This Friday, the LFL Up & Downs concluded, granting a 10th ticket to the LFL 2025 season to a new challenger. The tournament featured two teams from the second divisionâIZI Dream and Ici Japon Corp. Esportsâalong with the last-placed team from the LFL 2024 season, Aegis. After multiple best-of-five series, IJC emerged as the new worthy participant. Unfortunately, the tournament's conclusion also marked the end of Aegis' run in the LFL, at least for the time being, after two full seasons in the league.
Ici Japon Corp. maintained their streak despite an initial defeat
In the opening best-of-five between Aegis and IJC, the Division 2 champions were initially shaken by the shield, suffering a 3-0 defeat. IJC struggled with macro play and couldn't compensate for their lack of mid-game cohesion through efficient teamfights, a strategy they had relied on throughout the LFL2 season.
IJC still had a chance in these Up & Downs thanks to their higher seed, and had to face their nemesis from the LFL2 finals: IZI Dream. The series wasn't much different from the regular season matchups. Ć imon "OMON" ĆihĂĄÄek dominated Kamil "Kamiloo" Haudegond overall, while neither team managed to truly out-macro the other. In the end, thanks to their experience, IJC secured victory in objective fights, preventing Sergi "CRoNiiK" Señé Molist from taking over any games.
With this win, IJC earned a rematch against Aegis, in a format some considered unfair, as IJC could afford a loss while Aegis could not. This match would determine which team would join the LFL in 2025. A different draft plan saw IJC playing more dive comps and putting their mid-laner in a position to lead the team throughout the game. Matthew Luke "Deadly" Smith also stepped up during the series, being key to his teamâs success in 5v5s, while Aleksandar "Patkica" StefanoviÄ emerged as the X-factor. Although Aegis excelled in macro playâan edge that could have won them the second game if IJC hadnât caught Äai-vinh "Veignorem" Lussiezâin 5v5 teamfights, IJCâs execution was superior.
However, this result might not mark the end of Aegis' time in the LFL, as Team Du Sud's slot is set to go on sale. In 2023, IZI Dream did not initially qualify for the LFL but managed to acquire the slot of the departing Mirage Elyandra, so a similar scenario could unfold next season.
