T1 will be the team holding the ‘secret’ before the clash with TES
In recent international tournaments, Top Esports and T1 have begun to form a relationship of “rivalry”. It all started at the 2024 Esports World Cup when T1 defeated TES to claim the championship. Recently, the LPL representative managed to beat T1 in a match where TES had the perfect blend of skill and luck. Now, fate has drawn them to face each other again in the first quarter-finals of both teams at Worlds 2024.
T1 and TES have almost identical playstyles: a Mid Laner capable of making plays, a talented Support, a Top Laner who can carry when in form, a Jungle filled with surprises, and especially two of the best Marksmen in the world. However, at Worlds, T1 could be the team holding the ‘secret’ with several advantages over TES.
Firstly, T1 is in good form as they have started to regain their winning rhythm, recently defeating two strong opponents, Bilibili Gaming and G2 Esports. Meanwhile, after beating T1, TES has struggled a bit. They faced a crushing defeat against Gen.G and only advanced by defeating two significantly weaker teams, Fnatic and Dplus KIA. Furthermore, in the last encounter between the two teams in a BO5 match, T1 completely crushed TES without allowing them to win a single game (EWC 2024 finals).
Additionally, T1 has another psychological factor. In the history of all their Worlds appearances, T1 has never lost to any LPL team in BO3 or BO5 matches. Even the formidable JD Gaming of 2023 managed to secure only one game victory against T1. Moreover, last year, T1 defeated all four LPL teams in BO3 and BO5 matches to claim the championship.
T1 Still Cannot Be Completely Relaxed
However, as mentioned, TES is a strong team and T1 cannot just rely on the past for confidence. A small mistake could cost them dearly. Even Gen.G’s undefeated lineup once had to “suffer” against TES.
The match against TES will be the first crucial hurdle that T1 must overcome. Whether history will repeat itself or not remains to be seen in the performance of Faker and his teammates.