T1 have concluded their run at VALORANT Champions Shanghai 2026, finishing in the top six. The team exited the competition following a tense 1-2 defeat to G2 Esports. After the match, T1 player iZu shared his thoughts on the organization's historic qualification for the Champions playoffs, the struggles in finding their own playstyle, and the key moments of the decisive series.
Speaking about the rematch against G2 (the teams previously met in the Masters Bangkok final), iZu noted T1's much better preparation compared to last year. However, the squad couldn't execute their game plan perfectly. The turning point was the third map, where T1 faced severe economic issues. Losing the crucial third round in the second half allowed G2 to maximize Chamber's defensive potential using the Operator and Outlaw, which completely shut down T1's attack.
The 2026 season proved to be highly inconsistent for the team. According to the player, T1 were behind the meta at the beginning of the year, which cost them spots at the London tournaments and the Esports World Cup. The situation was further complicated after Munchkin joined as the in-game leader—the players needed time to understand the new team dynamics. Eventually, however, the squad managed to find its own identity. iZu pointed out that the current meta suited them quite well, making it disappointing that they couldn't take full advantage of it.
Despite the elimination, reaching the Champions playoffs stage became the highlight of the year for the roster and a historic achievement for the organization. Aside from the experienced veterans stax and BuZz, the rest of the team was playing at this level for the first time.
When asked about the eventual champion of the tournament, iZu answered concisely: the winner will be whoever eats and sleeps well on the eve of the grand finals.
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