LoL - LEC: Movistar KOI flies to MSI and reaches grand final by defeating Karmine Corp 3-2

Sometimes, you need to lose to see what still needs improvement. The Blue Wall has fallen, as Movistar KOI has done it again. They pulled another upset. They are, without question, Karmine Corp’s kryptonite — the only team to beat KC in these LEC playoffs, and they did it twice: once in the winner’s bracket, then again, now, when it mattered most. MKOI stands tall, heading to another LEC Grand Final. They will play a rematch of the LEC Winter 2024 final, where G2 defeated them (then MAD Lions KOI) 3-1. With this win, Movistar KOI not only qualifies for the LEC Spring Final but also punches their ticket to MSI 2025, alongside G2 Esports.

Karmine Corp does not leave humiliated. All of their losses this year — Winter and Spring combined — went to five games. That stat tells its own story: this is a team that never goes down easily. But it also reveals a kind of ceiling. It puts into perspective the confidence shown by the players and staff after their win over Fnatic a week ago — confidence that may have turned into overconfidence. The staff claimed the team had finally clicked, and Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert predicted a 3–0 stomp against MKOI, advising them to prepare well for the week ahead.

This result shows how fragile the LEC’s new hierarchy is. For years, Europe’s top of the league felt like a fixed set of names. In 2025, it’s shifting under our feet. G2 remains, but behind them, everything is moving. KC, MKOI, Fnatic: each looks dominant one week, and beatable the next. That volatility may frustrate some fans. But it’s the clearest sign the league is alive again.

Movistar KOI’s success isn’t just about results. It’s about coherence. Like last year, they’ve built a roster with a real sense of identity. Javier "Elyoya" Prades remains the anchor, but this isn’t just the Elyoya show. Alex "Myrwn" Pastor Villarejo, David "Supa" Martínez García, Álvaro "Alvaro" Fernández del Amo— all came into the league with zero LEC experience. Now they play with the kind of confidence you can't fake.

Then there’s Joseph "Jojopyun" Joon Pyun. When he arrived in Europe, he brought baggage, and received some criticism after a quite shaky Winter split. But the Spring version of Jojopyun is a different player. He’s more aware when it matters, and sharper where it counts. And now he’s made history by becoming the first North American to qualify for MSI through Europe. In his post-game interview, he said they still haven’t reached their full potential. That’s not a flex — that’s a warning. This team spent a week reviewing their loss to G2 and rebuilding around the gaps. They’re not going to walk into the same traps twice.

The final opponent for MKOI will be G2 again: a chance for the Spaniards to avenge their loss 1-3 in the upper bracket. But the vibe going into this match is different. This time, MKOI knows where they stand. This time, they’ve already done what most thought they couldn’t. This Sunday at 5 PM, they’ll get their shot. If they win, it’ll mark their third MSI appearance (after 2021 and 2023, when they were still MAD Lions). Both previous times, they went as LEC champions. If they want to keep that streak alive, they’ll have to beat what seems to be the current best team in Europe.