Los Ratones has defeated Kaufland Hangry Knights to proceed to the Knockout Stage at EMEA Masters 2025 Spring.
They’ll face Nord Esports in the first round, in a rematch of the Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC) Spring Finals.
The team qualified for the Knockout Stage through the Loser’s Bracket after being defeated by the Spanish team, Barça eSports.
Los Ratones persevere at EMEA Masters
EMEA Masters started out strong for Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont’s team after defeating the German Kaufland Hangry Knights.
After taking a comfortable 2-0 series, the team would then face the Spanish team, Barça eSports, which is supported by the famous football club FC Barcelona.
The first seed from Spain’s Superliga soon proved to be more than a match for Los Ratones, sending them into the losers’ bracket for their group.
In their last chance to qualify for the Knockout Stage, Los Ratones would once again face Kaufland Hangry Knights.
Not to repeat their last matchup, Kaufland Hangry Knights came out swinging to take the first game.
Despite the early series lead, Los Ratones managed to claw it back to take the series, 2-1.
The victory allowed them to qualify for the Knockout Stage, where they would see a familiar name.
Los Ratones vs Nord Esports
In the first round of the Knockout Stage, Los Ratones will face Nord Esports for the second time in two weeks.
Last time, Los Ratones defeated Nord Esports in a close yet swift 3-0 series.
The match is set to be a re-run of the NLC Spring Finals with yet another best-of-five between the two.
However, this time there will be no fearless draft, meaning that teams will be limited in their champion drafts.
This time, their EMEA Masters campaigns are on the line, with the losing team being sent home.
This departure from a double elimination bracket may prove to be challenging to Los Ratones, who have relied upon them in both NLC Spring and now EMEA Masters.
Their match kicks off at 4pm on Thursday, June 12th.
EMEA Masters Recap
EMEA Masters Spring builds on the previous Winter season, where Los Ratones took the title and became the first UK team to do so.
This time for the Spring season, they removed fearless draft, reasoning that “drafting will be consistent throughout.”
To supplement this, the tournament has doubled in size with a total of 32 teams competing for the title.
Fellow NLC team and now opponents, Nord Esports, had a smooth experience throughout the tournament so far.
They won each of their matches 2-0 to quickly proceed into the Knockout Stage.
Meanwhile, British-Spanish esports organisation, GiantX, also found success in qualifying for the Knockout Stage.
They’ll face the French organisation of Gentle Mates, known for competing in the Valorant Champions Tour EMEA.
Meanwhile, other British players have also qualified for the Knockout Stage.
The support for eSuba, Gary ‘FGG’ Clarke, will face the Turkish team Misa Esports.
With British AD Carry player, Lim ‘ToongE’ Ho-seon, alongside BoostGate Esports, facing ULF Esports.
EMEA Masters Spring continues tomorrow from 4pm as FGG with eSuba will look to continue throughout the bracket.
