Via yardbarker.com
DN SOOPers upset Nongshim RedForce 2-1, face elimination risk in LCK
The perennial underdogs picked up a much-needed win but remain on the brink of elimination from Korea's top League of Legends competition
DN SOOPers pulled off a surprising upset against Nongshim RedForce with a 2-0 victory during Week 11 of LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4. It’s the kind of win that would normally warrant celebration, except the team’s season has been so rough that even a victory comes with an asterisk: they still face elimination from the league.
Sharvel earned Player of the Match honors for his performance across the series. The win marked just the team’s second series victory in the current round.
A win that doesn’t fix the math
DN SOOPers entered this match carrying a 5-10 record in their group stage, a number that puts them squarely in the danger zone for relegation.
The roster features a mix of players including DuDu, Sharvel, Pyosik, Clozer, deokdam, and Peter. The organization has posted records as dire as 1-17 and 3-19 in previous seasons.
Nongshim RedForce have been inconsistent throughout 2026. This loss fits a pattern of dropped series against opponents they’re expected to handle.
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The rebrand that hasn’t changed the results
DN SOOPers entered 2026 under a new identity, having rebranded from DN Freecs after the organization transitioned its sponsorship to DN Solutions and the SOOP streaming platform.
The LCK remains one of the most competitive regional leagues in professional League of Legends, home to organizations like T1 and Gen.G that regularly contend at the World Championship.
What elimination risk actually looks like
In the LCK’s format, teams that finish at the bottom of the standings face the very real possibility of losing their spot in Korea’s top division. For DN SOOPers, elimination risk isn’t a hypothetical scenario — it’s the lived reality of their season, with a 5-10 group stage record placing them near the basement of the standings.