SLY Zicssi: "KCB is the second-best team in the competition after us"

Recent first-time LFL winners, have a new date with destiny. Qualified for the EMEA Masters for the first time as well, they arrive as undisputed favorites after their absolute domination of the French championship. After an easy 2-0 victory over HMBLE, the Italian champions, in the Champions Round, the team of friends benefited from two long weeks of rest. This was the opportunity for to open up in an exclusive interview for Sheep Esports about celebrating their title, how he's approaching this tournament with a unique status, and his future after a stellar start to the year.

Lanzo “Zicssi” Ciajolo: “I had a vacation during the off week. I didn't spam the game like crazy. But if I want to improve and get back to finals level, I need to get serious about playing again, because all the EMEA Masters teams haven't stopped. Actually, since I have little to base it on, I instinctively feel like I've lost level because I play less. I don't know if it's true, but since I play less and have fewer recent references, that's how I feel. Still, I keep my confidence.

Zicssi: Towards the end, we had a lot of really good scrims. We scrimmed a lot, one of the best ERL teams, but also who I find very strong, and some other German teams we did well against. At the beginning, it was a bit harder against teams like or MISA. It wasn't stomps but we took 2-3 losses. But as the season progressed, we started beating them 3-2 or 4-1. You can see it in the results shared by Uko. Overall, we scaled well. I'd say it's a normal progression because we only started scrimming in January. Even though we improved quickly and got on the same page, that's clearly what made us succeed so much, I think.

Zicssi: Hard to say, but it's clearly the result of a huge amount of work by Blazzios, the scout who built the team. He had opinions on all players, sought a lot of feedback on their past and current years. I feel he did a great job, and even when I talked to him about any player, he always had an opinion on everyone. He knew what he wanted to build, what Solary was looking for precisely, and the magic happened like that.

Zicssi: Yes, I always had a say. They systematically asked my opinion. But in reality, it was always Blazzios doing the bulk of the work.

Zicssi: I think it would be either , , or me. So more the topside. In my eyes, we were more consistent than the botside. That doesn't mean they're bad—they're actually excellent—but I think it's a matter of regularity. And if we're just talking about the final, then it's clearly (Kim Jung-hu) who was just exceptional. He totally overperformed for my greatest pleasure.

Zicssi: Nothing out of the ordinary. The main thing I do with the staff is talk a lot with the assistant coach. Since he's a main jungler, we talk often, and do little personal reviews that help me a lot. The rest is very standard: I grind my solo queues, in scrims, I know what I want to work on, what the coaches want me to work on, then I review what I did well, what I did wrong, and note it down.

But in scrims, I'm 100% in it. I don't watch videos, don't open any socials, I'm 100% focused on scrims. Outside, I like my chill solo queues, relax in the evening—whether browsing YouTube between games or playing with friends. I also watch LoL without the competitive side. I'm like you, in viewer mode, and it makes me enjoy it.

By the way, I'm watching First Stand right now and got to cast 2 BOs with Zaboutine (Thomas Si-Hassen), whom I thank. It was a fun exercise, even if I unfortunately cast today's G2 BO (0-3 against BLG), which was a bit sad. From the 3rd minute of game 3, I already knew it was FF. But I also watch First Stand because it helps me better understand the patch we'll play on at EMEA Masters. It's good to know what they draft and play, especially since we're on a mini-break.

Zicssi: I'm not someone who feels too much apprehension or fear. So... I'm very little on social media, if at all, so I don't see tier lists or opinions. And that's better that way because, especially this year, I know I won't get too big-headed. I also don't like receiving too many compliments; I'd feel like I'd question myself less. So I don't see all that, I know we play well and I focus scrim by scrim, game by game, and we'll see.

Zicssi: There's a potential quick match against *; it'd be great to face them officially since they're a very good team. Even though I'd prefer not to face them that early, as I think they're one of the best teams in the tournament. But it'll be a good challenge to get back in the saddle after the break. Actually, I even think KCB is the second-best team in the competition after us.

*KCB have been sent to the lower bracket after a defeat against BIG.

Zicssi: I'd normally put Witchcraft very high, but they lost so maybe I'm not the best at this game! To complete the top 4, I see G2 NORD well. They're a bit "all or nothing" team. They can boom easily if they don't have momentum, but I believe in this team. And then I'd say MISA. They're very good but I feel like in official matches, they might not be the team to crush everything. I can't explain it, pure feeling. Plus with Stend's arrival (Paul Lardin) who's very good, but they haven't played much with him, it's a bit more complicated.

Zicssi: In jungle, I think especially (Johnny Dang) and (Doğukan Balcı). They're two completely different profiles, but Yukino is the one I most want to play against and the most challenging, while 113 on his good days can also attract me. But he has a too flippy side and makes too many errors that put him in bad spots. I've faced them in scrims too, but you can really feel Yukino has very good mechanics and really knows his matchups. It could really be fun to play against them.

Zicssi: Totally. I got a first glimpse after we won the final. We went to see the fans at the viewing party afterward. And it's absolutely incredible to see everyone buzzing… they're all super cool and I'd love to play in front of them. It'd be a great pleasure.

Ziccsi: It'll be up to me to prove it. Right now, no, I don't. I played very well one split for sure. But it's a Winter Split where not all teams play perfectly, including us. And the only thing that will prove I have the level is if I stay consistent and do the same on the next split. We take it game by game and we'll see what happens.

Zicssi: Of course, promoting to LEC is a goal. Succeeding in adapting my level and gameplay, and continuing to learn to have a very good LEC level. But for now, I don't focus too much on the future. Because, of course, I'd like to go to LEC in the future. Even though this is my third year in LFL, I focus more on the journey than the destination. Especially since we're all in-person right now, we all get along great. Every day with Solary is a pleasure.

Zicssi: For coach, I couldn't say. Overall, I'd like to play again with Farah (Benjamin Stoffel), the assistant coach at KCB. He's an exceptional guy. For the rest, hard to say, but I'm open to everyone. No matter the team I join.

Zicssi: It's not necessary, but it's always a plus. At Gentle Mates it was like that too, during my time at in 2023 in Prague too. We spent the year there, which was exceptional. I'd even say that for now, with the 2026 season starting the same or better, it was my best year. Especially in team chemistry, something we couldn't have lived remotely. I'd go to the office happy, super close with . My toplaner was the nicest person I've ever seen. My only regret is we couldn't go far in EMEA Masters back then. And today at Solary, I really get along great with everyone too.”