Introduction: The S15 season matches have officially started, and nearly all players have focused on the recent offseason. With the World Championship imminent, IG and T1 will battle for a spot to advance. Their respective posters have drawn intense attention from gamers everywhere. IG states they disregard origins and only strive for greatness, while T1 boasts of being peerless worldwide. Based on Korean server training, IG's jungler Wei is in good form, climbing into the top five on the server after a winning streak. The key battle seems to be in the mid lane between Rookie and Faker. Although Rookie has never lost to LCK on the world stage before, this time might be different.

T1 and IG's pre-match posters are throwing down bold challenges

Most players are highly focused on this World Championship. The contest for the spot between IG and T1 has become a hot topic globally. This is also the first time Riot changed the format, which many regret—pitting two top-tier teams against each other in the very first match, making it a knockout round where one team will be eliminated immediately. As the match approaches, both teams have announced their starting lineups, identical to previous regional clashes: T1 fields Doran (top), Oner (jungle), Faker (mid), Gumayusi (AD), and Keria (support). IG counters with Theshy (top), Wei (jungle), Rookie (mid), Gala (AD), and Meiko (support).

From the Korean server training perspective, IG's jungler Wei is maintaining a fairly steady form. As a self-sacrificing jungler, his main role is to protect his laners' growth, even drawing special attention from T1's support Keria before the match. Wei has already climbed into the top five on the Korean server. The top and bottom lanes from both teams may clash fiercely, but the main focus will be on mid-jungle synergy. Oner is known for aggressive invasions and pressure; it remains to be seen if Wei can withstand that. If IG avoids major early mistakes, their mid-game team fights should be competitive.

Before the match, both teams released their posters. Although T1’s poster is the official one for this event, it clearly shows their confidence by using traditional Chinese characters to proclaim "Unrivaled in the World," implying they are a very strong contender. Some fans even interpret this as a hint that Faker’s championship count won’t be even-numbered, and that IG won’t win, leaving only three LPL teams in contention. In contrast, IG’s poster is less aggressive, stating "Ignore the past, just aim for the sky." Judging by the positioning in the posters, IG stands more forward and taller, signaling their confidence in victory.

In pre-match interviews, Rookie also issued a bold statement: although he has only participated in three World Championships, he has never lost to LCK when playing there and hopes to maintain that record while helping the entire LPL defeat T1. Meanwhile, offline interactions showed AD player Uzi cheering for Rookie, wishing them success in this qualifier. Former top laner Theshy also posted publicly but faced some skepticism online because his IP address appeared to be from Korea, leading to speculation that his social media accounts might be managed by family members rather than himself. This match is not only a clash between teams but also a battle between regions and a fight for morale.

Farewell thoughts

Before the match, tensions are at their peak. Both IG and T1 are eager to secure victory, knowing that winning this game could smooth the path for the rest of the tournament. Confidence truly comes from winning. Industry insiders predict a close 3-2 victory for IG, but in my opinion, IG will need some "miracles" to have a chance.

Dear viewers, what are your thoughts on this matter?