The League of Legends Champions Korea Cup 2025 witnessed an intense battle between Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) and T1, culminating in Zeus and his squad securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Faker’s team.
The matchup not only sent shockwaves through the tournament but also served as poetic revenge for Zeus, who had previously been a key part of T1’s 2024 World Championship-winning roster before departing in the offseason.
A Series Defined by Fearless Drafts and Bold Strategies
HLE kicked off the series with a dominant game one, setting the tone early. However, T1, unfazed, struck back in game two with a commanding performance on the blue side. Despite the introduction of Fearless Drafts—a system limiting champion repetitions—teams largely adhered to their comfort picks, with only minor variations such as Keria’s Pyke support making an impact.
Game three saw the Fearless Draft format start to take its toll on both teams, leading to unorthodox picks. Faker pulled out Mel for the first time in his career, while Keria experimented with LeBlanc support. Despite some creative plays, HLE maintained their composure and edged ahead, bringing the series to a decisive game five.
Zeus and the Yasuo-Diana Combo Break T1
T1, determined to regain control, went for a stable draft in game four, while HLE opted for a riskier strategy with Corki ADC and the lethal Yasuo-Diana wombo combo. Oner’s exceptional Smite steals nearly turned the tides for T1, but Zeus’ Aatrox led the charge, forcing a final game.
In the decisive game five, T1 attempted an aggressive early-game approach by diving Zeus, but their execution fell short. The match remained close until the very end, with T1 coming within one tower of victory. However, Zeus’ Olaf surged through T1’s defenses, dismantling their frontline and securing HLE’s survival in the tournament.
Zeus Emerges as the Star Player Against His Former Team
Zeus’ performance throughout the series cemented him as the player of the match, delivering a performance that undoubtedly stings for T1 fans. Once the backbone of T1’s 2024 Worlds-winning squad, his departure in the offseason due to contract disagreements proved costly for Faker’s team. T1 had signed Doran as his replacement, but the loss of Zeus was felt deeply in this series.
What’s Next for T1?
With this loss, T1’s hopes of representing Korea in the first-ever Fearless Drafts First Stand tournament have been dashed. Their immediate focus now shifts to the upcoming LCK season, where they must regroup and aim for qualification to MSI 2025.
Compounding their struggles is the absence of ADC Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, who has been sidelined, with academy player Sin “Smash” Geum-jae stepping in. While Smash has delivered promising performances, T1 sorely misses Gumayusi’s experience and synergy with the team.
Conclusion
HLE’s victory over T1 in the LCK Cup 2025 not only cements their status as a rising force in Korean League of Legends but also highlights the impact of roster changes on T1’s performance.
With Zeus thriving in his new role and T1 struggling to fill the void, the upcoming LCK season will be a crucial test for Faker and his squad as they look to reclaim their former glory.
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