KC Targamas: “We want to start a new era for Europe and the LEC”

Following their win against CFO in the semifinals of First Stand 2025, KC Targamas and Canna spoke to the media in the post-match press conference.

KC Targamas & Canna – First Stand Interview, Day 6

Could you share how KC adapted during this tournament? What was the turning point for the team to be able to play again as we saw in the LEC?

Targamas: “I think we just didn’t show up the first two days, right? We also drafted a bit differently compared to the style we really like. I think the game against Top Esports, we were just all or nothing basically, and the chances of making it to the semis were so slim that we had basically no pressure in my opinion. I think with that, we just built some good momentum like the game we won against HLE as well. And yeah, I think we just found the recipe to win again.

What was the pivotal moment behind Karmine Corps’s remarkable turnaround in the championship and did the team hold any emergency discussions following their second loss or did their resurgence unfold organically?

Canna: So our original plan was to win the first two matches, but when that became impossible and we weren’t able to reach our goal, I think we did definitely take our time to have long discussions. We had a lot of feedback sessions and also we had a change in approach to our draft.

Your performance may not have been the cleanest, but you showed great proactivity in today’s series and didn’t hesitate to make plays. Did you think that the confidence was a difference maker today?

Targamas: Yeah, for sure. I think for me personally this tournament, I feel like I’ve been playing with basically no pressure compared to like the last time I played international when I was in G2 in 2022, I was like so, so stressed to do anything. And right now I feel like even better than when I’m playing solo queue. I think that’s a huge difference for all the team.

You took revenge against CFO. Can you share more about the preparation process?

Canna: So the preparation process against CFO, there’s nothing quite special or any different. I think we just did as we had been always practicing. Like I said earlier, we worked on our draft and obviously we didn’t have a great showing on the first two days. But since we got more confidence building up from day three, I think that’s when we started seeing every player get their form back.

Despite a challenging start to the tournament, you made it a miraculous run to the playoffs and are now in the grand finals of First Stand. Do you think this result proves that KC remains a team to be feared?

Targamas: Yeah, for sure. I think we didn’t show up the first two days, but we were so lucky to be here today. Two days ago, after we lost against HLE, we thought the tournament was over for us. At least I thought so. I was feeling really down. But CFO won against the Top Esports and then we qualified to semis. It’s just been such a roller coaster of emotion this tournament and I hope we can make it like and win the finals.

With this win, you’re one of the first ever European rosters to make an international finals without Caps. Only Fnatic at season one worlds and G2 at MSI 2017 have done it and you have played with caps, who for almost a decade has defined European League of Legends. How does it feel to make history this way?

Targamas: Yeah, I don’t have the words for now. I’m looking forward to playing the finals tomorrow. I think this tournament we made it to the final, but there’s only five teams here. It was still hard to make it but it’s easier than Worlds, for example. So I think we are still a long way off to beat Caps’ legacy. But for sure, as I said before the beginning of the year, I think we want to start a new era for Europe and the LEC, and so far it’s been a pretty good beginning of the year.

And then do you have a message to Caps and your former org?

Targamas: I don’t know if he’s watching but I hope he will come back stronger for spring split. I think that, together with G2, we can make it really like we can basically bring Europe back from the dead because we’ve been underperforming internationally for the past years. So I think this will also be a good boost for all the teams in Europe that we’re actually a good region.

Now you have qualified to the finals. Who do you think will be your finals opponent and what is your score prediction for Hanwha Life Esports and Top Esports’ match?

Canna: I guess I would say that Hanwha Life Esports would make it out. And because it’s a best of five, there might be some variables. So the score prediction would be 3:1.

Targamas: I think 3-1 for HLE. I think Top Esports has been underperforming this tournament but in a Bo5 situation, they might show a better face but as I said, HLE is the best team in the world right now.

And so you guys both predicted HLE’s victory, a team that beat CFO at First Stand. What would you do differently to allow your team to win against them this time?

Targamas: I mean, I have a pretty good idea how Hanwha Life plays the game. Of course, it’s like very hard to replicate because they are very skilled players and it’s also not easy to punish but I think I have a pretty good idea on how we can beat them. And yeah, it’s just a matter of if we can execute the plan well or not.

Canna: So HLE has five of the very skilled and talented players. And I think individually, just considering them one by one, I don’t think I can pinpoint anyone that is weak or stands out as a weakness. So I think we also have to do a standoff and be the best players that we can be. And I believe that any player can make a mistake and just the side that is able to capitalize and catch that mistake would be able to win.