LoL - EMEA Masters Playoffs: Heretics and Ratones advance, Vitality.Bee and Gentle Mates out

The EMEA Masters Summer Round of 16 has come to an end, leaving only eight teams still in the running for the title — and a place in the LEC Winter 2026 split alongside Los Ratones. The double reigning champions have finally hit their stride in the tournament, once again proving they’re a completely different beast when the format moves beyond best-of-ones.

Both Los Ratones and Los Heretics barely advanced through the Swiss Stage with 4–3 records, but they drastically raised their level to sweep two of the remaining undefeated teams, Vitality.Bee and Berlin International Gaming, with dominant 3–0 victories.

For the LFL, the round was rough as Gentle Mates’ also got eliminated. Considered favorites against ROSSMAN Centaurs, they ultimately fell 1–3 in a disappointing series. Galions, meanwhile, came dangerously close to the same fate. Down 1–2 in a tense series, they managed to turn things around and silence the Spanish crowd, notably thanks to Théo "Zoelys" Le Scornec’s incredible Blitzcrank performance in Game 5.

The quarterfinals now promise thrilling matchups across the board. Set to take place from Thursday, October 16 — parallel to the Worlds 2025 Swiss Stage — the EMEA Masters story could well become the story of ROSS. The Prime League’s third seed remains the last German representative standing, and they now face Los Heretics, who just eliminated Germany’s defending champions.

Meanwhile, William “UNF0RGIVEN” Nieminen’s Geekay Esports, who easily dispatched Superliga’s fourth seed in the previous round, will take on Unicorns of Love Sexy Edition. The Unicorns have a habit of taking down top seeds, but the Arabian League champions remain clear favorites and could equal their best-ever EMEA Masters finish — a semifinal appearance like in Spring 2024.

Friday’s matches offer the most uncertain and high-stakes battles of the bracket. Los Ratones are set to face the Galions, fresh off their narrow survival against Barça. Both rosters are loaded with talent, making this a potential "final before the final." The winner will move on to face whoever emerges from another high-profile clash: LFL champions Karmine Corp Blue, who have been in top form, will meet MISA Esports, comfortable winners over the Forsaken — and the very team that toppled Los Ratones during the Swiss Stage.