NAVI suffers upset loss again at BLAST

After a phenomenal ending to 2021, Natus Vincere is still yet to find its shape in 2022. At BLAST Premier Spring Groups, the tournament favorites lost their first two matches, which left them with the longest way possible to qualify for the Spring Finals.

In Round 2 of the Gauntlet, the defending BLAST World Champions took on Ninjas in Pyjamas. The fight began on Nuke, where NAVI turned up the heat on their CT-side to win the map 16-11.

On Nuke it was NAVI’s in-game leader Kirill 'Boombl4' Mikhailov who spearheaded the offense and defense for the CIS team. On Overpass it was Hampus 'hampus' Poser who popped off in a big way for NIP. The Swedish in-game leader made the most kills, most damage, most assists, and most first kills on the map to lead his team to a solid 16-11 win.

The third and final map was set on Mirage. Here NIP played a stellar CT side to put NAVI under pressure before the second half. Down 10-5, all eyes were on s1mple. It became evident that the Ukrainian had to step up massively to be able to save his team, who were a long way from last year’s highs. But nothing could hinder the incoming humiliation of NAVI. Worth mentioning is of course the roster of Ninjas in Pyjamas, who once again showed, that they can still deliver despite missing their star AWP'er Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz, who is still not ready to play. In-game leader Hampus 'hampus' Poser was for the third map straight pivotal for the Swedes, who won Mirage 16-7.

NIP will now play OG in the next round, while NAVI will have one last chance to qualify for the Spring Finals on Sunday against either OG or NIP.

Ninjas in Pyjamas – NAVI 2-1 | BLAST Premier Spring Groups

11-16 (Nuke) | Boombl4 – 1.31 Rating / 20-14 K-D / 71.3 ADR

16-11 (Overpass) | hampus 1.59 Rating / 26-14 K-D / 105.9 ADR

16-7 (Mirage) | phzy 1.67 Rating / 24-14 K-D / 112.7 ADR

 MVP: Hampus 'hampus' Poser - 1.35 Rating / 62-50 K-D / 98.2 ADR