The Thrilling Battle on Yeongjongdo: My Heart Was Pounding During That Grueling Long Game

T1 achieved a 2-0 win against Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) in their home game during the first round of the 2026 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) at the Inspire Arena in Yeongjongdo, Incheon, on the 25th. Despite facing strong opposition from HLE, ‘Keria’ Ryu Min-seok, fueled by the home crowd, delivered an exceptional performance to lead his team to victory.

‘Keria’, the Player of the Match (POM), shared his thoughts: “It was a tough match, but the enthusiastic support from the fans helped us turn the tide. I was also named POM both times I played here last year. The Inspire Arena seems to be a place where I perform well.”

As ‘Keria’ mentioned, the match was far from easy. The first set lasted over 48 minutes, making it the longest game of the season. ‘Keria’ commented, “We didn’t showcase our full potential in the early stages. Our opponents are very aggressive in the early and mid-game, so we had to constantly adapt our gameplay.”

Recalling the tense moments before the Nexus fell, he recounted, “I was defending our base when I heard my teammates’ urgent calls. Looking at the screen, I realized we were on the brink of a comeback loss. My heart was racing, but I’m relieved we pulled through.”

In the second set, he delivered a stellar performance with Morgana, a champion he hadn’t played in a while. “Although it had been some time, I’ve always been confident with that pick. Playing with confidence and enjoying the game led to some great moments,” he chuckled. “Honestly, I thought the game was sealed when we secured a duo kill in the bottom lane. However, as the game progressed, there were many chaotic moments, making it nerve-wracking until the end.”

Regarding coach Lee Ji-hoon, who will be joining the team in the second round, ‘Keria’ remarked, “He has a stellar track record as a player and coach in China, known for his sharpness. Working with him, I can attest to his brilliance and our effective communication. I’m excited about the journey ahead.”

Lastly, ‘Keria’ expressed his gratitude: “I’m immensely grateful to the fans who traveled to Yeongjongdo to support us. I’ll ensure we secure a victory in tomorrow’s match to repay your support. Additionally, I’ll strive to showcase the best version of myself at the fan meeting after today’s match. Thank you.”