Eliminated from the League of Legends Worlds 2024 Play-In, the Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming now have to head home after failing to secure victory in the tournament. In this exclusive interview, the team's veteran toplaner, Shunsuke "Evi" Murase, reflects on the circumstances surrounding the team's loss, talks about his return to Berlin, and offers a heartfelt look into his disappointment over his performances at the tournament.

How are you feeling after your team's elimination?

Shunsuke "Evi" Murase: "I am disappointed... I have a lot of regrets about how we played today. I think we had the potential to make more plays and that we could have won the match.

Could you explain your team’s decision to ban K’Sante on the blue side instead of picking it, especially given your history with the champion? Do you feel like you had a different read on the meta compared to other teams?

Evi: Sniper is a really good K’Sante player. The champion is also really strong in lane-swap scenarios, so our coach decided it would be better to ban him out.

How did it feel playing against River today, given your shared history in the LJL? Was there any sense of rivalry between you and River?

Evi: There was definitely some nostalgia there, but I think that River is a completely different player now than he was back then. I was impressed and I think he played this match very well. He has become a really good player, so I hope he does well in the future.

How has it been for you being back in Berlin for Worlds, especially after competing in the LEC with Team Heretics last year?

Evi: The LEC staff were all very welcoming. They came up to me, gave me a hug, and said, 'Welcome back, Evi!' I was very touched to be received so well and that they remembered me. I’m just disappointed that I couldn’t pick up some wins for them and our fans on the LEC stage again.

How has your return to the LJL gone in 2024? We heard you considered retirement after your time with Team Heretics. Do you still view this year as a success, and what do you see for your future?

Evi: The retirement part was more about a lack of motivation. I feared that I had lost the motivation and passion for the game. After a bit, I decided to keep playing because I thought I could use the things I learned while playing for Team Heretics and put them into practice in the LJL. This year was good, but again, my only regret is our Worlds run.

Do you have any thoughts on the APAC region merge next year? How do you see your future evolving with the region?

Evi: Currently, I don't have any answers nor have I thought much about it. For now, I plan on just taking some rest and I'll think about it later.

How do you view PSG Talon's chances in the tournament now that your team has exited? Are you confident in the PCS's ability to contend with other regions?

Evi: I think PSG is a really good team. They are really good at adapting and fixing their mistakes. So, even though they lost against MDK, I think they will still be able to make it to the Swiss Stage.

Having three players that made their Worlds debut on your roster, do you still think that the tournament will help your team and its younger members grow?

Evi: Definitely. I think it’s impossible to play on the world stage without getting nervous. I could feel that throughout the tournament, they became more comfortable both with their plays and communication. I believe this experience will be good for them, and with the lessons we've learned, we can do better at the next international event.

Do you have any message for European fans who have been following you since last year?

Evi: [In English] Thank you for watching our games. I’m really sorry we showed bad plays and bad games. I'm really sad about that, but I'm really happy to have been back to the LEC studio and Berlin. I really enjoyed last year and I'm very thankful for you cheering for us. Never give up!👍"