Nongshim finish unbeaten as the KeSPA Cup opens in Daejeon

The KeSPA Cup opened in Daejeon with nine cross-group best-of-one matches. Nongshim RedForce produced the only unbeaten daily record.

Six teams appeared three times during the programme. Every nexus ended one separate match and added a result to the group table.

Nongshim begin with a win over BRION

Nongshim faced HANJIN BRION in the opening slot. They won the single game and returned later against two different opponents.

DN SOOPers then defeated BNK FEARX. That result gave DN their only victory during the compact opening schedule.

Nongshim’s second opponent was KT Rolster. Another win placed Nongshim ahead before the middle block had finished.

The best-of-one format made each start important. Every game placed the team against a different opponent.

The middle block creates mixed records

HANJIN BRION recovered by beating DN SOOPers. Both teams now held one win from their first two appearances.

BNK FEARX also responded after their opening loss. They defeated KIWOOM DRX and handed DRX their only defeat of the day.

KT Rolster then beat DN SOOPers. KT had answered the earlier Nongshim loss, while DN finished their programme at one win.

Three teams therefore carried mixed records into the final block. Nongshim remained the only side without a defeat.

Six teams rotate through three opponents

The schedule created eighteen team appearances across nine matches. Each organisation entered the stage three separate times.

Each team faced three different opponents during the programme. Every result added a fresh pairing to the opening table.

Nongshim met BRION, KT and BNK. Three victories made their record simple despite the rapid opponent changes.

DRX recover during the closing games

KIWOOM DRX defeated HANJIN BRION in the seventh match. The result levelled DRX’s record after their loss to BNK.

Nongshim then beat BNK FEARX. Their third victory completed a perfect opening programme against BRION, KT and BNK.

DRX closed the day by defeating KT Rolster. That win gave DRX two victories from three separate opponents.

Nongshim finished 3-0, while DRX ended 2-1. The other four teams each completed the day with one win.

A different regional competition produced Zeu5’s three-game comeback against Lyon Academy, where two victories belonged to one best-of-three series.

Three opponents test every line-up

The event used cross-group best-of-one fixtures. Every draft brought a fresh opponent and a new lane match-up.

Nongshim faced BRION, KT and BNK. Their players adjusted quickly while keeping the same winning result.

DRX met BNK, BRION and KT. Wins in the last two games lifted them behind Nongshim.

The format rewarded fast preparation. A single poor opening could decide each short meeting.

The daily records balance exactly

The nine matches produced nine wins and nine losses. Nongshim claimed one third of all victories during the opening programme.

DRX supplied two more wins. BRION, KT, DN SOOPers and BNK divided the remaining four between them.

Every team completed three matches. The equal workload produced a clear first comparison between the six records.

The table stays open after the first programme

Nongshim gained the strongest start, but the opening results did not complete the group phase. Further cross-group matches remain.

DRX recovered well after losing to BNK. Their wins over BRION and KT kept them close to the early leaders.

BRION, KT, DN SOOPers and BNK each showed one successful match. None produced a second victory during this programme.

Each of those four teams beat one opponent. Two further losses left them level behind DRX.

Those records enter the wider group standings. Advancement depends on the complete schedule rather than one busy day.

Daejeon receives a clear opening order

The games took place at Daejeon Convention Center II. Short breaks separated several appearances by the same organisation.

Nongshim handled that rotation without losing. DRX supplied the next best result after recovering from their first defeat.

The nine completed matches established the first table. Nongshim leave the opener as the only team with three wins.

Two teams separate from the middle group

Nongshim ended one win ahead of DRX. DRX stood one win ahead of each team in the four-way middle group.

BNK produced the only victory over DRX. Nongshim avoided that setback and defeated BNK in the closing block.

The nine games produced the opening table. Nongshim led DRX. Four teams followed with one win each.

All six organisations carried an equal three-match sample into the standings after the final game.