In an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, the captain of Movistar KOI and one of Europe's top junglers, Javier "Elyoya" Prades Batalla, shared his thoughts on the defeat in the first match at the MSI 2025 against Bilibili Gaming. The Spanish team, which secured first place at the LEC, now has to fight in the lower bracket of the tournament. Elyoya candidly discussed his mistakes, disappointments, and lessons learned from this defeat, as well as how the team plans to move forward.

Diving into Disappointment: Mistakes and Personal Experiences

After a tough loss to Bilibili Gaming, where KOI couldn't showcase their best gameplay, Elyoya opened up about his experiences and the errors he made. One of the most poignant moments of the interview was related to his personal disappointment:

Honestly, I played in fear. I respected them too much and couldn't play the way I wanted. I thought they would do everything perfectly, which led to mistakes in the first and third games. My main lesson: I didn't adapt, I didn't play my style. I was too focused on their potential actions and couldn't show my true level.

 

The self-esteem issues reflected in his gameplay are not accidental — Elyoya admitted that his previous international setbacks have left a mark on his confidence.

I can't say this match was easy. In the past, playing against Asian teams, I often felt I couldn't compete with them. But now my mentality is changing, and I'm confident I can perform better. I will definitely take responsibility for this defeat and be more confident in the upcoming matches.

 

How Will the First Match Defeat Change the Team's Approach?

The match against BLG was a significant test for Elyoya and the entire team. Despite the loss, the player remains optimistic and confident in the team's abilities in the tournament. As a captain, he viewed the setback as an important lesson:

It was a chance we missed. But I know we can come back stronger. We've learned a lot from this defeat and are determined to keep fighting. I don't want to say Bilibili Gaming was a weak opponent — they're a strong team, but I believe we could have beaten them. This defeat is especially bitter because we couldn't show our best level of play.

 

Regarding future matches, Elyoya stated that despite the disappointment, the team is focused on winning the next series. He is confident that their previous experience will aid them moving forward:

We will face the team that loses in the CFO vs. T1 match. I am sure we can win, but we need to respect our opponent. JunJia is a strong player, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play against him.

 

The Team's Future and Growing Confidence

Elyoya continues to be one of the most prominent and driven players on the international stage. Despite the challenges, he remains confident in his team and their potential. Every international tournament is a chance for KOI to show what they're capable of, and their journey at the MSI 2025 will continue with hopes for new victories.

The Mid-Season Invitational 2025 will take place from June 27 to July 12 in Canada with a prize pool of $2,000,000. You can follow the news, schedule, and tournament results via this link.