T1 Extends Winning Streak With Commanding Hanwha Victory

On August 2, 2025, the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) witnessed an electrifying showdown at the LoL Park LCK Arena in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as T1 faced off against Hanwha Life Esports in the 2025 LCK regular season Legend Group Round 3. The match, which was highly anticipated by fans, showcased T1's relentless drive and tactical prowess as they swept Hanwha Life Esports 2-0, extending their winning streak to four games and intensifying the race for the top spot in the league.

Heading into the match, T1 was riding high on a three-game winning streak in Round 3, holding a record of 14 wins and 7 losses. They were trailing Hanwha Life Esports, who occupied second place, by two games. The stakes were clear: a victory for T1 would narrow the gap and boost their challenge for supremacy in the league. Adding to the team's momentum was the recent successful four-year contract renewal of their star mid-laner, Lee Sang-hyeok, famously known as Faker, a cornerstone of T1's lineup.

T1's coach, Kim Jeong-gyun, expressed his determination to secure a win before the match. He revealed that the team had focused their practice sessions on operations and combat strategies, tailoring their preparation according to the tier list and their opponent's tendencies. "I hope all players perform well and that we secure victory," Kim said, optimistically predicting a 2-1 scoreline. However, he also candidly acknowledged the physical toll on players, stating, "Players say they are fine, but personally, I think they are not fully okay yet. Fatigue accumulates and may not show immediately, but will affect performance later. It will take more time for them to reach peak condition." Kim also stressed the strength of Hanwha Life Esports, warning against complacency until the final moment of victory.

The match kicked off with T1 on the blue side, a strategic choice explained by Coach Kim as providing an easier framework for ban-pick compositions during preparation. T1's starting roster featured Doran (Choi Hyeon-jun) in the top lane, Oner (Mun Hyeon-jun) as jungler, Faker in mid, Gumayusi (Lee Min-hyeong) as ADC, and Keria (Ryu Min-seok) as support. Hanwha Life Esports countered with Zeus (Choi Woo-je) top, Peanut (Han Wang-ho) jungle, Zeka (Kim Geon-woo) mid, Viper (Park Do-hyeon) ADC, and Delight (Yoo Hwan-jung) support.

In the first set, T1's composition of Renekton, Jarvan IV, Galio, Jhin, and Bard on the blue side clashed against Hanwha Life Esports' Aatrox, Wukong, Orianna, Lucian, and Rakan. The early game saw T1 take the initiative, with Faker and Oner coordinating to eliminate Zeka in mid lane, setting the tone. T1 capitalized on this momentum through successive mid-lane ganks and objective control, including securing three Dragon stacks with the help of a key pick-off on Viper before the Dragon fight. The mid-game team fights highlighted Gumayusi's crowd control chains and Keria's ultimate ability, which proved decisive as T1 wiped out Hanwha Life Esports and claimed Baron. Maintaining pressure through smaller skirmishes, T1's Doran eventually destroyed Hanwha Life's main base, sealing a clean and commanding first set victory.

The second set unfolded with Hanwha Life Esports on the blue side, selecting Aatrox, Maokai, Azir, Senna, and Alistar, while T1 opted for K'Sante, Trundle, Taliyah, Sivir, and Nami. Early skirmishes saw T1 gain the upper hand by taking down Delight in the top lane, though Peanut responded by eliminating Keria. Oner's timely arrival to kill Viper shifted the fight decisively in T1's favor. Hanwha Life Esports managed to mount a counterattack, initiated by Zeka's entry and bolstered by Viper's multiple kills on Senna, gradually building their strength.

Despite Hanwha Life's efforts, T1 regained control by eliminating their key damage dealers near the Dragon pit and leveraging Faker's skill synergy alongside Gumayusi's damage output in mid-game fights. Peanut's Dragon steal momentarily swung momentum towards Hanwha Life, but subsequent team fights saw their core champions fall, allowing T1 to maintain dominance. A tense Baron fight featured strong performances from Viper and Zeka, resulting in T1 being aced and Hanwha Life seizing Baron and Dragon consecutively, setting the stage for a potential comeback.

However, T1's superior concentration and communication shone through in the final moments. They executed a flawless team fight, cutting down Hanwha Life's key players and immediately pushing into the enemy base to destroy the nexus, clinching the second set and the match with a 2-0 sweep. This victory marked T1's fourth consecutive win in the league, underscoring their resilience and tactical excellence amid a demanding schedule.

Reflecting on the match, T1's jungler and team leader Mun Hyeon-jun, known as 'Oner,' highlighted the team's focus and composure. "The first set was clean, and winning the second set, despite its difficulties, was very satisfying because we stayed focused until the end," he said. He recalled the critical moment in the second set when, despite losing a lead to a comeback by Hanwha Life, the team made a bold call to push the nexus, confident in their team fight strength. "We believed in our resilience and ability to perform better in team fights, which enabled us to finish the game decisively," Oner explained.

Coach Kim also praised the team's communication and adaptability during the match. "Although we maintained a favorable flow throughout, there were challenging moments. The players communicated effectively and made appropriate calls to navigate those situations," he stated. Both coach and players acknowledged the grueling schedule of Round 3 but found motivation in the opportunity to compete frequently. "At the time, the packed schedule felt tough, but looking back, it was fun, and playing many matches is a great chance for players," Oner remarked.

Looking ahead, T1 is set to face their longtime rivals Gen.G on August 7, 2025. Oner expressed confidence despite a new patch update, noting, "I don't think the patch will bring major changes, and we are confident we can win against Gen.G." As T1 continues to chase the top spot, their recent performances against strong teams like Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G signal a formidable challenge to any contender.

Meanwhile, Hanwha Life Esports maintains their hold on second place but now face a narrower margin, just one game ahead of T1. The intensity of the Legend Group battle is escalating, promising thrilling matches as the season progresses.

T1's blend of strategic depth, player skill, and mental fortitude is on full display this season. With key players like Faker secured for the long term and a coaching staff that emphasizes preparation and communication, T1 is poised to continue their ascent in the fiercely competitive LCK landscape.