Hanwha Life, a strong contender for victory, saw their EWC 2026 journey come to an end in the quarterfinals. They were defeated 0-2 by T1 in a match for a spot in the semifinals, surprising many with their lackluster performance. Despite facing a demanding schedule, Lee ‘Gumayusi’ Min-hyeong from Hanwha Life mentioned, “It’s disappointing, but I see it as an opportunity to assess the strengths of teams we may encounter at Worlds or other major tournaments in the future.”
‘Gumayusi’ expressed his disappointment, stating, “We all put in a lot of effort to win this EWC, so it’s disheartening to exit in the quarterfinals. The period since MSI has been extremely challenging, and I want to commend my teammates for enduring this tough journey together. I look forward to regrouping, resting well, and preparing for our next match.”
Reflecting on the reasons for their defeat, he analyzed, “I believe we were outplayed in terms of overall macro play, such as the skirmish in Game 1 and our positioning in Game 2. T1 is a formidable team that requires constant vigilance, and I understood that any complacency or errors on our part could lead to a result like this.”
With the tournament concluded, Hanwha Life will return to Korea to prepare for the LCK. ‘Gumayusi’ explained, “We have about ten days until the LCK, but we need to focus on match preparation and other obligations first. Despite the short break, our priority is to rest as effectively as possible during this time.”
Although the EWC exit is disappointing, ‘Gumayusi’ is taking a broader perspective. He remarked, “Our victory at MSI boosted our confidence and highlighted our potential. While our quarterfinal elimination at EWC is disappointing, it provides insight into the capabilities of teams we may face at future events like Worlds.”
In conclusion, he stated, “Our aim was the championship, so it’s regrettable to bow out in the quarterfinals, and I apologize to the fans. We will regroup, prepare diligently, and strive until the next match,” before departing the interview area.
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