Worlds 2024: T1 vs TES, Who Will Go to the Semifinals?

Today, we’re entering the back half of the Worlds 2024 quarterfinals. The third matchup is an important one. Defending Worlds and Esports World Cup Champions T1 will be going up against TOP Esports for a spot in the top four. This LCK vs LPL matchup has the potential to go either way.

One thing is for sure though, the fans and script writers would love for Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s side to come out on top.

Recent History Shows Mixed Signals

Despite hailing from different regions, T1 and TES have played a lot of games against each other this year. The squads met for the first time at EWC, in the Grand Finals no less. Though TES had a strong run that saw them shoot to finals without dropping a game, T1 managed to stop them in their tracks and take the international trophy.

T1 and TES also fought in the first round of Swiss earlier at Worlds. This time, it was TOP Esports that got the better of T1. That said, it was a best-of-one, and both teams managed to qualify for playoffs with a 3-1 record.

This is relatively a lot of history to go off of as far as League of Legends esports goes, but still not anywhere near enough to accurately predict this series. TOP Esports came into Worlds 2024 as the LPL’s second seed, while T1 barely snuck into the fourth seed for the LCK.

By this point in Worlds though, pre-tournament strength matters much less than a team’s meta read and composure in big moments. And historically, T1 has both of those in spades.

Trailblazers Stay a Step Ahead

Last year, T1’s improbable run to the World Championship was fueled mainly by being the ones who set the meta. We know from their few stage games and behind the scenes info that they’re trying to do something similar again this Worlds.

The Nocturne Ahri Jungle/Mid duo has been spearheaded largely by T1 and will likely be a big part of this match. The teams who have tried to replicate this strategy have seen it largely fall flat, leaving questions as to how impactful T1 could make it look in the playoffs. If T1 can snag an early win with it, it will force TES to adapt either by banning or picking away these comfort champions.

For TES, they’ve been sticking largely to the ol’ reliable meta. Aurora is a pick that will be prioritized if not perma-banned by T1. Other than that, TES mostly plays to have a big beefy frontline with picks like K’Sante and Skarner so that star ADC Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo can carry the game.

The big question is if T1’s bot lane can shut down TES’s. Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok are known innovators in bot lane play. They might have something interesting cooked up, or maybe even a good old-fashioned Draven.