EMEA Masters Semis: LR – BKR and BAR – KCB

For the moment, the script is being respected. No upset like in Winter – with a mad run by an unexpected underdog such as TP – this time it’s the teams predicted to be the best in the ERLs who will be in the final four of the EMEA Masters Spring. Or at least almost, since many observers expected the TCL (Turkish League) to be far more competitive, with Misa (TCL #2) and Boostgate (TCL #1) leading the way. However, both teams were eliminated in the quarterfinals, and their executioners, BK ROG (LFL #1) and Los Ratones (NLC #1), will meet this Wednesday (5pm CEST) for a place in the final. On the other side of the bracket, Karmine Corp Blue (LFL #2) and Barça eSports (SL #1) will face off this Thursday to try and avenge their counterparts Los Heretics (SL #3) and Gentle Mates (LFL #3) – who were respectively knocked out in the previos round.

BK ROG – Los Ratones

These are top-class semifinals and are looking to be a spectacle. Firstly, BK ROG are champions of the most successful ERL league in history, having outclassed Karmine Corp Blue which looked untouchable in the grand final (3-2). They also knocked off Misa, which dominated their region. Two former LCK players in the sololane were generally gapped by Šimon “OMON” Řiháček and Mathias “Szygenda” Jensen. The mid-jungle duo of this team seems to hold the keys to BK ROG’s success in Spring, with Enes “Rhilech” Uçan already establishing himself as one of the best in his role at just 19 years of age and with a solid botlane that knows how to create the difference, especially in teamfight. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rhilech and OMON join the upper tier this summer…

REMEMBER HIS NAME, @Velja_LOL IS YOUR FINALS MVP! 👑 pic.twitter.com/bWfQSiUEj5

— EMEA Masters (@EMEAmasters) March 23, 2025

But they will be up against the team that has won every competition, including the EMEA Masters Winter, Los Ratones. The squad formed by Marc “Caedrel” Lamont looks to have all the cards to complete the Golden Road of ERLs this year, they are just two BO5s away from completing 2/3 of it. And if BKR’s mid/jungle is to be feared, Los Ratones’ also looks more threatening than ever. While Tim “Nemesis” Lipovšek already seemed to be the final boss of Tier 2 EMEA midlaners from the start, Veljko “Velja” Čamdžić has largely raised his game, and keeps doing so when the stakes are at their highest. As a reminder, he had already been voted MVP of the final at the EM Winter; he repeated in the NLC final this split. Again in the quarterfinals, it was he who enabled LR to qualify with an anthological game 5 on his signature Kindred.

Karmine Corp Blue – Barça eSports

KCB may be the second-placed team in the LFL, but they seem to be in such good form that I believe they are favourites to win the tournament. Over two BO5s and two BO3s so far, the Karmine Corp academy team has only lost one game (to Los Heretics, with a very difficult draft to handle). However, since they won the LFL in Winter, every time this team seemed to be dominating the debates, they ended up choking in the final moments of the competitions. As they enter the final four once again, they will need to be vigilant about this factor, particularly with their new jungler Johnny “Yukino” Dang. While he has rolled over his direct opponents so far, he could be affected by a BO5 that doesn’t get off to the right start, given his youth and lack of experience.

3-1 ggs a gentlemates pasamos a las semis del EMEA!!
regalito de montage con ezreal, cabeza. pic.twitter.com/OKS5KaMtG6

— Legolas (@Legolas1v9) June 17, 2025

On the other hand, Barça seem to be drawing their strength from BO5. In the Superliga, the team did not have the greatest success in Bo1 (4th) and Bo3 (4th), but they did manage to win the title through the lower bracket by beating all their opponents in Bo5. Once again, they gave Gentle Mates almost no chance in the quarterfinals (3-1), with much better draft options and some very impressive mechanical outplays. Although Barça are known for their football training centre (La Masia), this year, on the esports side, they seem to have opted for experience with ERL veterans such as Paweł “Czekolad” Szczepanik and Alexandru “whiteinn” Kolozsvari.

That being said, it’s Sergio “Legolas” Vicente who seems to be the sharpest player in this team, and the victories often come down to his performances. Their opponents must be aware of Czekolad’s Azir, as it is often a free win when he can get his hands on it…

My Predictions

I honestly think that the series between BK ROG and LR can go either way. In my opinion, BKR have shown a better overall level of play than Los Ratones, as they are more complete and don’t really have any big exploitable weaknesses. That said, I think LR have a clutch factor and experience that the LFL champions don’t have, and that could be make a difference if a complicated series pushes them to the limit. That’s why I think that if BKR were to win, it would be by a fairly wide margin, but I’m expecting more of a 3-2 victory for the Rats.

As for KCB against Barça, I don’t think the Blaugrana have the resources to overcome KCB in their current form. So I see a 3-1 win for the Blue Wall, but like I said, watch out for the choke factor… If my predictions are correct, Yukino will be able to fulfil the desire he expressed in our interview a few months ago, to face LR in the Grand Final of the EMEA Masters.