LoL - LEC: Karmine Corp crushes 3-1 Team Heretics and joins Fnatic in the next round

Karmine Corp survives the trap match against Team Heretics. The Blue Wall advances in the lower bracket of the LEC Spring Split playoffs after its 3-1 victory, logically eliminating the Spanish squad, who nonetheless managed to cause some uncertainty in the first two games. Heretics are now out of the Split, finishing in 6th place — a notable improvement from their 8th-place finish in the Winter Split.

Karmine Corp finds reassurance in this win. While they dropped Game 2, they bounced back with a slow, methodical Game 3 that ended abruptly with a decisive teamfight, followed by a clean stomp in Game 4. Overall, the difference in the toplane once again made a clear impact. Even though he didn’t receive the Regular Season MVP title — unlike Elias "Upset" Lipp — Kim "Canna" Chang-dong's contribution was undeniable.

They won without really breaking a sweat, yet also without showcasing the same dominance they displayed at the end of the Winter Split. Questions still linger, and they’ll need to answer them against Fnatic this Monday. A Top 4 finish is no longer enough for Karmine Corp’s ambitions — someone has to go home tomorrow.

We often talk about rivalries like KOI/KC or G2/FNC, but this top four of the LEC could be the start of new rivalries forming among them. This specific clash didn't hold much meaning last year due to KC’s struggles throughout 2024, but in 2025, the playing field has evened out. Fnatic came out ahead in all of their confrontations during regular seasons, but they were knocked out by KC in the most important best-of-five of the Winter Split, losing 3-2 and finishing third.

This match isn’t just about survival in the LEC — it’s also about pride: the old guard versus the new wave of European League of Legends. Doubts surround both teams, and they haven’t quite met expectations. But perhaps this faceoff will spark something in these players. One thing’s for sure: each of the ten players has proven they can deliver when it matters most. But if there is one player who might be hungrier than the others, it is Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert, who has not been as flashy as earlier this year. Now would be the perfect time to shine and prove they can be a stronger botlane than Fnatic's.

The match kicks off this Monday at 5 PM at Riot Games' Berlin studio. One titan will fall, and the other will move on to face Movistar KOI in the loser’s bracket final during the final weekend of the split.