TL;DR
- Rekkles could become fourth LEC champion to win EU Masters after career reset
- YellOwStaR, Froggen, and Expect previously achieved this rare dual-championship feat
- Karmine Corp faces LDLC OL in best-of-five finals for third consecutive EU Masters title
- The achievement validates player skills through different competitive tiers
- Success requires adapting playstyles between major and regional league environments
Veteran marksman Martin “Rekkles” Larsson stands at the brink of joining an exclusive club in European League of Legends. Following his advancement to the 2022 Spring EU Masters finals with French powerhouse Karmine Corp, the Swedish superstar could become just the fourth competitor to capture both LEC championship honors and European Masters trophy recognition.
Having secured four LEC titles exclusively during his tenures with Fnatic, Rekkles made a strategic decision to recalibrate his competitive journey after a challenging 2021 season with G2 Esports. During that difficult period, the organization failed to qualify for the World Championship, prompting his transition to regional competition with Karmine Corp while the team underwent substantial roster reconstruction.
KCorp earned their tournament berth through a third-place standing in France’s competitive LFL circuit. Their path to the championship series included victories over formidable opponents like X7 Esports, Unicorns of Love Sexy Edition, and domestic adversaries Vitality.Bee. Now positioned between the French squad and a potential third straight EU Masters crown stands LDLC OL, the LFL’s top-seeded representative.
LDLC brings considerable EU Masters experience to the table, having previously claimed the championship during Spring 2020. Their triumphant roster featured legendary ex-Fnatic support Bora “YellOwStaR” Kim, who boasts multiple domestic championship credentials including his 2020 EU Masters victory with LDLC.
Road to Amazon #EUMasters Finals: @KarmineCorp vs @LDLC_OL! pic.twitter.com/NFN0zrsUMp
— EMEA Masters (@EMEAmasters) May 6, 2022
YellOwStaR secured his position as the third professional to become a European Masters champion after previously earning EU LCS or LEC championship status. The initial two athletes to accomplish this distinctive achievement did so during the inaugural EUM tournament in Spring 2018, with Henrik “Froggen” Hansen and Ki “Expect” Dae-han pioneering the path.
Both pioneering players formed part of a talent-rich Origen lineup constructed to restore the organization’s competitive standing following prior relegation. The composition featured European stalwarts including Konstantinos-Napoleon “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou and Jesse “Jesiz” Le alongside Korean icon Choi “inSec” In-seok. Notably, inSec had previously captured LPL championship honors with Royal Never Give Up.
Top lane specialist Expect contributed to a dominant G2 Esports squad, securing three consecutive championship titles while also achieving second place at MSI 2016. Froggen rounded out the roster, with the renowned “Anivia Kid” contributing his singular EU LCS championship from his Alliance tenure in 2014. Froggen’s Alliance squad remained the solitary team beyond G2 or Fnatic to claim a European split championship from 2013 through 2020, a streak ultimately broken by MAD Lions’ consecutive titles last competitive season.
Rekkles now possesses the opportunity to become the newest competitor to complete this exceptional accomplishment, a trajectory most professionals would typically prefer to follow in reverse sequence yet still serves to authenticate the Swedish marksman’s status as a premier ADC in Europe’s competitive landscape.
To defend their championship, Karmine Corp must overcome LDLC through a best-of-five confrontation scheduled to commence at 17:00 CEST on Saturday, May 7.
Strategic Considerations for Regional League Success:
Transitioning from premier to regional competition demands significant adaptation in playstyle, communication dynamics, and strategic approach. Players often discover that regional leagues provide valuable opportunities to refine mechanics, develop leadership capabilities, and experiment with innovative strategies that might be riskier in top-tier competition.
Common pitfalls include underestimating regional opponents, struggling with reduced resources, and difficulty adjusting to different team cultures. Successful transitions typically involve maintaining professional discipline, embracing mentorship roles, and focusing on long-term development rather than immediate results.
Action Checklist
- Analyze regional league meta differences compared to LEC
- Develop adaptable playstyle for best-of-five series format
- Study opponent team patterns from previous EU Masters tournaments
- Implement communication systems for mixed-experience rosters
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » If KCorp wins, Rekkles becomes 3rd ex-LEC champ to win EUM Rekkles joins elite group of LEC champions pursuing EU Masters glory in competitive League of Legends