As the Swiss Stage of the Worlds 2025 nears completion, anticipation is building for an exciting matchup between CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) and FlyQuest, marking their first-ever encounter. The conclusion of Round 4 this Friday will lead to the draw for the knockout and qualifying series, with the match set for 7 AM CET.
CFO has had a challenging road through the Swiss Stage, impressively defeating Fnatic and surprising many by overcoming T1. Unfortunately, they subsequently fell to tougher opponents from the LCK and LPL, notably Anyone’s Legend and Hanwha Life Esports. In contrast, FlyQuest began their journey with a loss to T1 but made a comeback with victories against Vivo Keyd Stars and Team Secret Whales before succumbing to G2 Esports. This will be their inaugural meeting, adding intrigue to the matchup.
Both teams represent the last hope for their respective regions. The LTA sent FlyQuest and 100 Thieves, the latter falling to T1, while Vivo Keyd Stars also faced elimination at the hands of BLG. The LCP’s situation is even more daunting, with PSG Talon exiting with a 0-3 record and Team Secret Whales being eliminated with a 1-3 finish. Thus, CFO and FlyQuest stand as the final teams aiming to represent their leagues, with hopes hanging in the balance.
CFO is entering the matchup as the favored team. They’ve battled against tougher opponents and notably defeated two-time defending World Champions T1. A significant aspect to note is that CFO has yet to find success from the red side, while FlyQuest has shown proficiency in this regard. With CFO being drawn first, they will have side selection for Game 1, a critical advantage that could influence the overall outcome.
The series promises to be tightly contested, potentially reaching three games. Key performers in the match will be Kacper “Inspired” Słoma and Yu “JunJia” Chun-chia, whose jungle plays will be vital in maintaining tempo for their teams. The midlane duel between Song “Quad” Su-hyeong and Tsai “HongQ” Ming-Hong is expected to be pivotal, as Quad’s recent performance has been challenged despite earlier expectations of him dominating.
A notable battleground will be the toplane, featuring Gabriël “Bwipo” Rau for FlyQuest against Hsu “Rest” Shih-Chieh and Shen “Driver” Tsung-Hua for CFO. This matchup presents opportunities for varied picks and lane dynamics, proving to be an essential factor for the teams.
CFO’s advantage may ultimately hinge on their botlane performance. Chiu “Doggo” Tzu-Chuan emerges as CFO’s primary carry, while FlyQuest’s Fahad “Massu” Abdulmalek faces complexities within the team’s dynamics. Statistics reveal Doggo’s superior performance: higher KDA, enhanced kill participation, and impressive damage per minute. He leads in total kills and assists, showcasing his impact throughout the tournament, particularly exemplified by his standout Draven performance against T1.
As both teams prepare for this critical clash, fans eagerly await which region will progress and which will not. With strong performances expected from both sides, the matchup is set to be a captivating event in the Worlds 2025 championship landscape.