LR Crownie on LEC Versus loss to FNATIC: “Being the underdog isn’t a bad thing”

Los Ratones (LR) and FNATIC (FNC) opened the inaugural LEC Versus tournament with a high-intensity clash, but, despite a strong start, Los Ratones lost. In an exclusive interview, Los Ratones’ ADC Juš "Crownie" Marušič reflected on the defeat, his return to the Tier 1 stage, and the team’s potential.

For the first time since franchising and rebranding to the LEC in 2019, non-partnered teams from the ERL system are invited to compete for a spot at The First Stand 2026.

Los Ratones' debut in the Tier 1 was not what they expected after losing the match against FNATIC. In a best-of-one (Bo1) clash, Los Ratones failed to get the most out of their strategy. FNATIC finished 12/2 with a 12k gold lead. While the game might seem like a stomp at first glance, this was not the case in the beginning.

"We predicted what they were going to play, and we knew how they liked to play. Our draft was solid, we had the tools, but we messed up execution on some early game things," Crownie explained. "We could have a bigger lead."

The Tier 2 experience is very different from Tier 1. LR Crownie believes their ERL matches were way more focused on playing objectives repeatedly and getting some CS leads, which ends up in fast-paced matches. But Tier 1 is more about game control. In a Bo1 format, champion picks tend to be repetitive, largely reflecting what players have focused on during scrims.

"People thought this was going to be a stomp from them, but we did okay," Crownie stated. "I got caught once on mid, and that was very bad." Plays like the one that secured Baron for FNATIC were some examples of mistakes that Crownie highlighted as contributing to their defeat. You can watch the VOD on the official LEC YouTube channel.

For LR Crownie, being the underdog is not a negative thing. In fact, they should be seen as the underdogs. "I think most people look at us like that. But it's not bad to be the underdogs. There are no expectations on you," he said. When there are no expectations, you can surprise those who doubt your talent and abilities.

As one of the oldest players in the LEC Versus tournament, Crownie doesn’t see his age as a limitation. He believes that as long as he keeps practicing, his mechanics will remain sharp. However, the game has changed a lot since Crownie started to play back in 2014.

With the new season updates, a lot has changed in 2026. New role quests and items, waves that are way faster, and turrets with different gold rewards. For Crownie, the ADC role is pretty much the same. However, the same cannot be said for top lane, which can now reach new levels — literally. "There is a time when Ambessa is level 15, and the ADC is 11 or 12. They have big XP leads, and it is not easy to play against them," he explained.

In his second year playing with the "rats," Crownie is happy with the team's performance. For him, it's been a crazy experience, and playing in the LEC was a big surprise for everyone. Los Ratones are still learning, and they haven't reached their full potential.

The LEC Versus featured two Tier 2 teams in the first European tournament of the year, giving them a unique opportunity to perform on the big stage. Los Ratones and Karmine Corp Blue now have a chance to prove their worth, and a tournament win could secure their spot in The First Stand. "I think it's very fun and opening the format is good," LR Crownie commented. " It was a bit boring to only play the same 10 teams all the time."

Los Ratones still have a chance to prove their value in the tournament. They will be playing against Karmine Corp Blue on Jan. 18, 2026. In the following weekend, they will be facing GIANTX, Team Heretics, and Shifters.