The real competition is set to begin in this spring edition of the EMEA Masters. With the group stage officially wrapped up on Thursday, eight teams have punched their tickets to the knockout rounds: ULF Esports (TCL #3), Gentle Mates (LFL #3), ZennIT (RoL #1), eSuba (Hipoint Masters #2), Los Heretics (SL #2), Los Ratones (NLC #1), Zero Tenacity (RL #1), and Fajnie Mieć Skład (RL #2).

The tournament came perilously close to losing its reigning champion, as Los Ratones dropped their opening game against Kaufland Hangry Knights (PRM #3), placing themselves in a do-or-die situation. However, Martin “Rekkles” Larsson and his teammates managed to recover and will now face fellow NLC representative, NORD Esports, in the playoff round of 16.

Another disappointment for Geekay

Had they been eliminated, Los Ratones would have undoubtedly produced the biggest shock of the evening. However, that distinction ultimately belongs to Geekay Esports. The Arabian League champions—considered serious contenders for a top-four finish—were eliminated in the Decider Match by ZennIT. The reigning Road of Legends champions now advance to the playoffs for the second consecutive time, suggesting that what once appeared a surprise run during the Winter split may, in fact, be indicative of their true level.

For Geekay, this disappointment only compounds the frustrations of previous EMEA showings. Since reaching the semifinals in Spring 2024, the AL's top seed has consistently failed to meet expectations. Geekay is, in fact, the only team from the top ten in our Power Rankings that will not be advancing to the playoffs.

Los Heretics Recover

Elsewhere, Los Heretics managed to take revenge against BIG. The former Spanish champions, Superliga's third seed, had fallen to the Prime League finalists in the opening round of Group E. The LEC academy team dropped the first game once more but rebounded strongly to take the next two and secure the series. This victory means that all Spanish representatives have now advanced to the playoffs—a perfect record for the Superliga.

The same is true for the NLC, TCL, and LFL, thanks to the respective victories of Los Ratones, ULF, and Gentle Mates. The Polish league, Rift Legends, becomes the fifth ERL to qualify all its teams, as Z10 defeated GnG Amazigh and Fajnie Mieć Skład overcame Partizan Sangal.

The EMEA Masters playoffs will kick off on Wednesday with two fixtures: Misa Esports (TCL #2) versus eSuba, and BK ROG Esports (LFL #1) against FMS. Notably, all three Turkish teams are grouped on one side of the bracket, while the three Spanish squads find themselves on the opposite side.

After a group stage played entirely in best-of-threes, the playoffs will transition to a single-elimination bracket with all matches played in best-of-five format, maintaining the Fearless Draft system. The next EMEA Masters champion will be crowned on June 21.