Introduction: The S16 season matches have officially started, and the majority of players have been paying close attention to the recent battles. The LCK EWC qualifiers have been fiercely contested. In the latest games, T1 decisively defeated DK to claim the LCK's qualification spot. Faker's exceptional initiation left many spectators amazed; T1 was suppressed for 30 minutes, but Faker's single ultimate turned the tide for a complete comeback. Now, two LCK teams—Gen.G and T1—have advanced, much to the relief of the organizers, as ticket sales are now secured. Meanwhile, DK and HLE will compete in the loser bracket final for the remaining spot.

Faker’s Annie played a visually stunning and flawless initiation.

Most fans are highly attentive to T1. Over the past two years, their overall performance has been outstanding. Even when their regular-season rankings were unstable, they still managed to shine in the World Championship, last season progressing from the 17th-place bracket all the way to the finals. In the recent EWC qualifiers, T1 maintained consistent form, and their match against DK became a hot topic among netizens. This game determined the first qualifying slot from the LCK online preliminaries, and T1 ultimately defeated DK 3-1 to advance.

In the first game, Faker solo-killed ShowMaker multiple times in the laning phase, building a 3,000 gold lead. At 28 minutes, T1 secured Baron, continuously kited, and then claimed the dragon soul. Finally, at 34 minutes, T1 forced a team fight at Baron, achieving an ace and ending the game in one push to take Game 1. In Game 2, T1 again gained an early advantage. However, at 22 minutes, T1 forced a Baron attempt and were caught by DK, who turned the fight for a clean ace and stole Baron. That moment stabilized DK and led to their eventual comeback—though Doran being caught out of position later also contributed.

In Game 3, T1 once held an early lead, even securing the first three dragons. At 23 minutes, they started another Baron, gradually extending their advantage, and finished the game with a clean ace at 29 minutes. The most awkward scenario came in Game 4. DK had a massive early lead, stretching it to nearly 10,000 gold after 20 minutes. But at 32 minutes, during a team fight, T1 seized an opportunity to score a 3-for-0 victory, then took Baron, sounding the horn for a comeback. At 37 minutes, T1 annihilated DK to complete a stunning reversal.

Faker's Annie initiation was absolutely pivotal—a flash ultimate in the dragon pit that stunned both the enemy Neeko and Anivia. It feels like T1's form has improved rapidly, going from being underestimated at the start of the season to now securing the EWC spot. The LCK region remains dominated by Gen.G and T1. DK and HLE will duel in the loser bracket final for another direct qualification spot. Based on current match momentum, HLE seems more likely to advance. This means the LCK's champion direct qualification slot will keep dropping—will it be KT or DK? The LCK's EWC lineup looks incredibly stacked.

In conclusion, I think

Who would have expected T1 to turn their momentum around so quickly? If not for Doran's misplay in Game 2, T1 might have swept DK 3-0. The happiest party now is likely the EWC organizers—ticket sales for Paris are already secured. Wherever Faker goes, fan enthusiasm is never a concern.

What do you, our esteemed viewers, think about this?