Look Sports Media – Los Ratones, the titans of the EMEA Masters circuit, have narrowly avoided an early exit and secured a spot in the top 16 of the League of Legends EMEA Masters Summer finals. Their journey, however, has been anything but smooth, igniting debates about LEC expansion and potential favoritism.
The two-time defending champions entered the tournament as overwhelming favorites, but found themselves on the brink of elimination after a series of setbacks in the Swiss Stages. Defeats against Misa Esports, Galions, and a loss to Barça eSports put their treble hopes in serious jeopardy. A do-or-die match against StormMedia Fajnie Mieć Skład stood between them and the knockout stage.
Despite securing a 2-0 victory, the series was far from a walk in the park. The first game stretched to a grueling 50 minutes, a tense back-and-forth affair that could have swung either way. A critical misstep by JuÅ¡ ‘Crownie’ MaruÅ¡iÄ, caught out in the mid-lane, threatened to derail their efforts. However, Los Ratones showcased their resilience, executing a decisive team fight to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
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The second match proved to be a more convincing display for the three-time NLC champions. A dominant early game performance, spearheaded by Tim ‘Nemesis’ Lipovšek who amassed a significant 3k gold lead over his mid-lane opponent within 20 minutes, paved the way for a swift sub-30-minute win.
Now, Los Ratones enter the high-stakes Knockout Stages, where best-of-five series will determine their fate. One loss will spell elimination, putting immense pressure on the team to perform at their peak.
Beyond the EMEA Masters, Los Ratones have also been at the center of LEC expansion rumors. Reports suggest that Riot Games is considering including Los Ratones in the LEC 2026 Winter Split, expanding the competition to 12 teams with two ERL invites. As the most consistent team with two EMEA Masters titles already this year, Los Ratones are reportedly slated for an invitation. The other invitee would be the EMEA Masters Summer champion, or runner-up if Los Ratones secure another victory.
However, Karmine Corp’s owner has voiced concerns, claiming that Riot has not yet secured approval from the LEC teams for this new format. The LEC’s franchised structure, with teams paying millions for permanent spots, has fueled debate. Some argue that allowing ERL teams to compete, even temporarily, could diminish the value of those LEC spots. Others accuse Riot of favoritism, seeking to capitalize on the popularity of Los Ratones and Caedrel. The situation remains fluid, with potential ramifications for the future of the LEC and the EMEA esports ecosystem.
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