MGG / Video Games Articles and stories / League of Legends (LoL) /

League of Legends: Gilius back in Schalke 04 Esports for 2021

League of Legends: Gilius back in Schalke 04 Esports for 2021
0

Berk "Gilius" Demir is returning to Schalke 04 Esports for the 2021 season, extending his stay in the LEC squad for one more year. The team announced the news of his re-signing via social media.

League of Legends: Gilius back in Schalke 04 Esports for 2021

Image credit: LoL Esports

Jungler Berk "Gilius" Demir is returning to Schalke 04 Esports' League of Legends European Championship (LEC) roster for the 2021 season. The team announced the news on their social media accounts, ending the player's free agency before it started.

The deal, set to last for the 2021 season, allows Gilius to rejoin the lineup and reunite with mid laner Felix "Abbedagge" Braun and head coach Dylan Falco in their attempt to qualify to the World Championship. The group fell short of Worlds qualification this year as they lost to MAD Lions in the fourth seed deciding match 3-1, but their fight on the way was meritorious.

Gilius and Schalke 04 Esports emerge from a 2020 campaign where, although they failed to make it to the 2020 World Championship, they made a lasting mark in Europe as they recovered from a 1:10 record to 8:10. Their influence on the rankings on their way to qualifying to the LEC summer playoffs was undeniable.

As they completed their miracle run from dead last to playoff contender (dubbed #S04MiracleRun on Twitter), they pulled ahead of Origen and Misfits Gaming, then beat Team Vitality and Excel Esports to the final available playoff spot in a Week 9 thriller. By beating MAD Lions in their final regular season game, they also ensured that Rogue claimed a direct Worlds seed. In addition, they forced Fnatic in an awkward do-or-die position before the end of the season, with Fnatic owing their playoff (and Worlds) qualification to a 2-0 final week with victories over Excel Esports and SK Gaming.

Although Schalke 04's resurgence was a team effort, Gilius was the spark that ignited it as his positive attitude allowed his teammates to recover morale, and as his constant duo queues with mid laner Abbedagge allowed the latter to flourish during LEC games as much as he did during scrims - to the extent that G2's AD carry, Luka "Perkz" Perković, labeled him 'Fakerdagge' during a broadcast interview.

The current whereabouts of top laner Andrei "Odoamne" Pascu, AD carry Matúš "Neon" Jakubčík and support Han "Dreams" Min-kook are currently unknown, but Schalke 04 would be hard-pressed to either re-sign the players or find fitting upgrades at their positions. In the current market, where Odoamne's services would be in high demand following Barney "Alphari" Morris's rumored departure to Team Liquid, that could prove difficult should matters escalate into a bidding war.

0
Adel Chouadria
Adel Chouadria

Freelance esports writer in Europe with eight years of LEC coverage experience. Also a 90's NY Knicks fan, sneakerhead, and wrestling fan. Cake is #1.

More Stories

08:09 LoL: This champion has been dominating soloQ for months and it's not about to stop!
08:05 MOBA's Most Hated Champion Is Also Infuriating TFT Players
10:07 LoL: When does season 13 start?
10:01 K'Santé, the first problem that Riot Games will have to solve in 2023
09:53 What is the best-designed champion? The community has the answer!
09:50 Azir support, the new pick that is all the rage in China
09:50 LoL: Which champions received the most skins in 2022?
10:53 LoL: Would the solution to improve the meta be to remove the nerves on the anti-heal?
10:52 LoL: The patch schedule for season 13
10:52 LoL: The pentakill of the champion who is least likely to do so

Recommended

The best champions for Patch 11.16
League of Legends 2021 World Championship Finals venue and date announced
LoL: 7 questions about Akshan answered by the developers

Discover guides

LoL Guide, Build: Glacial Augment and Electrocute Ahri, Mid, S10
How to Sona Support in S10
League of Legends Transfer Window — From LCK to LPL, Khan joins FPX