Revenge Arc: T1 get a second shot at FUT in decider series at Champions 2023

T1, 3rd seed Pacific representatives, have not had a great showing thus far against international opponents here in Champions 2023. Despite that, they managed to best out FPX for another shot at FUT, to whom they lost to in their opening series. FUT, for their part, managed a dominant performance against T1 in their opening series before dropping at the hands of EG. Despite late-game comebacks on both maps, FUT were unable to properly close the gap.

Gaps in Play

This series may end up coming down to a battle of lesser mistakes. Both T1 and FUT have suffered in their prior series from a combination of errors and gaps in gameplay that could prove fatal in this series. During the post-game press conference, coach Yoon “Autumn” Eu-ddeum admitted that the team suffered from the same mistakes in both their series played thus far at Champions 2023.

“In the game, our communication level as a team wasn’t good.”

‘Honestly, I really think our understanding of the map is good, but we kind of had the same issues that we had in the FUT esports match. Because in the game, our communication level as a team wasn’t good,’ he admitted. ‘So, every tech pause, and every half-time for us, I tried to remind this to the players to adjust their communication level better. And the players did exactly what I wanted. So, that’s why I think we could comeback and win on Lotus,’ he concluded.

“We’re not consistent.”

In their series against Evil Geniuses, we saw FUT suffer slow starts on both maps to the EG side, only coming back later into the series. When asked what was it that they struggled to implement on their attack side that they successfully managed on their defense. To that, Furkan “MrFalin” Yeğen could only say that: ‘Today, we are good on defense, tomorrow we might be good on offense. We’re not consistent, so that’s the only answer I can give you.’

Incoming Rematch

After their loss in their previous faceoff, T1 are looking to avenge themselves. When asked on their expectation for the upcoming series, Byeon “Munchkin” Sang-beom made a bold proclamation. ‘It wasn’t the best game from us in that previous match against FUT,’ he admitted. ‘But if they think we’re going to be the same T1 that they met in the previous series, then I think it’s going to be an easy win for us.’

“If they think we’re going to be the same T1 that they met in the previous series, then I think it’s going to be an easy win for us.”

FUT for their part, had less to say, but still, their focus is increasing their consistency. One of the massive weaknesses they have shown thus far at international events is their inability to start strong.

FUT take on T1 at 2300 BST tonight. The Shrine continues to burn with the passions of all the players here at Champions 2023. Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest coverage on Valorant Champions 2023 and all other esports related news.

Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games