Following their 0–2 defeat against KT Rolster at the 2025 League of Legends World Championship Swiss Stage, Top Esports left the stage visibly disheartened. As a team with a history of success, the expectations were considerable, especially on familiar grounds. The disappointment was most keenly felt by their head coach Yoon «Homme» Sung-young.
After the match, Homme took accountability for the loss, contemplating the mistakes made during the games and attributing much of the outcome to his choices.
«I believe the majority of the responsibility lies with me today because the opposing team secured many advantageous draft picks,» Homme expressed in an exclusive discussion with Dot Esports. «We identified numerous errors during objective fights, and I reckon that if we refine those areas, we can prepare thoroughly for a better performance next time.»
He recognized that KT had effectively outplayed them from the dilation of the draft stage. Throughout both matches, the compositions deployed by the LCK fourth seed appeared more cohesive and strategically sound, particularly in their engagements around neutral objectives, something Top Esports struggled with. Their objective control was lacking, having captured just two Dragons in the first game and one in the next, while the opponent secured the soul.
Homme also mentioned that some difficulties stemmed from the draft itself, notably his initial choice to select Jarvan IV, a champion that has not yet thrived in the 2025 Worlds, with a current record of 0–9. However, he clarified that the issue lies not with the champion but rather with how it integrates into the team’s overall strategy.
«Jarvan IV as a champion is not problematic, but proper synergy with specific champions is crucial to maximize its potential. He excels against compositions lacking mobility,» he explained.
Upon reflection, Homme felt he may have been too hasty in prioritizing the pick. «I believe my error was picking him too quickly during the champion selection,» he admitted.
With several other AD jungle champions recently receiving nerfs, Jarvan has become a reliable choice for many teams, a trend Homme now questions. «Recently, a number of teams have opted for him too quickly. This isn’t advisable,» he indicated.
Despite the setback, Homme rapidly redirected his focus towards improvement. «I truly believe there are lessons to be learned from this misstep,» he stated. «Moving forward, it’s crucial to rectify our approach and ensure we come well-prepared for the next matchup.»
Top Esports still have an opportunity to advance in the Swiss Stage, but the margin for error is narrowing as they face stronger opponents moving ahead, complicating their road to the knockout stage. Nonetheless, if Homme’s reflections lead to actionable changes and the team addresses their current challenges, they hold the potential to emerge as favorites to clinch victory in China.
