are struggling at
2026 World Championship. After losing to
in their third match of the tournament, the LEC champions now sit at 1-2, just one more defeat away from elimination in the Swiss Stage. Their performances so far have been underwhelming for a team with considerably higher ambitions.
Following the loss, G2 support
spoke to
Sheep Esports, addressing some fans’ concerns while remaining optimistic about the team’s chances for the rest of the tournament.
Nocturne has been running rampant at the World Championship because he has the highest pick-or-ban rate. My attention was piqued when I saw G2 decided to ban three junglers but leave that one open. Why did you make that decision?
Lampros “Labrov” Papoutsakis: “We kind of did the same yesterday, and we had a successful game, so we decided to kind of run it back today. I think we were in very favorable spots to win this game, but we messed up many situations, like the Baron, for example. It's been something that has been haunting us in these Worlds.
We've seen great individual performances from G2 at this World Championship, but not as a team. It just doesn't seem to fully click. Why do you think that's happening for G2 right now?
Labrov: I would probably say just nerves. I think today I would say we played the worst, that's how I feel, throughout all three days. On the bright side, we have two days to reset and come back. It's going to be best-of-three, so it's going to be very different planning and games. I think we can bounce back from this.
The reaction cams during the game seemed to show some frustration flourishing from everybody. Do you think this is a communication issue or something else?
Labrov: I think definitely this game at least was very frustrating because, as I said, we were in many winning spots, but then we made many bad decisions, which led up to us losing the game.
As you mentioned, after Wednesday’s break you’ll be playing best-of-threes, which is more of G2’s style. Do you think that the off days will help G2 ease back into that level we all expect?
Labrov: I definitely think the best-of-threes will help. Usually we always perform better in best-of-threes than in best-of-ones. Even in LEC in winter, we almost didn’t make the playoffs because it was also best-of-ones, but then we managed to bounce back. I'm confident now that we're going to play another best-of-three, and it's our last chance, so we will use it well.
I want to talk a little bit about Top Esports. This is a matchup reversed-swept back at MSI. It's not the same roster, so did the 2v2 feel different compared to your experience at MSI?
Labrov: I would say both at MSI and here; I think Top Esports’ botlane is aggressive and, honestly, respect to them. I think the early game was very fun to play. We ended up dying 2v2; I think we definitely misplayed. I think we were in a winning scenario, but it's nice to fight back and play the game like that on stage instead of just farming. Playing against Top Esports botlane is for sure fun.
Since the start of the World Championship, the team has struggled. Off the top of your head, what's today's lesson?
Labrov: Many things. I mean, I don't want to say too many. I have some ideas, but if I have to choose just one, I would say our Baron situations have been quite sus. That's the thing we will focus on a lot.
Do you think that mentality and the psychological aspect are different now that the head coach has changed? How does he approach these complicated scenarios to be positive and stay motivated?
Labrov: I don't think it has changed. If anything, I think Perkz (Luka Perković) is someone who really understands the game very deeply. I think he's also good at talking with people, sharing his ideas, listening to what people think, and finding common ground. I think it's been going quite well, even though our results haven’t been the best, but let's see; we have another chance, and we will make up for it.
This is the second time you've attended the World Championship with this roster, and it isn’t your first rodeo here. Is there something that you haven't accomplished at Worlds that you want to accomplish for the first time at this World Championship?
Labrov: I mean, winning Worlds, obviously, but that right now seems a bit too far. We just need to win our next series, then win the next series again to have a chance to do that, to make it an easier step. I would say play on stage, be calm, and have no nerves.
I want to ask a little bit about practice. Don't give me any strategies, but do you think that something that you've been practicing hasn't worked, and something that has worked perfectly?
Labrov: I think maybe I would say that something that hasn't worked is maybe our meta read. I find it a bit different compared to what most teams value right now. That’s probably the thing, but I think we're adapting better and better.
And a positive one? Something that you feel that you’ve practiced well?
Labrov: I think we have stronger early games now.
Aside from the Baron setups, what do you think you need to practice to get back into the confidence that we know and expect from G2?
Labrov: Honestly, I don't think it's one specific thing. I think it's nice that we have some time now to rest, look over our games, and figure out why we are making certain decisions in game. We did it in the past, and I'm confident.
In moments like this, when the pressure is highest, how important is it to have experienced people on the team, like Rasmus "Caps" Winther and Perkz, who've been in this hard situation before, to help you rally on?
Labrov: I think it's very important. I think experience at Worlds is the key. I think that's the reason why
is always doing so well, even though they're not the first seed from Korea. I'm confident we can bounce back from the situation we're in right now.”
