League of Legends Atlas: Sweden

This is the first edition of a new series titled “League of Legends Atlas.” Here, we’ll visit the countries most involved in competitive League of Legends. Each of those countries has numerous teams dedicated to the eSport, and even more teams dedicated to other eSports. So, in the future, there will certainly be a more expansive Lineups eSports Atlas that includes other games. But, for now, let’s explore the Swedish arm of League of Legends.

Sweden has contributed quite a bit to eSports. The majority of its players tend to play in games like Dota 2 and CS:GO, but there have also been a significant number that have participated in League of Legends. Europe’s league, the EU LCS, is the umbrella underwhich all of Sweden’s teams fall. If you’re newer to this multi-billion-dollar industry called eSports, then you might want to check out our eSports Academy. You can an introduction here, and lessons on the popular games of 2019, the best players of all time, and the highest paid players of all time. Swedish players appear in lists like the top players of CS:GO and the top players of Dota 2.

Teams

Alliance

Team Status: INACTIVE
On April 12, 2013 Alex Garfield and Team Razer came together to found this organization: Alliance. This team is well known as one of the best European Dota 2 teams—they even won The International on the year of its creation. Later that year, Alliance formed its first League of Legends team. The members then were Wickd (Top), Shook (Jungle), Froggen (Mid), and Tabzz (Bot). It operated under Manager Jacob “Maelk” Toft-Andersen, with Jordan “Leviathan” Thwaites as Coach. That was until 2015 when Riot’s updated sponsorship rules required Alliance to rebrand to Elements.

On that subject, the sponsors of this team were Monster Energy and GG.Bet. This team first found success at the Battle Of The Atlantic 2013 where it won the European LoL championship 3:2 against the NA LCS—North America’s League. Then, the greatest victory for Alliance happened at the EU LCS Summer 2014. There, Alliance beat Fnatic 3:1 for $50,000. In total, Alliance earned $140,000 in winnings.

Gripen Esport

Team Status: ACTIVE
This team came together this very year. On January 8, 2019 Gripen Esport acquired the roster of Overheat Esports. Kastrullen (Top), LPG (Jungle), ThePoodleHorse (Mid), Knugen (ADC), and Taremo (Support) joined thereafter. The birth of this team has not been the most cheerful one as they have been defeated more times than they have been victorious. Nevertheless, the future looks as hopeful for Gripen Esport as it does for any brand new team.

Lemondogs

Team Status: INACTIVE
Lemondogs began with the acquisition of the Sinners Never Sleep roster on June 12, 2013. However, according to Liquipedia, its original creation is dated to 2004. The initial members at that time were Nukeduck (Mid), Tabzz (ADC), wewillfailer (Support), dexter1 (Jungle), and YamatoCannon (Top). The sponsors of this team are Steelseries, Sverok, Inferno Online Stockhold, and CKRAS.

This time, during its run, earned a total of $95,000 in winnings. The ‘run’ of Lemondogs came to an end when they were prohibited from participating in the 2014 EU LCS Spring Season.

Lightside Gaming

Team Status: ACTIVE
This is another team that was formed recently. On November 14, 2018 Lightside Gaming announced their roster for the Swedish Esports League Season 1. With Why Ward, Cloudz, Greedlife, Westeer, and Jakke13, Lightside Gaming’s LoL team took shape. There haven’t been many notable achievements for this team thus far, but nobody can speak for the future.

Today, the team is composed of Coach Andreas “Westin” Westin, and players Bonobogod (Jungle), Greedlife (Mid), Westeer (ADC), and Jakke (Support). Additionally, Wictrec (Jungle) and TheFlyingCrow (Support) are established substitutes. This team has yet to acquire any sponsorship. Until that happens, Lightside Gaming isn’t something to keep your eye on.

Ninjas in Pyjamas

Team Status: INACTIVE
If you’ve read our article about the History of eSports, then you know just how OG this team is. In June of 2000, Ninjas in Pyjamas was born. It wasn’t until 2013 that Ninjas in Pyjamas came to League of Legends with the signing of the former roster of Copenhagen Wolves. The original members were Bjergsen (Mid), GodBro (Top), Svenskeren (Jungle), TheTess (ADC), and Deficio (Support).

The sponsors of this team were Xtrfy, DXRacer, ASUS ROG, NOCCO, NETGEAR, and Kinguin. That is a substantial list, and the total earnings of this team were substantial at: $85,581. However, this team’s future is non-existent. On October 4, 2018 Ninjas in Pyjamas released their LoL team. Sweden lost a consistent silver medalist; one of its greats.

