On Thursday, Los Ratones officially qualified for the EMEA Masters Summer Split after their win over NORD Esports in the Upper Bracket Semifinals. For now, they’ve secured a spot in the Last Chance Qualifier, but a victory against Rich Gang Esports in the Upper Bracket Final would lock them into the Main Event and guarantee a spot in the NLC Grand Final.

Los Ratones are the reigning NLC champions from both Winter and Spring, as well as back-to-back EMEA Masters titleholders, putting them in prime position to complete the "ERL golden road"—an achievement no other team has ever pulled off. They’re now just two BO3s away from another NLC title. During the seeding phase, Marc "Caedrel" Lamont’s team defeated Verdant, Bulldog Esports, DMG Esports, and Lundqvist Lightside. They then clean-swept KAOS e-sport and edged out NORD Esports 2-1.

Doubts about their participation

Despite having qualified, Los Ratones may not attend the competition, as discussed by Caedrel and the team’s support Martin "Rekkles" Larsson during a stream. The EMEA Masters schedule overlaps with Worlds 2025, held from October 14 to November 9 in China. The pair mentioned the possibility of traveling to China to scrim top teams and face players like Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon, rather than competing in a third consecutive EMEA Masters. The opportunity to train against the world’s best is simply too valuable to pass up.

As for the rest of the NLC, Rich Gang have also secured a spot in the EMEA Masters Last Chance Qualifier following their win over Verdant. Bulldog Esports vs. Lundqvist Lightside and Venomcrest vs. DMG Esports will face off in the Lower Bracket to determine who advances to the Quarterfinals and keeps their hopes alive for a potential EMEA Masters qualification, as the NLC has three available slots for the tournament.