MKOI came out victorious in front of their home crowd last weekend, finishing with a 2-0 score in the
League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) Roadtrip in Madrid. Having almost secured themselves a spot at Playoffs, they are now 4-3 in the standings.
Having enjoyed a spectacular weekend,
David "Supa" Martínez García sat down with Sheep Esports, in an exclusive interview; to talk about how this event has helped MKOI bounce back from a rough patch, the Spanish crowd, the LEC Finals, playing against Caliste and KC and much more.
You end up with a 2-0 score in Madrid, undefeated at home. How did it feel to play in front of your home crowd?
David "Supa" Martínez García: "I’d say the crowd has been a 10 out of 10. Although we had already been at the Movistar KOI event before, this one felt different. 10,000 people watching us live, a lot of love from the fans and an LEC day. We couldn’t have asked for more, since we were going through a rough patch, and this has helped us cheer up. It was the perfect weekend.
Would you say this was the first time you really had the majority of the crowd on your side in an official match? In Montpellier and Munich, it felt like you were behind enemy lines. How does it feel to have all these people chanting your name?
Supa: Yes, one could say it's the first match, which wasn't a show match, where we had the whole crowd on our side. The difference is infinite. I am very grateful to all the people who came, because I think it has made a difference. It was an event that I will always remember.
You came to this event in a very critical moment, with a 2-3 score, after losing against Vitality and showing a weaker performance than usual. How good was the event for you to get confidence, to continue with the split and reach the playoffs?
Supa: Well, I think we have had a good week of training. That has given us more confidence and let us see clearly what we want to do from now on. Winning the game against Fnatic has been incredibly positive for us too, because they are one of the candidates to win the LEC and we have shown on a live event, which is the most important thing, that things work out if you do the right thing. But we can't relax, because today we lost a game and yesterday we lost another one, in which we barely got the chance to play.
Supa: We usually beat them in the regular season, so we were a bit more confident. But, of course it felt really good, due to the gained momentum yesterday's game meaning. I still want to beat them in the Playoffs. This victory is just one small step, but the real revenge will come in Playoffs.
Speaking of Playoffs, right now you find yourselves with a 4-3 score. Although it's not completely guaranteed yet, you are practically in. are you hoping for in Playoffs? This year's schedule is also slightly different, due to the appearance of the First Stand. How do you plan these Playoffs, having in mind the MSI as well?
Supa: We have recently gone through both good and bad times, but I also think we are well rested. For example, Karmine Corp is much more worn out in comparison with the rest of the teams. I think they are in a good place. We have two more weeks of regular season to polish our performance and be more consistent. If we fix that, I think we're going to do fine at MSI.
Karmine Korp still has more games to play. In a few weeks' time they will have their own Roadtrip in France. The French fans, like the Spanish fans, are known for their passion for the game. Which do you think are the biggest differences between the Spanish and French fans?
Supa: The biggest difference is that one roots for you and the other one against you [laughs]. Jokes aside, I think they are very similar. I prefer the Spanish fans, because whenever we are with them, we always win. I hope that at some point we have the opportunity to be in an event like this, where we can play a KOI vs Karmine Corp match with fans rooting for both teams.
Supa: In a final, if possible [laughs]. I think that we are hyping up the LEC a lot this year. On a more personal level, I'm really looking forward to it, because I think that Karmine Corp has done very well compared to the other teams in the Winter Split and they are the ones to beat."
Supa during the LEC Roadtrip in Madrid
You are often compared with Caliste. He arrived to the LEC this year as a rookie, you did the same last year. You are both very similar players, very aggressive. What is your opinion about him and how do you see the role of ADC on the LEC overall?
Supa: The biggest difference is that he plays more by feeling and I am more disciplined. Both when it comes to work and in-game. I think that's the main difference between the two of us. We each have our own strengths. He's doing very good and I'm doing as well. I would like to face Caliste in the final, where we can play out the rivalry that everybody wants to see.
We have been able to see and hear GiantX’s fans stronger than ever. What is your opinion on the rest of the Spanish clubs and the rest of the Spanish players?
Supa: In my opinion, GiantX has stepped up. I think that they have been working well since the beginning of the season. But apparently, they are struggling on stage. These games in Madrid will help them get more confidence and experience. Fnatic is obviously a team that looks to be the winner. And Heretics, who has Flakked, are being a great surprise. They are 3-3 and they are fighting to get into the Top 4.
Finally, a few words for all the fans who have been here in Madrid and for those who have been watching you from home and who are supporting you until the end of the Split.
Supa: Thank you very much! This Roadtrip has been amazing. All the love that we have felt from you in the Meet & Greet, when we have seen each other in the street and in the event, has been incredible. It motivates me a lot to compete and to keep working, because it is what I truly love."
