Movistar KOI arrive at the
2026 World Championship as the LECās Summer runners-up, after a year in which few expected them to get this far. The Spanish team missed First Stand and MSI, were knocked out of the Esports World Cup group stage and started the Summer Split slowly, before a playoff run that took them to the final.
Their reward is a tough opener. MKOI face
, the First Stand champions and MSI runners-up, in the first round of the Swiss Stage on October 23. Ahead of the match,
Sheep Esports had the opportunity to speak with the teamās jungler, Javier ā
ā Prades.
Few expected KOI to finish as LEC runners-up after missing First Stand and MSI and a slow start to the Summer Split. Where did the team find the resilience to go that far?
Javier āElyoyaā Prades: āHonestly, it was after hitting rock bottom. When the chances to make it were not even in our hands, thatās when we found our resilience and our strength, because in a way we had nothing to lose at that point. We just gave our all, and we were lucky enough to make it to playoffs. Once we made it, we knew that when playoffs come around, itās a different MKOI, and we didnāt want to let ourselves down after the chance we were given by, in this case,
. We were really excited to have it, and I think thatās where we thrived.
What changed between the start of the season and the final stretch?
Elyoya: I think it was mostly the mentality. Honestly, the team was quite close to making it to MSI. We lost a Game 5 against
, and then we lost 0-3 to
. At First Stand, we lost 2-3 to KC. We just couldnāt close out the games. We were always so close to making it, and I think the biggest shift was the mentality and how we approached the end of the year. Thatās also what brought us here.
At the EWC, you said you werenāt proud of how you and the team played. How do you evaluate your season, and what do you take from that into this tournament?
Elyoya: Overall, my own performance and the teamās performance during the year have been really poor. Iām really not proud of how weāve been playing and how much we have struggled. Thatās what keeps us working so hard right now. We really want to prove to everyone, and even to ourselves, that this was not our level and that we can do much more. Thatās what we came to Worlds to do: show everyone how much better we are than what we showed.
KOI went out in the Swiss Stage in 2024 and 2025. What does the team have to do differently to avoid repeating those results?
Elyoya: In the end, we need to play better. Thatās the harsh truth. There is no magic recipe to make it out of groups if we are not a better team than we have been in the past, and thatās what we have been focusing on. Weāre going to play with no regrets, and I know we are going to be much better than what we showed at the last internationals. I know weāre going to make it out of the Swiss Stage this time.
What would be a good campaign for you? Would reaching the playoffs be enough?
Elyoya: Honestly, my objective is to win Worlds, and I would only be satisfied by winning it. Even if we made the final or the semifinals, I would obviously be prouder than if we left in the group stage, but I would not be happy. All my life Iāve been playing to win Worlds, and that will be my goal.
There are doubts about whether this lineup will stay together next year, even though some of you have contracts. How do you feel about this group and the years youāve spent together?
Elyoya: I think this has been my favorite team of my whole career. I really enjoyed all these years, and I hope we can have some more, but honestly, thatās not up to me. Itās also not the moment to think about it right now, we need to compete at Worlds. For sure, I have enjoyed every single game and every single moment with them, and Iām really happy with how things turned out. I would have hoped for better results, but Iām really happy with just the five of us as a group.
Your first game is against BLG, who already beat you at the EWC. What do you expect from the matchup, and what does MKOI need to do differently?
Elyoya: I think we need to step up in teamfights. The game is going to be close, for sure, and itās going to come down to teamfights. If weāre able to teamfight better than them, I know weāre going to take it home. Thatās what weāre going to focus on, executing the teamfights well. Iām playing for those fights, and if they go well, Iām really confident we will beat them.
What do you expect from the matchup against their jungler?
Elyoya: I think thereās going to be a lot of action in the early game. I know
(
Peng Li-Xun) is not scared to invade, and Iām willing to take the fight too. I think itās going to be a really exciting game with a lot of kills.
Any message for him before the game?
Elyoya: Iām waiting at my Raptors. I know he will come for them, so Iām waiting for you there. Just come meet me.ā
