Mad Lions Koi’s World Championship Journey: An Exclusive Interview with Bartłomiej “Fresskowy” Przewoźnik

World Cup 2024 news and Road to London content provided by AGON by AOC | (Photo by Liu Yicun/Riot Games)

Mad Lions Koi entered the 2024 League of Legends World Championship with humble expectations, largely attributed to their young roster and past performances in the tournament. However, with the seasoned jungler Javier “Elyoya” Prades Batalla leading the way, the team successfully progressed from the Play-Ins to the Swiss Stage. Their journey took a challenging turn as they faced Bilibili Gaming and PSG Talon, the latter being a regional minor team where they had hoped for a stronger showing. Unfortunately, after suffering two difficult defeats, Mad Lions Koi found themselves on the brink of elimination.

In their final showdown against GAM Esports, Mad Lions Koi managed a win but ultimately fell short, losing the series 2-1 and becoming the first team to exit the tournament. Despite the progress they demonstrated, the rookies struggled to keep pace with the more seasoned competitors. After their exit, we had the opportunity to chat with Bartłomiej “Fresskowy” Przewoźnik, the Polish midfielder, to gather insights on the team’s experience leading up to the World Cup, the challenges faced, and what the future holds for this promising lineup.

Reflections on the Match

Thank you for taking the time for this interview. I know this must be a tough moment, but could you share your initial thoughts following the match?

“Honestly, it’s hard to articulate anything coherent right now. I’m feeling anger, devastation, and frustration. It’s still unclear what exactly went wrong. As a team, we’re undergoing many changes and absorbing new lessons here at the World Cup. The way we’ve been playing this year isn’t enough to secure a victory. We need to integrate numerous new concepts into our gameplay. We’re learning a lot, but translating that into official matches has proven too rapid of a transition. I just feel we’ve lost too quickly because I haven’t hit my personal goals or expectations. I was really looking forward to gaining more experience on stage, and now it ends here.”

Assessing Expectations

What were your expectations going into such a prestigious international stage for the first time?

“I aimed to play as many matches as possible. While I didn’t set any specific goals for winning, I hoped to perform in line with my capabilities. Unfortunately, I don’t think I hit the mark. To be honest, I felt I played better in some games than others at the World Cup, but even then, it wasn’t enough.”

Mindset and Performance

Do you believe the outcome was influenced more by mindset or perhaps the mechanical aspects of your play?

“It’s certainly a mix of both, but I would lean more toward the mental aspect. Mechanically, we aren’t that far off from the other teams, but we clearly have room for improvement, especially when it comes to Asian and Chinese teams, who definitely play at a much faster pace and with greater intensity. But I think the disparity is primarily mental and knowledge-based.”

“I want to apologize to the fans for our underwhelming performance. I hope they continue to believe in us because we’ve made considerable strides and learned invaluable lessons during this World Cup. In time, I believe we’ll emerge as a stronger team.” – Fresskowy, Mad Lions Koi

Team Inexperience

Do you think the inexperience of the team contributed to the overall performance?

“Yes, there’s definitely some truth to that. Although it’s hard to come to terms with it in the aftermath, being new to the World Cup stage might have influenced us.”

Thoughts on Drafts and Strategies

Would you like to comment on the drafts, bans, and perhaps the use of Yone during your matches?

“Generally, I don’t focus too much on the drafts. I think their importance is overstated, especially for teams that are on par with one another and deep into the tournament. That’s when draft strategies really showcase their significance.”

Comparative Performance and Expectations

Comparing your scrims and practices prior to the main stage, did you observe a significant shift in performance during the actual matches?

“I believe we fell short of expectations a bit, but honestly, our performance in the Play-Ins wasn’t extraordinary either. We secured some victories mainly because of individual talent rather than cohesive team play. While it’s certainly been a great learning opportunity, I wish it could have lasted longer to show our improvements.”

Words of Comfort

What did the coaching staff say to you following your exit from the competition?

“I’m still in shock, so I didn’t really absorb what others around me were saying. I typically feel a sense of shame after a loss, so I just wanted to distance myself from the situation.”

Support from Fans

There were many fans present after the match. What message do you have for them?

“I genuinely apologize again for our performance. I hope the fans will keep supporting us and maintain faith in us because we’ve learned a lot through this experience, even if we didn’t showcase it fully. I now have a clearer understanding of how to compete against Asian teams, and I’m excited about what lies ahead. I believe we’ll be much stronger in the future.”

Looking Ahead

You mentioned a focus on long-term improvement. Have you already begun discussions about the upcoming offseason and potential strategies for the 2025 season?

“Not just yet. We’ll likely start our bootcamp in December as we always do, but our plans have shifted since this loss was unexpected.”

The Role of Ibai

How does Ibai interact with the team? Did he provide any words of support?

“He wasn’t in the team room, which is typical as we tend to keep our focus leading into matches. But we do know we have tremendous support from him and the organization.”

Closing Thoughts on Future Improvements

What specific areas do you feel need addressing moving forward?

“It all boils down to the details—delving deeper into various aspects of the game. Small elements like zone control and rapid map gameplay are where we need to close the gap. While there’s a noticeable division between us and the Asian teams, this opportunity has granted me invaluable insights that will help us adapt our approach and eventually succeed.”

Understanding the Eastern and Western Divide

In your opinion, what creates the divide between Western and Eastern team performance?

“It’s about the small details and the overall quality of practice. Asian teams have a better grasp of the game, and it’s evident that they approach the game with a stronger understanding of macro strategies.”

As Mad Lions Koi embarks on this journey of growth and experience, the spirit and dedication of players like Fresskowy shine through. With hard work, passion, and insight gained from their World Cup experience, this burgeoning roster is poised to rise in the competitive League of Legends landscape. The future is undoubtedly bright for Mad Lions Koi as they aim to bridge the gap with their Eastern counterparts and make a mark on global stages.