T1 eliminates FUT to steal last playoff spot in Shanghai

The last decider match of Champions Shanghai concluded. In a close series, T1 defeated FUT Esports 2-0 to qualify for the last playoff spot and send FUT home. This marks T1's first playoff appearance at Champs.

The match began on T1's pick of Sunset, a map neither team had played in two months. FUT opted for their trademark aggressive double-Duelist composition with Waylay and Neon. T1 stuck to Meteor on Chamber and Munchkin on Sage, a Sentinel duo they ran against 100 Thieves .

FUT's aggressive A-main fight failed, allowing T1 to capture the pistol and bonus rounds. Even with a double-Sentinel comp, the name of the game was aggressiveness for T1. The Koreans mixed fast hits with defaults to change the pace of their attack side. A round-six 1v4 clutch by iZu rattled the Turkish players as T1 built a 5-1 lead. As the half progressed, FUT found their footing, cutting the deficit to 7-5 by halftime.

iZu rattles FUT with a 1v4 clutch

Double-dive shenanigans helped FUT convert the pistol and bonus rounds, tying up the game 7-7. Both teams traded blows early in the second half. However, a 3K by iZu , a stalwart B-site hold, and a near-flawless eco round by T1 sealed the 13-10 Sunset win. iZu 's Fade stole the show, leading the entire server with a 26/13/3 KDA and a 1.67 rating.

FUT aimed to survive elimination on their map pick of Ascent. The Turkish squad continued their aggressive playstyle with another double-Duelist comp centered around s0pp 's Jett and xeus 's Phoenix. T1 ran it back with Meteor 's Chamber and Munchkin 's Sage.

This time around, FUT took the pistol and bonus rounds, building an early 3-1 lead on the attack side. Even with T1's double-Sentinel comp, xeus and s0pp's in-your-face playstyle proved overwhelming for T1. FUT continued to dismantle T1's defense, increasing the scoreline to 6-2. The Koreans answered with an eco win in round nine and an iZu 4K in round 12, sparking their resurgence to a 6-6 halftime score.

T1 broke the deadlock, opening the second half with a pistol round win behind a stax 4K to take an 8-6 lead. The second half mirrored Sunset's first half, with both teams trading rounds. A T1 eco round, a double-Odin spam by FUT, and a T1 1v1 win highlighted the back-and-forth half.

Turkish aim works on the Odin too

FUT failed to dissect T1's default playstyle. Even with Ascent favoring the defense side, T1's attack disassembled FUT's defense as the Koreans claimed a 13-10 victory on Ascent. iZu topped the leaderboard yet again, posting a 20/14/6 KDA and a 1.42 rating.

From the Press Room

FUT Vlad on learnings from the VCT season: “Looking back to March of this year, when we developed this team, we all grew up and matured. For so many of us, these were our first international events together, with heartbreaking losses along the way. Looking back at building this team, I wouldn't change a thing. Today is probably not the best time to say this, but we've been successful as a team this year, especially as a Turkish team. On any given day, this team knows we can make the playoffs. Today wasn't one of those days. We know how to lose, and we know how to win.”

T1 iZu on making Champs playoff debut: “Of course, I am super happy to make it to the playoffs. When I look back at the pattern, my first Masters I bombed out. I won my second Masters. Because we bombed out of the last Masters, I think it's time for us to lift the Champions trophy.”

Up Next

The playoff teams will rest for a couple days before action resumes Wednesday. Here are the matchup results from the draw show following T1 vs. FUT:

• 100 Thieves vs. G2 Esports
• Team Vitality vs. Nongshim RedForce
• Paper Rex vs. LOUD
• NRG vs. T1