KOI has just acquired the organisation’s first trophy since entering the League of Legends scene in 2023. After initially merging with Rogue to enter the LEC, the org founded by Spain’s most popular content creator Ibai “Ibai” Llanos then fell back on its Spanish peers – Movistar and MAD Lions in 2024. With his huge fan base, he has been able to unite a large part of the Spanish community under his banner. But for the first time at MSI 2025, the hopes of the entire region will rest in their hands. The team has made every effort to be on top of Europe. It is now up to them to assume the responsibilities that go with such a status, far from home.
Well, not exactly. Prodigy midlaner Joseph “Jojopyun” Pyun will be back in his homeland, as this year’s MSI is being held in Canada. Still, the responsibilities are greater than ever for the LEC champion, as the West seems to be slightly closing the gap with their Chinese and Korean rivals of late. Last year, Fly Quest held two match points to eliminate Gen.G in BO5, while G2 Esports were coming off a great MSI 2024 (4th) and put up some great battles against Worlds’ finalists BLG and T1. More recently, Karmine Corp reached First Stand’s final. While the lights are not yet green, there is at least more reason to hope.
Preparation diff
Although MKOI proved to be the best team in the region in playoffs, it must be said that the signals they were sending out prior to this stage were not encouraging. Having finished fourth in the Winter split after being comprehensively outclassed by KC (0-2) and FNC (1-3), they seemed to be following the same path during Spring’s regular season before suddenly thwarting the predictions. They beat their French rivals – and Winter champions – KC in the upper bracket (3-2) and repeated the feat in the lower (3-2 again). The team put an end to the discussions about “MKOI overperforming and KC underperforming” after the first match, and then went on to largely dominate G2 in the final (3-1).
A trophy that seems to be due to differences in preparation, across every respect. Movistar KOI was the team “that worked the hardest during the split”, according to captain Javier “Elyoya” Prades. This sentiment was also echoed in-game, with some great ideas in draft, thanks to the team’s versatility and the pocket picks of Alex “Myrwn” Villarejo and Jojopyun. The sololaners also proved to be the best in some of Europe’s less successful picks, yet key in the best leagues (K’Santé and Ahri).
Meanwhile, Elyoya has regained his early aggressiveness, which made him Europe’s best jungler at MAD Lions. With creative game plans to counter a Skewmond — who is often considered too herbivorous and passive in early — he single-handedly foiled G2’s plans in the Grand Final and deservedly emerged as its FMVP. His synergy with Álvaro “Alvaro” Amo in particular made the difference this Spring.
The region’s best botlane
The support is undoubtedly the key player in this team, the one who has made the biggest difference compared to the other players in his role in Europe – particularly thanks to his movements on the map, his ability to clutch, and his creativity. His Rell and Alistar will have to be particularly feared, even by the best teams at the tournament. In my opinion, he has nothing to envy the best in the world when it comes to piloting them.
Finally, Supa was the team’s overall MVP in the playoffs stage. He has finally raised his game to live up to his words regarding his ranking in Europe. Now it’s time for him to take it even further, and show he can be one of the best AD Carries in the world. One of the reasons why this team managed to qualify for Worlds last year – with Freskowy instead of Jojopyun – was their excellent use of lane swaps. While the sololaners struggled to adapt to the international level, Supa and Alvaro did put in a more than decent performance. Hopefully, they have gained enough confidence from that experience.
In any case, these play-offs have shown that they have lost none of their early-game macro skills. They continue to be quick and creative when rotating on the map and are always ahead of the opposing botlane when it comes to tempo.
Supa's timing 🧠 pic.twitter.com/1clI18VcDS
— LEC (@LEC) June 7, 2025
What to expect at MSI from MKOI
They’ll land in Vancouver as a first seed, and as players who have already experienced playing internationally (seventh appearance for Elyoya, third for Jojo). Therefore, it will be time to raise their ambitions and not just go there “to learn, or to measure themselves”. The team’s shortcomings are well known, with a tendency not to take training too seriously. If they come to the competition with confidence and real aspirations – with the preparation for each match being on the same level as it was during playoffs – I believe they are a team capable of springing a surprise. However, if the opposite were to happen, I could see them put in an even poorer performance than their runner-up. For EU’s sake, let’s hope the coin falls on the right side, and maintain a good record for the LEC at internationals in 2025.
