“Hopefully Odo will feed”: An interview with KOI Larssen

In an exclusive discussion with Emil “Larssen” Larsson, the mid-laner provides insights into KOI’s challenging preparation phase, organizational transition, and strategic adjustments heading into the 2023 LEC season.

KOI launched their 2023 campaign with a decisive victory against Team BDS, setting a positive tone for the split. Prior to facing Excel, Larssen shared detailed perspectives on team coordination challenges and the highly anticipated matchup against former teammate Odoamne.

WIN.gg: Given BDS fielded a completely new roster while KOI retained most of their 2022 lineup, did this provide a strategic edge in your opening match?

Larssen: Honestly, I wouldn’t characterize their new lineup as giving us any particular advantage. They actually had more extensive scrimmage sessions than we did, since our team began preparations relatively late in the preseason. From a theoretical standpoint, BDS should have been better prepared—they also invested significantly more time in solo queue during the break. On paper, they’re probably considered the lowest-ranked squad, so today’s outcome primarily reflected that reality.

With Trymbi mentioning inconsistent scrim performances, does facing a theoretically weaker opponent help stabilize your early season form?

Having a more manageable opening opponent certainly helps when you’re dealing with limited practice time and performance inconsistencies. Interestingly, our current preparation level actually exceeds where we were at this point last season, when we ultimately claimed the championship title. Starting the split with immediate success always builds crucial momentum.

How has the transition from Odoamne to Szygenda reshaped KOI’s tactical identity and in-game approach?

The roster adjustment fundamentally transforms our team’s operational dynamics—these players bring distinctly different styles and strategic preferences. Szygenda consistently favors carry-oriented champions and aggressive lane dominance, whereas Odoamne earned his reputation as the master of weak-side efficiency. This necessitates substantial shifts in our resource allocation, requiring increased top-lane attention and draft prioritization for that position. The impact extends well beyond surface-level changes.

Their personalities and communication styles differ significantly as well, meaning what appears as a single personnel change actually creates ripple effects throughout our team ecosystem that exceed external expectations.

Considering Odoamne’s veteran status, who now assumes leadership responsibilities within the squad?

Our leadership structure operates through collective contribution rather than centralized authority. Each member brings specific expertise to decision-making processes, creating a balanced leadership model. Odoamne’s influence was always part of a distributed responsibility framework rather than singular command.

What noticeable differences have emerged since transitioning from ROGUE to KOI, particularly regarding fan engagement and organizational culture?

The expanded supporter base represents the most significant transformation following the organizational rebranding. While operational structures remain largely consistent, the competitive experience feels distinctly different—even within the familiar LEC environment. We felt additional motivation to deliver a strong performance for the KOI community, especially given our academy team’s challenging start in the Spanish league—we wanted to provide some positive momentum for the entire organization.

With the condensed three-week opening stage format, does roster continuity provide accelerated adaptation benefits?

Continuity advantages are somewhat offset by the substantial impact of even single roster changes. We opted for an extended break following last year’s marathon season, so our current form remains in development phase. The new competitive format itself is excellent, but our preparation timeline requires gradual ramp-up rather than immediate peak performance.

Does the current mid-lane champion meta align particularly well with your established playstyle and preferences?

Meta specifications don’t significantly influence my performance ceiling—I’ve demonstrated adaptability across multiple strategic environments throughout my career. Personal champion preferences remain secondary to team composition requirements and victory conditions.

Current mid-lane strategies feature considerable flexibility, with numerous viable champion options available. This diversity allows for creative adaptation rather than restrictive meta compliance.

What are your primary objectives and strategic outlook for the upcoming Excel matchup?

This confrontation carries extra significance due to the Odoamne narrative. Similarly, matches against G2 gain additional importance with Hans sama’s presence. These specific rivalries generate heightened competitive motivation.

We’re aiming for dominant performance with particular focus on top-lane pressure. Creating challenging scenarios for Odoamne would certainly add entertaining elements to the competition.

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