G2 Esports got to their tenth LEC Final in a row. They earned the spot with a clean 3-0 win over Movistar KOI. Even with that easy win, G2 support player Labros Labrov Papoutsakis is not all that pleased. He points out the team can get better before the Final next week.
Labrov spoke to Esports.Net after the big win. He looked hard at his own play even after this great mark. He said they need to start over, check errors, and keep getting better for the Final. He talked about changes in the start of games and how support players are doing well now. Labrov showed the team’s slow but sure growth. Still, G2 wants to reach an even higher level.
Q) Congrats on making next week’s Final. This is G2’s 10th one straight. How does it feel?
Labrov: It feels good to win and head to another Final. I am not too happy though. We did not play our best today. But a win is a win. We need to reset now. We must learn from this match to get ready for next week.
We often start slow. This happens even in long series. It was the same at the start of this season part. But we get better over time. We play stronger now than in regular matches. There is progress. Still, I am not fully happy with today’s play. We all made lots of errors. But yes, I am glad we get to fight for the title in one week.
Q) You look hard at your own mistakes and play. Does that kind of self-check help you play at your high level?
Labrov: Yes, I think it does. Most players get mad at themselves for errors. I have many thoughts from this series that bother me. But I try not to dwell on bad stuff. We have played well overall. We keep getting better bit by bit. Our picks have been good too. It is nice we win close games and fight back strong. There are many good points.
Q) What have you gotten much better at since the season start? Maybe your list of heroes?
Labrov: Not really my hero list. I would say our early game play is better now. I got better there too. The game changes around jungle paths. I understand them more from playing a lot. This game is quite different from Worlds last year when we went there.
Q) I saw new season changes like Fae Lights. I thought it might help folks see what supports do each game. Do you agree?
Labrov: Yes, I do. Supports are strong in today’s game style. Fae Lights were too good at first. Riot made them weaker. They are not as big now. But supports get lots of gold. Like in the last game on Lulu, I had three items. I was very strong and grew fast. That pulls fights to the bottom lane now. Heroes like Nami and Lulu work well. Supports get cheap items with good gold. That is why they feel strong.
Q) I see some support setups with magic damage heroes in bottom lane. Have you tried those?
Labrov: I have not tried many. But they can work well, mostly in solo games. If you are good with those heroes and like them, you can make big plays. There is a Vel’Koz support in the US who hit top rank. He plays Vel’Koz in many spots, including support. He wins most games. So yes, it is a good choice for solo play.
Q) I meant items like Diadem of Song and Echoes of Helia.
Labrov: Yes, Yoon Jun Se-jun used them on Serafine. Diadem works great on her. People build them now. That helps why these support heroes see more play. Last year, you did not see them much.
Q) Any hero you might hint at for the Finals?
Labrov: Maybe Yuumi. Laughs. Who knows. It is wide open.
Q) You faced MKOI today. Among the teams left, who do you think might make the Final? Or another G2 vs MKOI in Spain?
Labrov: I really do not know. MKOI did well today, especially game three. They missed some fights but had a good early lead in games two and three. Their draft was tough maybe. But they could beat KC or GX. KC might be strong too. GX gets called Scrim Gods in practice. Maybe they show it in Barcelona. The future is hard to guess. I just focus on my team getting solid.
Q) Tell me more about GX as Scrim Gods. Why that name? And why good in practice but not always on stage?
Labrov: There were times this year and last when GX won all practice games against everyone, even us. We played them once and they did great. Gave us trouble. But it is not always steady. On stage, they do not push as hard usually. Though sometimes they do, like lots of fights in their last game. It varies. GX could make Finals if they fix issues.
Q) One more personal if okay. A year ago, you seemed shy in talks. Like our first chat in January 2025. What changed in you since joining G2? Not as player, but as person.
Labrov: I agree. New places make you quiet if you are shy. It takes time to adjust. But I grew a lot here as a person. Thanks to teammates, staff like Romain and Isma. They helped me be my best self. It shows in how I talk in interviews too.