Misfits Academy and Fnatic Academy have won their respective matches in the European Challenger Series Spring Split finals to give them a shot at reaching the pinnacle, the EU LCS for the Summer Split 2017.
Misfits Academy caused the upset of the season so far by taking down presumptive winners Schalke 04 in their series 3-1.
Schalke 04 were the overwhelming favourites heading into the match, after going an undefeated 10-0 in the regular season, but failed to deliver in the post-season when it counted. After the German soccer giant committed to trying to return to the LCS following relegation, their continued involvement in organised League of Legends must now be in doubt.
Fnatic Academy would face a tougher matchup with Paris Saint-Germain. Bora “Yellowstar” Kim faced the daunting task of coaching his team, so hyped at the start of the split, against his former employers but it was not meant to be.
FNA were forced to a full five game matchup and finally grinding out the win with strong Akali plays in the toplane to claim the second place in the promotion tournament.
The two academy teams teams face a matchup against one of the bottom teams of the EU LCS, Origen or Giants Gaming, in the EU LCS Promotion Tournament, for a chance to move into the top tier competition next split. If either team wins promotion and knocks out Origen or Giants, the organisation will of course be forced to sell the spot—as they cannot have two teams in the league.
Schalke 04 and Paris Saint-Germain will be two of the six teams in the EU CS Summer Split alongside the losers of the promotion tournament and will be looking to try again to reach the EU LCS in 2018, unless either decides to sell their spot.
