TL;DR
- Schalke 04 concluded their LEC journey with a 3-15 record, finishing 10th in their final split
- The organization’s peak was 2018 EU LCS Summer Finals, but they never qualified for international tournaments
- Final roster featured promising young talent including Broken Blade and Nuclearint
- Team BDS will replace Schalke 04 in the LEC with expected roster overhaul
- Strategic draft choices in final match highlighted team’s innovative approach despite loss

August 1, 2021, marked a significant turning point in European esports history as FC Schalke 04 competed in their concluding professional League of Legends match. This moment represented more than just another competitive fixture—it signaled the culmination of the organization’s systematic departure from professional gaming.
In a poetic conclusion to their competitive journey, Schalke faced their historic rivals Fnatic in what became an emotionally charged final encounter. Despite displaying remarkable resilience throughout the game, Schalke ultimately fell to Fnatic, cementing their final split standing at 10th position with a challenging 3-15 record. This outcome finalized the organization’s competitive presence in League of Legends, with their franchise slot officially transitioning to Team BDS during the upcoming offseason.
.@FNATIC win their final match against @S04Esports! #LEC pic.twitter.com/q2nubOsRt7
— LEC (@LEC) August 1, 2021
Schalke’s strategic approach in their farewell match demonstrated innovative thinking, selecting recently enhanced champions including Dr. Mundo for jungle control and Xayah for bottom lane scaling potential. Fnatic countered with aggressive lane-dominant picks: Lucian in mid lane for early pressure and Tristana to counter Xayah’s late-game potential.
The match intensity escalated immediately from the opening moments, with both teams engaging in frequent skirmishes. However, Schalke struggled to establish early game control, facing a substantial 5,000 gold deficit by the 15-minute mark. While Schalke managed to secure significant farming advantages in the top lane, Fnatic’s carry players demonstrated superior teamfighting execution that proved insurmountable.
Schalke 04 leaves LEC after years of mixed results
Throughout FC Schalke 04’s competitive tenure across both LEC and its predecessor EU LCS, the organization achieved finals appearance on only one occasion. Their remarkable 2018 EU LCS Summer Split campaign saw them defy expectations with an unexpected surge to the championship match. Featuring standout performers including Elias “Upset” Lipp and Kiss “Vizicsacsi” Tamás, the squad ultimately fell 3-1 to Fnatic in the finals. Notably, the organization never secured qualification for any international League of Legends tournaments throughout their competitive history.
Following their singular finals achievement, FC Schalke 04 experienced inconsistent competitive results, yet appropriately concluded their journey facing the identical opponent they encountered during their competitive peak.
Team BDS has been confirmed as Schalke’s replacement in the LEC for the upcoming season, with comprehensive roster reconstruction anticipated.
After today, our #LEC journey sadly comes to an end. We want to thank our amazing fans for their support throughout the last years. We will miss you a lot. Let’s go for one last dance. pic.twitter.com/ICxk5UReNX
— Schalke 04 Esports (@S04Esports) August 1, 2021
Who played for Schalke 04 in the LEC?
Schalke’s concluding roster configuration showcased considerable player potential despite underwhelming competitive results on Summoner’s Rift. While incorporating some veteran presence, the organization’s primary strategic focus centered on developing emerging talent theoretically positioned for long-term organizational growth.
The Schalke 04 LEC roster was:
- Top – Sergen “Broken Blade” Çelik
- Jungle – Thomas “Kirei” Yuen
- Mid – Ilias “NUCLEARINT” Bizriken
- Bot – Matúš “Neon” Jakubčík
- Support – Dino “LIMIT” Tot
For teams transitioning into new competitive environments, understanding roster construction philosophy becomes critical. Our BF6 Class Selection Guide provides valuable insights into strategic team composition principles that transcend specific games.
Common strategic missteps in roster development include over-reliance on veteran players without adequate succession planning, or conversely, excessive focus on youth development without sufficient veteran leadership. Successful organizations typically balance experienced players who provide in-game stability with promising newcomers offering long-term growth potential.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team draft patterns across multiple matches to identify strategic tendencies
- Evaluate roster age distribution and experience levels to understand development philosophy
- Review organizational competitive history to identify performance patterns and peak periods
- Compare final season performance against historical results to assess decline or improvement trajectories
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » FC Schalke 04 finishes its final LEC split in last place Schalke 04's final LEC journey ends with legacy analysis and roster insights for esports fans
