Hanwha Life Esports decisively defeated T1 during the first set of the 2025 LCK Spring Split playoffs held on February 13, 2025, at the LCK Arena located in Jongno, Seoul. The showdown, which was part of the 2025 LCK Cup playoffs, carried high stakes, with the losing team facing immediate elimination.
From the very beginning, Hanwha Life, led by their formidable duo of 'Viper' Park Do-hyeon and 'Zeus' Choi Woo-jae, showcased their dominance. The excitement among fans was palpable as the match unfolded, with Hanwha Life quickly taking control of the early game. Both teams' bottom lanes clashed early on, but it was Hanwha who emerged as the clear victors thanks to early kills.
According to OSEN's Ko Yong-jun, "A beautiful start for Hanwha Life Esports as they take the first set with ease." Their strategy paid off handsomely when 'Viper' scored double kills, building momentum for their side. After securing this early lead, Hanwha Life pushed their advantage, launching aggressive plays and claiming important objectives.
One highlight of the match was Hanwha Life's effective use of their champions, executing their tactics smoothly as they dominated T1 on all fronts. The synergy between 'Viper' and 'Zeus' proved to be pivotal, with 'Zeus' demonstrating great skill with Jayce, dismantling T1's defenses one play at a time. This impressive cooperation was noted by Xports News’ Park Ji-young, who stated, "The synergy between 'Viper' and 'Zeus' was the key to their success tonight."
T1, on the other hand, seemed unable to capitalize on their strategies, as their attempts to reposition and attack were consistently thwarted by Hanwha Life's calculated defenses. With each kill, the gold difference widened—by the 25-minute mark, Hanwha Life had established a remarkable lead. They seized the opportunity to claim their first set victory, ending the game after destroying T1's Nexus.
Hankyung pointed out the historical significance of this matchup, noting, "This is the first face-off since the offseason trade involving 'Zeus' and 'Doran'; it’s thrilling for the fans." The offseason swap had amplified the rivalry's intensity, making this showdown all the more compelling.
Fans are now left anticipating what the future holds for both teams following this thrilling encounter. Mammoth expectations follow Hanwha Life, aiming to build on their strong performance, with many eyes on their next match scheduled for the playoffs.
With the stakes high and teams' fates hanging by the final results, every match promises excitement and fierce competition as the LCK playoffs continue to heat up.