Communities Left in Awe as T1 Qualifies For Their Fourth Consecutive Worlds Finals

T1 has done it once again. In the second Worlds 25 semifinals match between T1 vs TOP Esports, T1 took a convincing 3-0 victory over TES to qualify for their fourth consecutive Worlds finals. Their performance has left the communities all over the world in shock, as they’ve set numerous records with their latest victory that solidified T1’s legacy even further in LoL Esports.

Here’s how the various LoL communities around the world reacted to their monumental victory.

Setting and chasing new records

If there’s one team at Worlds where this year’s theme, “Earn Your Legacy” fits all too perfectly, it’s T1. Coming into Worlds as LCK’s #4 seed again this year, fans were less hopeful of their run due to their inconsistencies throughout the regular LCK season. Furthermore, they also had their backs against the wall, as they were on the brink of elimination with two losses. However, T1 in the knockout stage has been a different team. Their cutthroat quarterfinals victory against Anyone’s Legend seemingly improved their game drastically, as the communities were left in awe of how T1 always becomes stronger as they get closer to the Summoner’s Cup.

A poster made by a user from the LPL community after T1’s victory over TES

The series MVP, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, earned himself more nicknames from the Chinese community. Coming into the series, they were already using the Chinese saying, “The Longest River, The Highest Mountain” to describe him due to his presence as the unmoveable obstacle for the LPL; with this victory, he’s also learned a new nickname for himself, the ‘Master of Fate’, praising how he has ‘now ascended to god mode.’

The KR community had much praise for top laner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon, as they joked how his desperation as the only current T1 player to not have lifted the Summoner’s Cup had him especially locked in for the semifinals. They were also confused as to how he was able to deal the most damage on game 3, on a champion that’s traditionally associated more as a tank for the team, Sion. Even T1 legends such as Bae “Bang” Jun-sik, chimed in to praise Doran. “There must’ve been immense pressure on Doran due to how he replaced Zeus this year. It must feel very surreal for him and the fans to see him make it all the way here after fighting through all the noise.”

The first Telecom War finals since 2017

The communities around the world shared how they’re especially excited for this year’s finals, as the “Telecom” War, a term historically used to describe the rivalry between T1 and KT, was set for the penultimate conclusion of Worlds 25. The last time these two played each other in the finals was back in 2017 Spring, where SKT (T1) stood victorious against KT at the time. However, the community pointed out how immensely parallel this year is to 2022, as KT rides a similar wave of hype that once led DRX to becoming champions. With so much on the line for both teams, this year’s finals will truly be the one to be remembered.