The UK’s Fnatic Rising crashed out of the League of Legends European Masters this afternoon after a disappointing 2-0 semi-final loss to Germany’s SK Gaming Prime.
The match took place after France’s Misfits Premier beat Spain’s Mad Lions 2-0 in the first best-of-three of the day.
Game one
Fnatic
- Top: Shikari – Ornn
- Jungle: Dan – Olaf
- Mid: MagiFelix – Akali
- ADC: xMatty – Vayne
- Support: Targamas – Galio
SK
- Top: Sacre – Swain
- Jungle: Phrenic – Jarvan
- Mid: Jenax – Jayce
- ADC: Keduii – Ezreal
- Support: Doss – Tahm Kench
While Dan claimed first blood for Fnatic in the top lane, it was SK that looked the more confident side in the early game – and for the remainder of the game.
SK secured two ocean drakes and all their players put in a good stint to control the game and pick up kills.
Fnatic did manage to get the herald but were shut out for large parts of the game. xMatty was unable to get ahead as Vayne and with no turrets destroyed at almost the 30-minute mark, Fnatic’s objective focus was rather woeful.
SK easily took game one with a 56k to 44k gold lead after winning a team fight mid, taking the game with a 12-5 kill lead.
In game two, the draft surprisingly remained very similar for Fnatic, and the casters and fans did not seem confident of Fnatic winning.
Game two
Fnatic
- Top: Shikari – Kennen
- Jungle: Dan – Olaf
- Mid: MagiFelix – Akali
- ADC: xMatty – Lucian
- Support: Targamas – Braum
SK
- Top: Sacre – Ryze
- Jungle: Phrenic – Jarvan
- Mid: Jenax – Jayce
- ADC: Keduii – Ezreal
- Support: Doss – Rakan
Surprisingly, the picks in game two were very similar to the first game, with Dan, MagiFelix, Phrenic, Jenax and Keduii selecting the same champions as before.
It was a shame not to see Fnatic go for some other picks in game two and shake things up, especially for Dan and MagiFelix who can make a huge impact if they snowball early.
But this was not a repeat of game one. Fnatic started off much better, picking up some early kills, turrets and drakes, with Dan going 3/0 as Olaf early on.
However, SK dug in, farmed up and positioned well as a unit to come back into the game.
As we entered the late game, it was clear this match was going to swing on a baron or elder drake play, and that proved to be the case.
Fnatic turned around a team fight at 30 minutes, killing four SK players then taking the mountain drake afterwards. Then at 34 minutes, they took the baron, and one minute later, the elder drake.
Things were looking good for Fnatic. Dan was 5/0/4 at this point and the team had momentum. But they failed to make good enough use of their buffs, and at 48 minutes they lost the game.
SK won a team fight at baron, but with death timers so high, they ignored the baron to storm into Fnatic’s base and take the game.
SK ended with 89k gold to Fnatic’s 85k, and 18 kills to Fnatic’s 20.
It was another disappointment for the UK scene, which has consistently failed to perform well on the European knockout stage.
What makes it worse is England losing to Germany has echoes of the Euro 96 football defeat – and losing to a team all wearing some ridiculous pink shoes… (okay, we admit it, we’re sulking okay)!
We can feel proud of our journey here, about showing what UK LoL can be! ??@ShikariLoL, @FNC_Dan, @FNC_MagiFelix, @xMattyyLoL, @Prosfair, @Targamas, @jandrofvp, @FNC_Dragon, @garkilol – you guys even made a @G2esports fan cheer! #EUMasters#FNATICRISING pic.twitter.com/sTI1CMVVtn
— FNATIC (@FNATIC) April 27, 2019
We lose 2-0 vs @SKGaming. This loss is on me, I didnt adapt throughout the tournament and just stayed in my comfort zone and let my team down because of it. Gg wp @ercasacre gl in finals
— Shikari (@ShikariLoL) April 27, 2019
Feels bad to lose, especially while not playing well myself. WP to @SKGaming academy who deserved the win. Time to chill and reflect on the split as a whole as there’s alot that I can learn. We’ll be back stronger next split. #FnaticRising
— FNC xMatty (@xMattyyLoL) April 27, 2019
Last 2 weeks have been tough emotionally, not getting to play in EUM, but I believe negative experiences always turn out for the best if you learn from them. Couldn’t have asked for a better teacher than Targamas and I will be back next split to show i’m the best non LEC support.
— Prosfair (@Prosfair) April 27, 2019
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
