T1 has not been on good form lately but few people expected them to drop a clean 0-2 against KT Rolster last weekend
After a close and heartbreaking defeat at Worlds 2022, T1 decided not to change their roster for 2023 season. After all why fix what isn’t broken, the team did finish 2nd and only by a 2-3 score.
However 2023 has not got better for them. The team started the year with an impressive 17-1 score that landed them 1st place in LCK Spring, but fell to GenG eventually in the Playoffs Grand Finals. It was fortunate that MSI 2023 changed format and had 2 LCK teams instead of the usual 1. Nevertheless, T1 also did not have more success at the Mid-season, placing 3rd after consecutive defeats to Bilibili Gaming and eventual champions JD Gaming.
Fans were hoping the break between seasons would recuperate the team and improve their results. Straight off week 1, T1 again was defeated 1-2 by longtime nemesis GenG. They did not ban or pick Zeri and instead went for Draven as ADC. Peyz’s Zeri finished game 3 with a 11-1-3 score.
Flash forward to week 3, T1 faces KT Rolster (dubbed as Telecom war by fans). KT had been on the rise and is on really good form, but few would bet on a win, not to mention a clean 2-0 over T1. KT’s toplaner Kiin landed multiple 2-man ults on Gumayusi and Faker for some reason, and Aiming makes sure to finish the job with a phenomenal 21/1/13 total KDA in the series.
The loss saw T1 drop to 4th place in LCK Summer, and while they’re not in danger of not qualifying to Worlds 2023 yet, fans have cause for concern with their recent results. To be fair, T1 placed 2nd at Worlds, 2nd in LCK Spring, 3rd at MSI; those placements are really good and it’s hard to stay at the top with the insane level of competition at LCK and international events.
However, expectations are high for T1, and being fan favorites, everyone wants to see them in a Grand Finals. Their drafting has been questionable, and Oner and Zeus are simply not playing at their best for the last half a year. Hopefully the team could resolve whatever issues that are holding them back and. be back in time for Worlds 3 months from now.
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