Thus, the LCK Summer 2023 has concluded and Gen.G has once again claimed the championship while T1 has once again settled for the runner-up position. However, this time it is a bit different as T1 was not expected to do much, especially after struggling significantly in the group stage. Many fans might feel regretful that T1 could not complete their “miracle run” like DRX at the 2022 World Championship or T1 themselves in the Summer of 2019.
However, it is clear that the defeat left many T1 players feeling disheartened, especially those who had put in a lot of effort during the playoffs like Oner and Gumayusi. Many fans spotted Oner’s sad and regretful face during the final team fight in game 3. Clearly, there were moments when he did not perform well. But to be fair, Oner and Gumayusi were the two standout players for T1 during the playoffs. Some fans even stated: “Faker’s return immediately turned Oner into a ‘war god’.”
But according to commentator LS, after the finals, he observed that the T1 players seemed to have genuinely collapsed. The T1 players were also aware and careful in their picks and bans as well as during the fights, but they did not expect the entire team to crumble so quickly. According to LS: “The T1 players, except for Faker, probably lost their confidence. Three consecutive LCK finals and they were all decimated by Gen.G in every way possible.”
In reality, the mentality of the T1 players may be heavily affected after this defeat. However, the players likely understand that they still have one more chance at the 2023 World Championship to strive for. Of course, besides the strong opponents from LCK, there are also names from LPL that could pose challenges for T1. Especially JD Gaming and Bilibili Gaming, both of whom have defeated T1 at least once.
And the T1 players will need to regain their spirits as soon as possible. Another defeat would mean an empty domestic season, but if they do not bounce back soon, they could fall further at the upcoming World Championship.