FC Schalke 04 Qualify for LEC Playoffs Following Incredible Run

With the odds having been fiercely against them just weeks ago when they had a 1-10 win-loss record, FC Schalke 04 pulled off the unthinkable in qualifying for the LEC League of Legends Playoffs over the weekend. Eventually finishing in sixth position, Schalke overcame Fnatic, Team Vitality, Mad Lions and Origen, results that were certainly not predicted beforehand.

The German team perhaps headed into the eight and final week of the event more in hope than expectation, however having beaten defending champions G2 Esports, Misfits and Excel previously, confidence was clear for all to see. Having been major underdogs to reach the playoffs, even three victories for Schalke would not guarantee them a Playoff spot, with other results having also gone in their favour.

Agony for UK-Based Team Excel

Their 1-10 record moved to 8-10 following a run of seven straight victories, something which is almost unheard of at this level of competition. However, it was heartbreak for UK team Excel, who were eliminated following a loss to G2, having previously been firm favourites to finish inside the top 6 following a win over Origen on Friday. It would have been the first time in their history should Excel have secured an LEC Playoff spot, however they will now have to return next year.

The British organisation actually finished level on points with Schalke, however it was the latter which prevailed, thanks to their outstanding displays in the second half of the campaign. However, they demonstrated a resilience not seen before, with some top results meaning that it was their best split in their history.

Who Will Join FC Schalke 04 at the LEC Playoffs?

Now that the dust has settled from the weekend’s action, we now know that Rouge, Mad Lions, G2 Esports, SK Gaming and Fnatic will join Schalke in the field for the LEC Playoffs, with teams finishing in the top four places here guaranteeing their spot at the World Championship later this year. Should Schalke go on to qualify for this event, it would complete one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Esports history, having shown little sign of such pedigree during their much maligned 1-10 run.

It comes as little surprise that Mad Lions and Rogue currently sit as the favourites from Europe, while G2 Esports will go into the tournament as the reigning champions. G2 have seven European Championship successes to their name already, meaning that they sit level with Fnatic for the greatest number of titles.

The World’s will take place in Shanghai between September and October this year, with FunPlus Phoenix entering the tournament as the defending champions, having defeated G2 in the final some 11 months ago. A European team has not won the title since the competition’s inaugural year in 2011, with Asian teams having dominated since then. Other contenders will come from the LPL, LCK, LCS, PCS and VCS, along with four other teams.