The opening round of the IEM Cologne 2021 Play-in event featured a Bo1-series format. Whilst the Bo1’s provides entertainment of the highest caliber, there are strategies to be implied when it comes to a Bo3-series. The first Bo3-series of the IEM Cologne 2021 Play-in event was to be settled between NiP and mousesports with a spot at the main event as a reward for the victorious team. Despite both teams starting the event strong it was clear that the NiP roster was the stronger roster on the day. The Swedes managed to earn their spot at the main event with a 2-0 victory against moussports.
The first map of the Bo3-series was to be played on the map of Mirage. The map was chosen by mousesports and is one of their current strongest maps in the map-pool. Despite being the pick of mousesports, however, it was NiP to show dominance on Mirage. Making very few errors the Swedish side of NiP powered through mousesports and took home the first map of the series with a 16-8 victory.
The second map was the pick of NiP. As seen earlier today, in the opening round of play, NiP have added the new Ancient map to their arsenal. Once again it was the map of Ancient to be played and despite a strong start from the mousesports side it was NiP to close out the map looking the strongest. At the scoreline of 16-11 “device” and his teammates at NiP could see themselves advance to the main event after a strong 2-0 victory against mousesports.
Map 1 – Mirage
16-8 NiP | hampus 1.50 Rating / 109.9 ADR / 23-15 K-D
Map 2 – Ancient
16-11 NiP | ropz 1.47 Rating / 97.0 ADR / 28-16 K-D
Highlight of the Bo3-series
MVP
Nicolai “device” Reedtz | 1.35 Rating – 44-29 K/D – 88.1 ADR – 76.5.0% KAST
