As G2 Esports prepares for the First Stand Tournament 2026, their top laner, Sergen “BrokenBlade” Çelik, believes the biggest challenge at international events is not always mechanics or strategy against other teams. Often, it is mentality.
Speaking to Dot Esports ahead of the tournament in Brazil, BrokenBlade pointed to confidence as the key factor that separates teams that merely compete from those that actually challenge the world’s best. “I think, from experience… you need to, as a player, especially coming from the underdog region or team, you need to play with the confidence that you will win,” he said.
For Western League of Legends teams entering international events, the gap against top teams from Korea and China has often been framed in terms of gameplay or macro. But BrokenBlade believes mindset plays a crucial role when facing opponents with dominant reputations.
“When you play against great teams that are respected internationally, you also respect them way too much in the game,” he explained.
That excessive respect can subtly influence decision-making on stage, making players hesitant in situations where they might otherwise take risks or force plays, which often can be very rewarding. “And I think you just have to play the game. It’s just really simple as that,” he said.
G2 arriving prepared in Brazil despite a tight schedule
Despite the humorous tone in a promotional video for the tournament, BrokenBlade said the team’s focus has been firmly on preparation. “We are very focused, of course. I mean, [the hype video] is obviously a funny skit. But we prepared already before coming to First Stand our schedules a little bit, so we are as prepared as possible.”
The tournament’s condensed schedule has also added an extra layer of challenge for teams arriving from different regions. “Everything here is obviously a little bit more rushed than in other international tournaments. That’s just the schedule we have, so we have to deal with that.”
The top laner said handling travel, media duties, and tight schedules at international events largely comes down to experience. For him, long media days followed by practice have become part of the routine of competing at the highest level.
“It’s really a lot of experience, and focusing and maintaining your energy throughout the day,” he said. Even with early match times and demanding schedules, he believes players simply have to adjust and take it with a “kind heart”. “As a pro player, you don’t have a choice but to adapt. You have to play with the cards that you’re given.”
Still, BrokenBlade said he is energized by the chance to compete in Brazil, highlighting both the atmosphere and the passion of the local fans. “It feels great. It’s cool that it’s warm [in Brazil]. Back in Germany, it’s a bit colder, so the energy is good,” he said. “The crowd is going to be a bit smaller than what we expected. But I think the Brazilian fans show a lot of passion, so I’m sure we will be able to hear them anyway.”
The tournament’s venue has also been a point of discussion in the League community, with Riot confirming the event is being held at a smaller studio location in São Paulo. The developer said it plans to review the scale of the event after this year.
Facing the world’s best top laners and shifting top lane meta
The event also features some of the strongest individual players in the world, especially in the top lane. “I think the strongest top laners to play against are Bin and Kiin,” Brokenblade highlighted two matchups that he is particularly “excited” about in the tournament.
Those potential clashes could become some of the most anticipated moments of the tournament if G2 meets teams from China or Korea later in the bracket. Beyond individual opponents, BrokenBlade also pointed to recent seasonal changes in the game that have reshaped the top lane’s influence.
BrokenBlade also pointed to recent system changes that have reshaped the impact of the top lane. “With the new quests and stuff, top lane has more impact in the game. You feel more relevant more often,” he said, adding that level advantages can become significant when players are not directly laning against their opponent.
“Knowing how to abuse those timings is what’s new from last year… and it makes it much easier to play when you know how to use those things,” he added, reflecting on the teleport changes.
Creativity is still part of G2 Esports’ identity
G2 Esports has long been associated with unconventional strategies, and BrokenBlade hinted that some surprises may still be coming at FST 2026. “You’re for sure going to see something that is not normal for me this tournament,” he said.
BrokenBlade’s words were already reflected in G2’s opening match against Team Secret Whales. Across the series, he played Rumble, Kled, and Shen, winning Player of the Match in the final game. Despite Kled and Shen rarely appearing in the current meta, G2 showed they could still succeed with unconventional picks.
The veteran top laner also reflected on the team’s evolving approach to champion picks. “I do think we are playing a bit more normal champions than in the last few years,” he said. And that balance between disciplined play and creativity could be a key factor as they attempt to challenge the tournament favorites.
No expectations, just pure performance
G2 Esports also shares a bit of history with Brazilian international events. At the MSI 2017, which took place in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the team reached the finals before falling to SK Telecom T1. However, BrokenBlade feels that past results do not carry much weight for the current roster, viewing the tournament as a fresh start for the team.
“In our team, we have this saying, let’s not go into a game or practice or anything with expectations,” he said. Instead, the team’s focus remains on improving and performing each day of the event. “We’re going to be playing our best we can every single day. And if that ends up lifting the trophy, then that’s what I can tell you.”
For BrokenBlade, that approach ties back to the mentality he believes every player must adopt on the international stage. If a team hopes to defeat the world’s best, it must first believe it can.
