After the LFL (France) and the Superliga (Spain), the Prime League now knows the two teams set to represent Germany at the inaugural EMEA Masters of the year (March 17-23). After defeating Austrian Force on Monday and Dung Dynasty—the team led by Muhammed "Agurin" Kocak—on Tuesday, BIG and E WIE EINFACH have earned their place in the grand final of the Winter Split (March 8, 6 PM CET). By advancing to this stage of the competition, both clubs have also secured their league’s two available slots for the European tournament.

A BIG comeback

As a reminder, the LFL, Superliga, and Prime League are the only three ERLs granted two slots for this winter’s EMEA Masters, a privilege earned through strong performances over the past two seasons. In Germany, Eintracht Spandau’s triumph in Spring 2024 played a key role in securing the Prime League's standing within the top three ERLs, ahead of TCL (Turkey), for instance. Unicorns of Love Sexy Edition also reached the final in Spring 2023, though they ultimately fell to Istanbul Wildcats, a representative of the Turkish league. Additionally, the now-disbanded SK Gaming academy reached the quarter-finals twice and the semi-finals once across the last two seasons.

For BIG, this qualification marks a long-awaited return to prominence on the ERL stage. Victors of the EM Summer 2019, the organization was a serious contender for the title in both editions in 2021, fielding players such as Steven “Reeker” Chen and Tim “Keduii” Willers. That year, BIG clinched both domestic championships but ultimately fell short in the European Masters, where Karmine Corp emerged victorious on both occasions. Over the next three years, BIG faded from the European spotlight, failing to qualify for a single EMEA Masters between 2022 and 2024.

Already a Success

This time, however, BIG will enter the EM with renewed confidence. The team remained undefeated in the Prime League ahead of the final. With a roster boasting two LEC players —Oliver "Dajor" Ryppa and Dino "LIMIT" To—BIG dominated the group stage, winning all four of its matches to top Group A. Securing a direct spot in the semi-finals, they convincingly swept Austrian Force 3-0 on Monday.

E WIE EINFACH competed in the same group as BIG before the playoffs. In their first encounter of the season, EWI fell 1-2 to their future final opponents, ultimately finishing second in Group A and advancing to the quarter-finals. While their 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt was a hard-fought battle, their semi-final against Dung Dynasty was a far more one-sided affair, ending in a clean 3-0 sweep.

Despite the experience of certain players—such as topside duo Felix “Rocklho” Ho and Adrian “Afroboi” Kaymer—none of EWI’s roster members had ever participated in an EMEA Masters. Nor had the organization itself ever had the opportunity to compete in the event. Regardless of the outcome this Saturday against BIG, EWI has already made history, and their split can be deemed an unquestionable success.