AND this weekend saw the return of the top European competition, the LEC, which has never failed to leave an impression since its inception. As we hit 2025, the level of relevance and numbers has skyrocketed, thanks in large part to the arrival of new teams that have brought thousands of fans to the competition, along with many captivating storylines. Three clubs, in particular, caught our attention – Movistar Koi, Karmine Corp, and Giantx – all of which joined the League last year.
The competitive Legends scene has also experienced significant growth in our country, with Heretics, Movistar Koi, and Giantx all contributing to the surge. The first, undoubtedly, boasts the largest fanbase, while the second is the most historically significant, making the LEC more popular than ever in Spain. However, it’s impossible to overlook the impact of Ibai Llanos’ club, which has revolutionized Spanish eSports since its creation, achieving instant relevance that many clubs with years of history can only dream of.
Not only is it a club with a massive following and immense relevance, but Movistar Koi also had an impressive 2024, representing our country in Europe and the world. They reached the LEC final in the 2024 Winter Split and, alongside G2 eSports and Fnatic, were European representatives in the Worlds, with four Spanish players adding to the excitement surrounding Ibai Llanos’ team. As for 2025, Koi has experienced a mixed bag, with a strong regular phase followed by a tough defeat against Karmine Corp, their arch-rivals, which sent them to the ‘loser bracket’ where they faced Giantx in a do-or-die, all-Spanish clash.
## Movistar Koi wakes up on time against Giantx
Giantx had the momentum going into this series, having beaten Heretics the previous day, while Movistar Koi was still reeling from their tough loss against Karmine Corp. However, once the games began, all of that was forgotten. The first map saw both teams make unusual picks, with Movistar Koi choosing a Read without Jackies in Mid and Giantx opting for a Vex on the Toplane. The first game was a repeat of many maps we’ve seen from Movistar Koi this season, with them dominating the map from the start thanks to an almost flawless laning phase. As the game progressed, all of Ibai’s players took control, and despite making a couple of mistakes, Melzhet’s team never gave Giantx a chance, with Elyoya securing nearly all the objectives.
The second game was almost a carbon copy of the first, with Movistar Koi dictating the pace from the beginning. This time, however, Elyoya’s early game with Nidalee was particularly impressive, helping to steer the ship back on course after the disillusioning loss to Karmine Corp. With this, Movistar Koi imposed a convincing 2-0 victory over Giantx and now turns their attention to the next round, where they’ll face off against Fnatic in a best-of-five series that promises to be a thriller.