T1 Claims First KeSPA Cup Title with Dominant Victory Against HLE

T1 has added another trophy to their collection, clinching their first-ever KeSPA Cup by defeating Hanwha Life Esports with a nail-biting 3-2 scoreline. This victory comes after their impressive three-peat World Championship run.

In the opening match, Keria’s Alistar was instrumental, keeping a close eye on his former teammate and effectively neutralizing him. T1 maintained control throughout the game, with Faker’s squad executing well in crucial teamfights, thanks in part to Oner’s unconventional Jayce jungle pick that provided significant poke damage.

The second match took a different turn, wrapping up in under 25 minutes. Zeus showcased his Nidalee in the top lane, which boasted a perfect win rate leading into the game. The Aphelios and Blitzcrank duo dominated early on, while Oner’s Xin Zhao played a pivotal role in teamfights and objective control, allowing T1 to confidently secure the second game.

In a must-win situation for HLE, they made a strong comeback, led by Zeka’s Taliyah and Kanavi’s Vi. They dictated the pace early on, gradually gaining the upper hand through teamfights and securing the Chemtech soul, which helped them stay alive in the finals.

The fourth game turned into a chaotic showdown, with a staggering 69 kills between both teams. Faker’s Yasuo kept the match exciting, as both sides traded blows without anyone gaining a definitive edge. Ultimately, Gumayusi’s Miss Fortune created a crucial opening for HLE with his ultimate, even as T1 secured the Hextech Soul, pushing the series to a decisive final match.

The final game featured some unconventional picks, including Kassadin and Shen, while T1’s bot lane opted for the rarely seen Zeri-Yuumi combo. Despite its mixed success in the past, the composition thrived with Peyz at the helm, as T1 dominated from start to finish, leaving HLE with no chance to mount a comeback.

In the post-match interview, Faker expressed his joy, stating, “This was my first time participating, and being able to win the KeSPA Cup makes me extremely happy. On top of that, our team competed with a new member, and securing the championship in our very first tournament together makes the experience genuinely rewarding.” Peyz was named Finals MVP, marking the KeSPA Cup as his first official tournament since the Red Bull League of Its Own.

With the competitive season for 2025 now concluded, teams will shift their focus to rest and preparation as the holiday season approaches, gearing up for the LCK Cup in 2026.