LCS top seed Lion secured a convincing 3-0 victory over CBLOL’s FURIA in the opening match of the ‘2026 LoL Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)’ at the Daejeon Convention Center Exhibition Hall 2. Despite the clean sweep, both the first and second games were tightly contested affairs that extended into the late game, showcasing the teams’ resilience.
FlyQuest is now set to face the winner of the T1 vs. BLG matchup. Coach Han ‘Rigby’ Earl, previously with Afreeca Freecs (now DN Super) in 2021, has been a prominent figure as a head coach and coach in North America. Here is the exclusive interview with FlyQuest coach ‘Rigby’.
Q. How do you feel about the 3-0 victory?
Although we emerged victorious, I can’t help but feel dissatisfied as I believe our opponents outperformed us in certain aspects. Usually, even in defeat, we can learn and grow from matches where the opposing team excels. Today, despite the win, we struggled to execute our planned plays and made too many mistakes. It’s crucial for us to address these issues and ensure each player fulfills their role effectively according to their champion.
Q. You have been coaching in North America for a considerable time. How has your experience evolved since then?
I believe I have grown significantly as an individual since my time in Korea. I have learned the importance of the responsibilities that come with being a head coach and how to establish trust with players. Ultimately, regardless of the stage, our shared goal unites us all. Wherever my coaching journey takes me, my ultimate aim remains consistent – achieving success in international competitions.
Q. The first two games were hard-fought victories, with some challenges along the way. What are your thoughts on that?
Leading up to MSI, our strategies underwent significant changes, prompting us to opt for compositions favored by strong teams in the current meta rather than our traditional comfort picks for the initial games. Admittedly, this decision was influenced by our opponents, FURIA. However, the issue did not lie in our choice of champions but rather in our players’ execution of their respective roles. Our objective is for each player to excel in fulfilling their champion’s role during skirmishes, and I am disappointed with today’s performance in that aspect.
During moments of adversity, improved communication was crucial, yet there were noticeable gaps in information sharing. Fortunately, seasoned players like ‘Berserker’ and ‘Inspired’ helped maintain our composure, but such a performance against a top-tier team will pose challenges.
Q. The upcoming match holds great significance as you await the winner between T1 and BLG. How do you anticipate that match unfolding, and do you have a preference for your next opponent?
My prediction leans towards T1 emerging victorious. Having scrimmaged against both teams, I found T1 to be a step above. Personally, I would lean towards facing BLG. While both teams excel in skirmishes, I find BLG’s method of rotating objectives to be more manageable compared to T1’s approach, and their laning phase also appears solid.
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