LoL - LFL: Esprit Shonen dethrone BDS Academy and secures historic LFL spot

A new chapter of the LFL has just been written. BDS Academy, who finished 10th in the league this year, has officially lost its slot after a decisive matchup against Esprit Shonen. The French team triumphed 3-2 in a nail-biting series, claiming their first-ever promotion to the LFL after launching the project two years ago.

Esprit Shonen's rise comes as no surprise. The team dominated in LFL2 throughout the year, winning the Winter Split, finishing second in Spring, and reclaiming the title in Summer. Even after their botlaner Franciszek "HARPOON" Gryszkiewicz and head coach Nikola "xani" Zrinjski departed for Galions in the last split, Esprit Shonen found the resilience to stay at the top and ultimately earn this long-awaited promotion. Just two days prior, they had already beaten BDS Academy 3-1, foreshadowing tonight’s outcome.

The qualification match went all the way to a tense game five. With the series tied 2-2, LFL rules brought a 1v1 tiebreaker to determine side selection. The duel pitted Esprit Shonen’s Toffe against BDS Academy’s Berkant "Avra" Ilhan, both on Lux. Toffe secured the win, granting BDS Academy red side for the final game.

However, game five was anything but straightforward. Multiple technical pauses interrupted the flow, notably involving a Ryze portal bug that reminded fans of a now-infamous Fnatic pause in the LEC years ago. Despite the disruptions, Esprit Shonen managed the pressure better. Their teamfights were sharper, and once Avra's Jinx got fed, the French squad overwhelmed their opponents to close the series 3-2 and claim their place among the elite.

Following this historic victory, Esprit Shonen owner Noah expressed both pride and ambition: “This morning I woke up and told myself: either this is written, or it isn’t. We already have projects lined up. We’re coming to shake things up in the LFL. Whether it’s KC, M8, or Vitality, I want them to look at us and think: what is this madness? We’ll do everything to come in strong.”

This victory is more than just a slot earned. it signals the arrival of a new competitor determined to disrupt the hierarchy of French League of Legends. Following in the footsteps of Ici Japon Corp’s promotion last year, Esprit Shonen continues the trend of Up & Down bringing fresh blood, rivalries, and excitement to the LFL.

Meanwhile, BDSA is logically paying the price for having scaled back its investment in the LFL roster this year. Just a year ago, the organization had won the EMEA Masters Summer Split and promoted almost the entirety of that roster to the LEC, including Rudy "Skewmond" Semaan, now jungler for G2 Esports and a three-time LEC finalist in 2025.

French fans can now look ahead to 2026, where a determined Esprit Shonen will step onto the LFL stage, eager to prove they belong with the very best.