NiKo after the Falcons ' elimination from the EWC: “We looked like a completely different team”

NiKo after the Falcons ' elimination from the EWC: “We looked like a completely different team”

Falcons player Nikola “ NiKo ” Kovač commented on the team’s shocking loss to Legacy in the Esports World Cup 2026 round of 16 in an interview with HLTV.org. The team, which had confidently won its first three matches at the tournament, unexpectedly lost 0:2 and ended its run in Paris.

Falcons Did Not Recognize Themselves in the Decisive Match
NiKo admitted that the team delivered one of its worst performances in recent memory. According to him, Falcons knew in advance what to expect from Legacy , but their prepared game plan did not work.

It is definitely a shock. We looked like a completely different team compared to the previous three matches. Legacy played incredibly well, but we also played a very poor match. We expected more and had higher ambitions for this tournament. I cannot even remember the last time we were beaten this badly.
Nikola “ NiKo ” Kovač

Falcons Focused Too Much on Their Opponent

According to NiKo , the problem was not caused by one specific factor. Falcons simultaneously lost their usual level of individual performance, tempo, and confidence in rounds.

I think it was a combination of everything. We never managed to reach our usual level. We played the rounds very slowly, perhaps hesitated too much, and were even a little afraid.

Nikola “ NiKo ” Kovač

The Bosnian also suggested that the team focused too heavily on how to counter Legacy instead of imposing its own game.

Perhaps we thought too much about their style and how to counter it instead of simply playing more to our own strengths.
Nikola “ NiKo ” Kovač

NiKo Admitted He Performed Poorly Individually

The player did not avoid taking responsibility for the unsuccessful match. He finished the two-map series with a 0.76 rating and admitted that he could not play in his usual style.

For some reason, I could not play my own game. I could not dictate the tempo or take duels on my terms. That is why I am very disappointed with my own performance today.
Nikola “ NiKo ” Kovač

The only Falcons player NiKo highlighted positively was m0NESY . According to him, the AWPer started Mirage particularly well, but it was not enough to save the team.