Nordic Fox Esports

Team Status: ACTIVE
This LoL team had its beginning on January 8, 2019. That line-up included: Raxes (Top), Iövhögen (Jungle), Sägen (Mid), Zpikee (ADC), and EmSang (Support). Sponsored by NTI Gymnasiet Sverige, this team is startings its journey with its chin up. With only $339 in earnings, there is plenty to come, to be earned, and to be done.

Currently, there team consists of all of the original members except for EmSang, who left on February 23, 2019. On March 3, Zuko joined. Nordic Fox Esports’ League of Legends team has performed well through the Swedish Esports League’s second season, earning fourth place in the Division 1 Minor.

Östersunds FK Esports

Team Status: ACTIVE
On November 20, 2018 this team came into being. With Mora as Head Coach and players Kryze, Skeden, Addex, Namex, and Krallex, this LoL team has a decent start. Sponsored by SteelSeries and Adidas, the funds are there for this team to do excellently in the competitions to come. The original Head Coach left early on. Today, Krallex and Ragnar are the leaders of this organization: Head of Esports and Manager, respectively.

Over the course of 2019 so far, many have left this team. Currently, the only active player is Theodor “Shred” (formerly “Skeden”) Nagelkerke on the position of Support. This team’s record with three podium placements and its sponsorship by a company like Adidas almost ensure that talent will drift this way. There is not much to invest in on this team yet, but as players are recruited and signed, something spectacular might come to be.

Team Atlantis

Team Status: ACTIVE
Team Atlantis was founded on February 24, 2018 specifically to participated in the Nordic Championship Swedish qualifier. The original players to join were Zvene (Top), BestKittyCat (Jungle), crossman (Mid), Vardags (ADC), and Touch (Support). Nonetheless, the team failed to qualify and shortly disbanded after that. The organization didn’t give up, though, and on March 5, Team Atlantis got the roster of White Penguins and their spot at the Nordic Championship. The batch of players that arrived then were Zvene (Top), aesthetic (Jungle), Kroghsen (Mid), RafaelVasquez (ADC), and Supportive Lion (Support).

Currently, the team operates under Director Laurynas “Angelas” Brovka. This team is currently without any sponsorship, and stands with a total earnings of $31,944. Similar to other teams, Team Atlantis’ LoL roster has been largely abandoned. The only two remaining active players are Zhiqiang “Shadow” Zhao and Anders “Sharp” Lilleengen, both Junglers. The record of this team is highlighted by two gold medals at Nordic Championships and second place finish at the Fusion.bet Championship.

The Final Tribe

Team Status: INACTIVE
Also similar to some other teams from Sweden, The Final Tribe is an organization known for their Dota 2 team. The LoL branch of this team came around on January 13, 2019. The roster at that time was WeiZor (Top), Raxhy (Jungle), Denzel (Mid), Goose (ADC), and Nightmares (Support). Crane joined as the Team Manager and Rnglol joined as the Head Coach.

The sponsorship for this team consisted of EsportsHP, Precisely, and Swiftcourt. Despite those funds, this team only came away with a total earnings of $2,268. It failed to explode into success at the Nordic Championship Spring 2019, losing 0:2 to NYYRIKKI White and brought home over half of its total earnings. Then, it all ended on the second day of March. All players and staff have since been released.

Valhalla Vikings

Team Status: ACTIVE
This team was first unveiled at the Nordic Championship 2018 Summer Qualifiers. That initial roster was comprised of Quinncidence (Top), Agentas (Jungles), Energy (Mid), CaviaVampier (ADC), and Bravado (Support). FSP, Lootland, YLDR Esportswear, NorthSpwan are the sponsors of this team.

Today, the team is made-up of MeLikePanda (Top), King Loko (Jungle), ETPS (Mid), Frilla (ADC), and KRP (Support). There haven’t been any astonishing accomplishments from the Valhalla Vikings, but that is not to say that this team is nothing special. This is one of those teams that has more value in symbolism and pride for the nation than actual LoL effect.

Sweden certainly is staying in the game, which is great; more countries should be like Sweden. A more inclusively international eSports will be better for everyone, including those that would benefit from the information given to you by Lineups. So check us out. When betting becomes legalized in your area, you’ll be able to make more educated decisions. That aside, our next stop on this voyage across our League Atlas is Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun!