BLG and KOI Open EWC 2026 Group Stage With Cross-Regional Test

Few opening-round matches offered more individual star power than Bilibili Gaming against Movistar KOI. Bin, Xun, Knight, Viper and ON faced Myrwn, Elyoya, Jojopyun, Supa and Alvaro in a one-game meeting between China and Europe. There was no time for either lineup to grow into the series.

BLG had split two recent meetings with Hanwha Life Esports, winning 3-1 before losing a five-game series. KOI came off close and painful domestic defeats: 3-2 to G2 Esports and 3-0 to Karmine Corp. That history put different kinds of pressure on the two teams. BLG carried the favorite's burden; KOI had another chance to prove its ceiling against elite opposition.

Flexibility defined the draft. BLG selected Cassiopeia, Nautilus, Ambessa, Lee Sin and Akali, keeping several assignments unclear until late. KOI answered with Bard, Ezreal, Vi, Vex and Anivia. Bard and Vi offered immediate ways to start a fight, while Ezreal gave the European side room to play from range.

The ban phase narrowed the solo-lane battle. KOI removed Syndra, Camille, Jayce, Naafiri and Poppy. BLG took Orianna, Varus, Nocturne, Renekton and Shyvana away. With so many stable options gone, the game asked a simple question: could KOI disrupt BLG's preferred rhythm before Knight and Bin found control?