T1, the reigning champions of Worlds 2023, ended their cold streak in the LCK with a commanding performance at the Esports World Cup, securing their first EWC LoL title.
Their journey to victory wasn’t without challenges. After defeating teams like BLG, Team Liquid, and Top Esports, it was Team Liquid that seemed to pose the most significant threat to T1’s dominance.
Despite being a relatively new mid laner, APA managed to stand his ground against the legendary Faker in all three matches. This performance gave Western fans a glimmer of hope, even though Team Liquid eventually got eliminated from the tournament.
Domestically, T1 is currently tied for fourth place in the LCK standings, while Gen.G leads the region with an impressive 12-0 record. However, the dynamics were drastically different at the Esports World Cup. Gen.G was knocked out in the first round with a 0-2 loss to Top Esports.
This early exit sparked a debate within the community about whether this defeat should impact Gen.G’s pursuit of the Golden Road, a prestigious achievement in League of Legends.
Even if Gen.G continues to dominate the LCK for the rest of the Summer and wins Worlds 2024, their misstep at the Esports World Cup will be hard to forget.
T1, on the other hand, walked away with $400,000 and the honor of being the first EWC titleholders. Although this is another significant international victory for T1, an organization known for its excellence in LoL, many fans chose not to watch the tournament.
Concerns were raised about the Esports World Cup’s association with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, casting doubt on whether Riot Games would permit LoL to be part of the event initially. Back in 2020, the LEC had to cancel their partnership with NEOM due to overwhelming backlash from fans, a situation not mirrored in 2024 with the Esports World Cup.
Ultimately, T1 secured their final victory against Top Esports, with Faker picking Yasuo for the first time since 2022. This unexpected choice allowed him to dominate TES, reassuring fans that Faker still possesses his exceptional skills despite ongoing wrist issues.