Nongshim RedForce secured a significant victory against Team Vitality at the Esports World Cup 2026, but star entry Lee “Dambi” Hyuk-kyu insists the win is merely a stepping stone toward a much larger objective. Following the quarter-final matchup, the Pacific region standout revealed that the team is setting their sights on becoming the first roster to claim both VCT Masters and Champions titles within a single year.

Quick Facts

  • Match Result: Nongshim RedForce defeated Team Vitality 2-1 (10-13, 13-7, 13-2).
  • Next Opponent: Nongshim RedForce faces 100 Thieves in the semifinals on July 11.
  • Dambi’s Performance: Finished the series with a 1.14 Rating and a 249 Average Combat Score.

Strategic Adaptability Over Fixed Plans

While the series began with a 13-10 loss on Ascent, Nongshim RedForce quickly found their footing, dominating on Split (13-7) and Breeze (13-2). According to Dambi, this comeback wasn't the result of a rigid anti-Vitality strategy. Instead, the team relied on reading their opponent's playstyle in real-time.

“We didn’t really prepare specifically for Vitality,” Dambi said in an interview with Dot Esports. “We analyzed really well on Vitality’s gameplay style, so I think we were able to read and counter those plays.”

Dambi emphasized that maintaining a superior mindset was critical to their success. By approaching the lobby with the belief that they were the better side, the squad was able to play with an aggressive pace that Vitality struggled to match as the series progressed.

Chasing VCT History

The ambition to win both Masters and Champions in 2026 defines the team's current trajectory. “No team in the world actually has won Masters and Champions in the same year,” Dambi noted. “So we’ll try to be the team that does that.”

Despite the grueling schedule that connects Masters, the ongoing Esports World Cup, and the upcoming VCT Pacific Stage 2, Dambi finds motivation in the constant competition. He also addressed the recent balance changes to Neon, expressing confidence in his ability to adapt his entry timing to the current meta.

Looking at the broader Valorant landscape, Dambi believes the scene is entering a period of transition. While acknowledging the strength of established teams like Vitality and G2, he pointed to rising rosters like BBL and Leviatán as evidence that the competitive hierarchy is shifting. “I think this is the time that the meta shifts,” he said.

Nongshim RedForce will look to continue their momentum when they take on 100 Thieves in the semifinals on July 11.