LEC 2026 - Movistar KOI: Becoming the biggest fish in the pond (4/10)

After a year marked by progress and success, Movistar KOI ultimately failed to convert its results into a defining performance at Worlds. Nevertheless, the organization enters the new season with a united group in which it places considerable trust, hoping to continue its upward trajectory.

There will be no changes to the roster that won the 2025 LEC Spring title, reached the Summer final, and exited in the Swiss Stage at Worlds. On the contrary, the Spanish organization even aims to extend most of its players in order to build long-term stability. While other contenders have strengthened significantly, KOI has opted for continuity and now sets its sights on taking a decisive step forward on the international stage.

Unlike many of its competitors, KOI is one of only three teams to have made no changes to last year’s lineup. Instead, team owner and streamer Ibai Llanos confirmed on Twitch that he intends to renew the contracts of most of the roster. This has already been achieved with Head Coach Tomás "Melzhet" Campelos, whose deal has been extended until 2028. He spoke to Sheep Esports to provide insight into the team’s offseason.

He first confirmed his decision to continue with the current squad next year. "Last year, we were more focused on LEC. And I think in LEC we did fine. Now I think it's time for us to focus on a bigger challenge. And that's why I think the continuity for another year makes sense.” While Ibai has stated that KOI intends to renew its players, this has not yet been finalized for Alex "Myrwn" Villarejo and David "Supa" Garcia.

While praising the team’s jungle–support synergy and the qualities of midlaner Joseph "Jojopyun" Pyun, Melzhet explained what he expects more specifically from those two players. "I think Myrwn needs to be more consistent and carry some situations when he has the lead that he builds on the toplane. Also, he needs to get more knowledge in mid-game and play better in the sidelane. For Supa, he needs to be a player who, if he gets a 2k gold lead, then we are winning the game no matter what. They need to step up a bit, but I fully trust them for this.”

Beyond the roster, the main change concerns the coaching staff, with the departure of Quentin "Zeph" Viguié and the arrival of Barney "Alphari" Morris and Eric "Independent" Ruiz. Melzhet justified this renewal as necessary to help the team continue improving. "I was not fully happy with how we all work together as a staff. I think we needed to improve. I found Alphari, who I think has a very specific skillset that is not that easy to find. Then I needed to select someone who fit the best with that option, and then I found Independent to be the best pair with him."

He added that things have gone very well so far, clarifying that although Alphari will indeed serve as an assistant coach, he will also be able to work closely with Myrwn, bringing his expertise as he previously did with G2 Esports and Sergen "BrokenBlade" Çelik.

Head Coach of the team since 2024, Melzhet also explained why he chose to extend his contract with the Spanish organization. "I always said that if possible and the conditions were right, I wanted to stay in one team and build something really good. That makes no sense to change if they are letting me grow and they are growing too."

He went on to describe how he hopes to help both the team and the region develop. "We are going to build another academy in the amateur scene. That is something that they really wanted. I am going to work now more closely with Academy in Superliga. I want to build a strong structure and system to help players to promote and improve the level of the region. I want to avoid that we end up like NA and that we are only importing Korean players."

After a largely successful year domestically, KOI hopes to continue its progress internationally this season. Dissatisfied with its recent Worlds performance, the objective is clearly to do better this time. "The minimum is to win another LEC and then, of course, qualify for the internationals events and there compete with the Asian teams and win some best-ofs nd of course if things are going amazingly well then try to win it."

Melzhet also intends to use the LEC Versus format to help the team grow and does not place excessive expectations on that competition, preferring to be fully prepared for later key moments of the season. "I'm sure that whatever the meta is going to be played at First Stand, it's not going to be the meta of MSI and Worlds at all. So I'm not valuing the Winter Split really high in general."

To reach these objectives, Melzhet knows he must elevate the team to another level, and that requires progress in several areas that he himself identifies. He points to KOI’s loss to KT Rolster on the opening day of Worlds as an example, explaining that the team must be mentally stronger and handle such situations more effectively. He also cites numerous gameplay aspects, including tempo, sidelaning, resource management, teamfighting, and the laning phase. Ultimately, he hopes to transform one of last season’s weaknesses into the team’s greatest strength. "Our biggest strength this season? To be more consistent. At least it’s going to be my goal."

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