Surprising results from EU promotion.

Last weekend we got our first taste of the LCS that will return to regular season January with the European Spring Split Qualifiers, and some of the Battle of the Atlantic which I’ll talk about after it wraps up next weekend, from the new Riot studio in Cologne. The three relegated LCS teams Meet Your Makers (MYM), SK Gaming, and Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) faced off against their choices of the three Challenger teams Copenhagen Wolves (CW), Supa Hot Crew (SHC), and Kiedyś Miałem Team (KMT) respectively for their spots in the EU LCS. 

Much of the weekend was rather unsurprising. Going in most were calling the first two matches to result in CW beating MYM and SK defeating SHC, and though SK looked shaky for a bit the predictions eventually held true. The real surprise was KMT’s systematic dismantling of the heavily favored NiP. No one called the match going to KMT much less in such a convincing manner as their impressive 3-0 sweep.

Before the weekend NiP was a heavy favorite, heralded as one of the strongest European teams on the 3.14 patch due to their performance in scrims against other teams. Also helping that line of thought was the fact that the NiP organization, in an effort to requalify, had scrapped their original roster and brought in members from several of the top teams in Europe, including three players from the summer split 1st place finishers Lemondogs.

Despite NiP’s best efforts they were simply outmatched at every turn by KMT. From Overpow’s amazing display of skill on Kayle, to Jankos’ ability to keep gank pressure high while still out farming the farm focused Hyrqbot in the jungle. Even the one “losing” lane for KMT, Xaxus top lane, was still doing his job, keeping the turret alive and occupying Zorozero despite a heavy CS deficit.

KMT’s willingness to play patiently and carefully take a lead led them to a victory that surprised and thrilled viewers, as well as earned KMT a spot in the 2014 spring split of the EU LCS. We can only hope things are as exciting when the NA Spring qualifiers play out next weekend from Riot’s new studio in LA.