KCB Maynter: "Karmine Corp and its fans changed my life [...] It feels like I can say goodbye and be proud of myself"

Volodymyr "Maynter" Sorokin, toplaner of Karmine Corp Blue at EMEA Masters

"There’s never been a time in my life where I’ve felt more confident, more prepared, or smarter. I’m in my prime. Going to the LEC is now or never for me."

After two years with Karmine Corp Blue, the pride of Ukraine, Volodymyr “Maynter” Sorokin has finally achieved his long-time goal, bringing home the first EMEA Masters trophy of his tenure for the French organization. As his journey with the Blue Wall comes to an end, the toplaner sits down with Sheep Esports for one last reflection on his growth, his love for the Blue Wall, and what lies ahead — including a potential promotion to the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC).

After two years with Karmine Corp, you finally achieved your long-awaited goal of winning the EMEA Masters. How does it feel to finally reach this accomplishment?

Volodymyr “Maynter” Sorokin: “It feels great, obviously. I'm really happy to end on a win after trying for two years. During my first year as a rookie, maybe I didn’t really understand what was going on—you know, like when you’re in school, you sort of get what’s going on, but not really at the same time. Last year, I knew my goals, I knew what to do, but every time I tried, something happened. We didn’t have a full roster, we played bad, we choked.

Today, I knew it would be my last attempt. I wouldn’t get another shot if I were to lose today, at least not with KC. So I did my best, and I’m really happy that we won and that I could bring something to KC. My name won’t be the guy who lost two years in a row—it’ll be the guy who brought at least one trophy. KC gave so much to me, so I’m happy to at least give them something back with that extra LEC spot.

Do you feel proud to close this chapter with KC on such a note? And does it also feel like a relief, as you mentioned earlier?

Maynter: It felt pretty good the moment we won the LFL two months ago. At least then, we knew we’d end the season with the Summer Playoffs trophy. Obviously, the goal was still to win EMEA Masters, but I knew that even if I lost, it wouldn’t be the worst way to end. But yeah, winning now feels like I did my best. Maybe I’ll see you all somewhere else in the future, maybe in the LEC. It feels like I can say goodbye and be proud of myself.

How much do you feel you’ve changed since 2023, when you won LFL Division 2 with Team du Sud and later joined Karmine Corp?

Maynter: The difference is huge. Everyone on my team changed, but for me it came more naturally. I left my old roster with Caliste (Caliste Henry-Hennebert), Lyncas (Linas Nauncikas), 113 (Doğukan Balcı)—all of them were way more experienced than me, maybe ten times more. Then I was on my own, and everyone on my new team was new to me. So I had to step up and become more like a veteran, someone who could tell them “it’s fine, we make mistakes, we learn.” I needed to be confident and become more of a leader. I’m a bit… not embarrassed, but it feels kind of selfish to call myself a leader. Still, I hope I was one for my team, at least sometimes.

Also, with everything happening in Ukraine, it was tough. A lot of people, especially pro players, would say I’m unlucky because being from Ukraine makes it hard to move, to travel, to play normally. Sometimes I didn’t even have electricity to play scrims—I had to run to internet cafés and deal with all that. I was that guy from Ukraine who had the chance to play for KC, see the big stages and KCX. In Ukraine, I was the luckiest one. In esports, maybe I was the unluckiest. There are two sides to it, and people don’t always see that.

People in Ukraine don’t have as good a time as I do here, I’m extremely grateful. Huge shoutout to my country. I really hope people will keep supporting and send help—even good words are more than enough to show we’re not alone in this world. A lot of people already support me in DMs. So yeah, thank you guys. And don’t forget—maybe goodness will win in the end [sic].

Many people expect you to join the LEC next year. How ready do you feel if that opportunity comes?

Maynter: I feel ready for the LEC. There’s never been a time in my life where I’ve felt more confident, more prepared, or smarter. In my opinion, I’m in my prime. Going to the LEC is now or never for me.

How would it feel to face Kim "Canna" Chang-dong in the LEC?

Maynter: I mean, Canna is a god for KC, right? But he’s just a top laner. There are a lot of great top laners—Naak Nako (Kaan Okan), Broken Blade (Sergen Çelik), Canna obviously, Lot (Eren Yıldız) as well. So basically, a lot of good guys. I don’t think only about Canna, but yeah, I want to face them, see how they play. I also want to see how people react when I face Canna, because they need to support him—but I was their boy too. So yeah, I hope they won’t hate me. It’ll be pretty fun to face him, and he’s really good, so why not?

Many people are doubting Los Ratones’ chances in the LEC, especially after your 3-0 win over them in the semifinals. What do you think about their chances?

Maynter: Normally, they’re not that strong, right? But I have huge respect for them. I remember I used to hate them for a long time—especially both times we lost EMEA Masters, and they took it home. No matter what though, I always knew we were better. I knew that if we matched them again this time, I would spend 20 hours a day and scout, do anything that could be useful, and we’d win. Thank God we did. I knew they were beatable, but people acted like they were gods. Now, after I faced them—no hate, just huge respect.

They’ve changed a lot, especially Baus (Simon Hofverberg). He went from being kind of a meme to a guy who really knows how the game works now, what to do, where to move. And honestly, everyone there is doing great. They even stream their scrims and still win. So yeah, huge respect to them. I hope they do better than last place, obviously. But I can’t predict anything—it’s the LEC. You can easily win it all, just as you can end up dead last. It’s unpredictable.

Now that you’ve won EMEA Masters, one of your biggest goals, what’s your next goal?

Maynter: EMEA Masters to me represented a goal which, every day when I opened my eyes in the morning, I knew I was going for. When I was avoiding eating too much sugar, making sure not to eat bad food before scrims, taking care in my sleep schedule, stayed away from playing other games, it was to win EMEA Masters. Now that it’s done, I have to move on to a new goal. Obviously, that’ll be reaching the LEC, then playing well there, and finally win the LEC. I’m taking it one step at a time.

Do you have any final message for the Blue Wall and Karmine Corp?

Maynter: Yeah, this is probably my last interview in this uniform. I’m really happy I was here with you. You changed my life, you changed my mindset. You did an amazing job today as well, and we got the 3-0. It’s not only our players and coaches, it’s you too. So thank you, guys. I don’t even know how to express it in words. Every player on my team, and me especially, we are very grateful to be here, for every second in this club, and every second in this bootcamp. I couldn’t be happier. Thank you a lot, guys. Keep doing your work—you are the best.”

Header Photo Credit: Webedia / Elliot Le Corre