KC LêwN: "You need to lose first to win games or to win in life"

LêwN and Karmine Corp have never been closer to reaching the Champions after a season that was incredibly difficult.

LêwN before the game against Enterprise Esports. Credit: Sasha Safronova/Riot Games

"Basically we just changed everything completely, put new rules and it's working"

Karmine Corp will have the opportunity to qualify for the VCT EMEA Stage 2 grand final and secure their place at the VALORANT Champions this Friday when they face FUT Esports. Such a result would have seemed almost unimaginable a few months ago, when the team finished last in their Stage 1 group without a single win to their name.

After finishing first in Stage 2 to qualify directly for the playoffs and subsequently putting an end to Enterprise Esports’ winning streak, KC are now just a few steps away from achieving their goal. In outstanding form since the team’s resurgence, Burak “LêwN” Alkan spoke to Sheep Esports following the victory over Enterprise.

So, what is your first feeling after the game?

Burak “LêwN” Alkan: “I'm feeling pretty fine, because I knew that we were going to win. But it was hard; during the first and second maps, we were struggling a bit in terms of comms. It was chaotic. But I'm happy; we showed good resilience as a team.

Your team is the first VCT team to win against Enterprise this Stage 2. You also played against them at the beginning of the year. What was your feeling about playing against them before the game?

LêwN: I had no feelings against any team. I'm just playing; I'm just focusing on playing my game and doing my focuses in-game. Nothing else is important for me. Enemies, names, their game style... I just focus on myself.

What would you say made the difference in today’s win?

LêwN: We knew what was going wrong in the first and second maps. So, before the third map, I told them what we needed to do. I just remind us of our focus as a team, our rules, and what we need to do. And everyone did a really good job. And I tell Hazem (Hazem "avez" Khaled) to give me more space on attack and to let me call some things he said “okay”. In the first five rounds, pretty much, I called everything and did some micromanagement, and we managed to snowball. And after, I let them do their stuff. So, I'm also happy about this, because they trust me. And we also trust each other, of course. So, I'm also happy because of this, because we knew what was going wrong. And we fixed it in-game.

You were playing against your former teammate, Martin "Magnum" Peňkov, today. He has a strong reputation of actually winning against his former teammates, particularly in KC. So, how did you feel about playing against him today?

LêwN: There are no special feelings. I see everyone as the same opponent, so I don't care. They can be my ex-teammate or my future teammate; I don't care. I just play my game. I try to win if I can. I fight with myself, not anyone else.

Everyone knows KC had a very difficult season before Stage 2. How did you feel across this whole season? And how did you manage to bounce back during Stage 2?

LêwN: We changed many things. We opened a new page, kinda. Everyone just trusted each other. There are multiple rules in our team. We just kinda stick to our plan. We know what to do. Basically, we just changed everything completely, put new rules, and it's working. Everyone is trusting each other because individually, we are all good players. So, yeah, there was other stuff missing. But I'm happy we fixed these kinds of problems as well.

On a personal side, people also say that you have been performing really well during Stage 2. What do you feel like you changed in your individual playstyle or in your role within the team between Stage 1 and Stage 2?

LêwN: Pretty much same things. I also started going to the gym. I had a routine during the Stage 2, and in the beginning of the season, I made myself a routine, and after, I just kept it. After the break, when we finished first seed, I tried to keep everything the same. But I was sick for like one week so, I couldn't do everything pretty much the same. I was at home; I couldn't go to the gym. I couldn't play a lot. So, yeah. Maybe that's why I was struggling a bit during the best-of-three.

I wanted to talk a bit about your teammates, particularly your IGL, Avez, who made a strong performance as well today. How is it to play with him in this role?

LêwN: He is a very smart player, to be honest. He knows what to do on the map. He was struggling about his individual performance at the beginning of the season, but I think he found the way he needs to play and what we can do for him. I think he is feeling pretty comfortable in the team as well right now, as is everyone. Because he was putting too much pressure and responsibilities on his shoulders. And now he is just focusing more on himself, his crosshair, because he also has insane aim, as you can see when he’s having clutches or other stuff.

He was insane today as well. We won Haven because of him, to be honest. This clutch was insane. And yeah, that’s pretty much it; he is a really good teammate. He always supports me. He always asks me if I need anything or how he can help me, for example. He always asks how I'm feeling. He is a really good captain. He takes care of his teammates and everyone.

So, you will play your next games, then, against the top 4 on stage in Barcelona. So, how do you feel about it?

LêwN: I want to see Spain, to be honest. It will be good. In terms of game, I don't think it will change too many things because we are going to play our game. It's not going to change anything. We are going to do our stuff again. So, we need to just stick to our plan and each other.

Last year, you found yourself in the exact same spot, with two chances of qualifying for Champions with BBL, but in the end, you lost twice and ended up by missing the event. What did you learn from this experience? And why would you say this time is gonna be different?

LêwN: I was a rookie. I couldn't manage my instincts during the game. Because I remember one important round where I trolled, but after I got to the next round and got 3 or 4 kills. I went wrong, but it doesn't matter. I got experience because you need to lose first to win games or to win in life as well. So, I am always looking from this perspective. I learned how to gain experience, and I know it's going to be different this time. I know how to control myself now. I'm better.”