Alvaro after MSI 2025 exit: "If you're afraid, you've already lost"
The defeat by CTBC Flying Oyster marked the end of Movistar KOI 's run at the MSI 2025. Despite being one of Europe's strongest representatives, the team couldn't deliver the expected level of play. In an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, MKOI support Álvaro " Alvaro " Fernández del Amo shared his insights on the reasons for their failure, assessed the strength of their opponents, and discussed the team's future.
The Final Hope of Europe
Movistar KOI concluded their performance at the Mid-Season Invitational on July 5 after losing to the Taiwanese team CTBC Flying Oyster . This was a blow not only to the players themselves but also to the European region as a whole — both EMEA teams were eliminated in the first round of the lower bracket. According to Álvaro, the reason for their failure lies not in strategy or execution but in mental unpreparedness.
Individually, we had the level to compete with the best, but mentally we weren't ready. We were scared. We weren't decisive against CFO.
Emotions, Pressure, and Lack of Confidence
Álvaro noted that the team faced similar issues in their series against Bilibili Gaming . He supported Elyoya , who had previously spoken about the mental strain.
Today we played with regrets. Personally, I tried to play without them — that was my goal. I could regret how I prepared, but I think I managed. I had no regrets.
He also commented on the second match, where the opponent's aggressive early game disrupted their plans.
When they used Bard's portal and got a double kill on the bottom lane, the game became much harder. We didn't lose because of the draft, but that situation limited us significantly.
CFO Punished Every Mistake
In the fourth match of the series, Movistar KOI found themselves under pressure again after an unconventional start by Pantheon from the bottom side of the map. This put the team in a losing position from the outset.
Pantheon started from bot, and we lost control. Thresh could flank, Pantheon could skip camps. We had to choose: push the wave and risk it or concede it and lose tempo.
The State of EMEA and the Team's Future
Despite criticism of the region, Álvaro believes that progress is being made, even if it's not yet visible in results.
We finished 7–8, but in scrims, it looked different. We have grown as a team, but more needs to be done. The experience we gained here will help us come back stronger.
He also noted that other regions are catching up, and the international scene has become much more competitive.
There used to be only two real leagues — LCK and LPL . Now every team in its own way pushes others forward. The gap is still there, but it's closing.
Thoughts Before the Summer Split
Evaluating the team's overall performance, Álvaro emphasized experience and the need for improvement.
This was my first trip outside Europe. We'll return home, prepare for the EWC and the summer split. We need to work on our mistakes, especially in laning and self-confidence.
In conclusion, he spoke about the Western mental block against Asian teams.
If you're afraid, you've already lost. I'm not afraid. I respect strong players, but I don't look up to them. I want to beat them next time.
Movistar KOI represented Europe at MSI 2025 after a successful spring split in the LEC. However, in the first round of the main stage, the team lost to Bilibili Gaming , and in the next match to CTBC Flying Oyster , leading to their tournament exit. The second representative of the region, G2 Esports , was also eliminated on the same day, sparking intense discussions about a crisis in European LoL.
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 results of the tournament through the link.
