualification spots for the World Championship, both teams still have ample opportunity to shape their destinies in what promises to be an exciting season of competitive League of Legends.