T1 on July 7 poses for photos after winning the inaugural League of Legends Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (EWC's official Facebook account)

By Hong Angie

The professional gaming team T1 has won the inaugural League of Legends (LoL) Esports World Cup (EWC).

T1 on July 7 beat Top Esports (TES) of China, 3-1, in the final round of the tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the first set, TES shook up T1 early and won within 23 minutes. T1, however, tied it in the second after 26 minutes and took the third after going neck and neck for 38 minutes. 

The fourth set saw T1 clinch victory through the selection of Yasuo, a character the team had not used before in the event. 

T1 leader Faker was named Most Valuable Player of the finals. In addition to using Yasuo, he flourished in crucial moments by using different champions in each set such as Azir in the third, Ahri in the second and Corki in the first.

Earlier, T1 advanced to the championship round by defeating Bilibili Gaming from China, 2-1, in the quarterfinals and Team Liquid Honda from the U.S. by the same score in the semifinals. Both rounds were so close that T1 was on the verge of losing each, but the team showed its championship form to advance.

Though losing to T1 in the finals, TES showed its outstanding capacity by defeating Gen.G Esports, seen as Korea's strongest team, in the quarterfinals and G2 Esports, considered Europe's best, 2-0 in the semis.

For winning the inaugural competition, T1 earned prize money of USD 400,000 and the trophy.

shong9412@korea.kr