T1 defeated the strong opponent HLE, securing a great opening victory! Kanavi made multiple critical mistakes, while Doran's Akali danced through the fight.

The LCK Cup BO3 match between T1 and HLE featured T1’s starting lineup of Doran top, Oner jungle, Faker mid, and Peyz alongside Keria bot; HLE responded with Zeus top, Kanavi jungle, Zeka mid, and Gumayusi paired with Delight bot. After three intense games, T1 emerged victorious with a 2-1 score, taking the first win of the season!

In the first game, T1 picked Aphelios top, Pantheon jungle, Ryze mid, and Lucian with Lumen in the bot lane; HLE chose Rumble top, Vi jungle, Taliyah mid, and Tristana with Alistar bot. Around 3 minutes, HLE ganked top, but Oner’s Pantheon countered, resulting in a 1-for-1 trade with Zeus’s Rumble securing first blood. T1 then repeatedly targeted Zeus’s Rumble, while HLE successfully pressured bot lane and secured two dragons. Early game gold was nearly even between both teams.

At 17 minutes, HLE secured a dragon that put them on dragon soul watch. At 27 minutes, HLE found an opportunity mid to kill Peyz’s Lucian. Although Faker’s Ryze traded kills with Kanavi’s Vi, HLE won a 1-for-4 team fight, claiming the first Baron and the ocean soul. Around 30 minutes, HLE caught Faker’s Ryze; Faker managed to solo kill Zeka’s Taliyah but was then killed by multiple HLE members. At 34 minutes, HLE swiftly took their second Baron. At 35 minutes, Delight’s Alistar and Zeus’s Rumble ult combo stopped T1’s team, allowing HLE to secure the Elder Dragon and wipe T1, winning the first game. The highest damage dealer for T1 was Peyz’s Lucian, while Gumayusi’s Tristana led HLE’s damage.

In the second game, HLE played Gnar top, Wukong jungle, Aurelion Sol mid, and Ziggs with Rell bot; T1 chose Quasanti top, Xin Zhao jungle, Sylas mid, and Aphelios with Lulu bot. At 3 minutes, a river skirmish broke out where Faker’s Sylas scored a double kill and first blood. Early on, T1 secured two dragons and held a 2k gold lead.

At 17 minutes, Zeka’s Aurelion Sol solo killed Faker’s Sylas. At 21 minutes, T1’s top lane ganked and killed Zeus’s Gnar, while HLE’s bot lane gank failed. T1 then took the first Baron. When HLE tried to contest, Oner’s Xin Zhao ult initiated a fight that resulted in T1 killing four HLE members. Finally, at 26 minutes, T1 easily won the second game after killing three HLE players at their base.

In the third game, T1 picked Akali top, Nocturne jungle, Orianna mid, and Sivir with Bard bot; HLE chose Rek’Sai top, Jarvan jungle, Kassadin mid, and Jhin with Nautilus bot. During the laning phase, several small skirmishes occurred with T1 executing perfect coordination while HLE made consecutive mistakes, allowing T1 to start with a 7-1 kill lead and a 3k gold advantage early on.

At 20 minutes, Doran’s Akali outplayed Kanavi’s Jarvan in a 1v2 duel, while Oner’s Nocturne ult flew mid to kill Gumayusi’s Jhin. Following that, T1 pursued and secured a 3-for-0 fight, taking the first Baron. At 27 minutes, T1 secured the dragon soul watch. Finally, at 28 minutes, T1 initiated a tower dive team fight, killing three HLE members at their base and sealing the match victory.

So, what are your thoughts on this match? Feel free to share and discuss your opinions in the comment section below.