NiP destroy Liquid in 2-1 win

The main event of IEM Cologne 2021 is finally underway and started with a brawl between NiP and Liquid. From start to finish it was a close affair between the two teams and with both teams winning their opponents map-pick it was all to be decided in the third and final map on Mirage. This time, however, it wasn’t a close affair and ultimately it was the Swedish Ninjas in Pyjamas who were able to walk away with the victory and advance further at the event.

The first map was the pick of the Ninjas in Pyjamas and saw the two rosters head to Overpass to start the Bo3-series. It was, despite being the pick of NiP, Team Liquid to start the strongest on Overpass. Due to an incredible performance from Liquid player “Grim” they managed to gain an early lead on NiP and could walk to halftime at the scoreline of 9-6 favoring the North American Liquid side. The second half started as the first had ended, however, it wasn’t long until NiP woke up and started answering back. Making a comeback attempt the Swedes managed to force overtime at 15-15. Unfortunately, however, Liquid didn’t allow any more from the Ninjas in overtime and could walk away with the victory on Overpass at 19-17.

The second map was picked by Team Liquid and was to be played over on Dust 2. The iconic map of Dust 2 is a map that heavily favors individual skill and has been home to some of the biggest upsets over time. Today it was NiP who gained the benefits of Dust 2 and with young “LNZ” performing at an extremely high level it was clear that NiP was the better team on map 2. Without too much hassle the Swedes from NiP managed to shut down Liquid and take home Dust 2 at the impressive scoreline of 16-6.

The third and final map was to be played on Mirage. Coming from a strong performance on Dust 2 it was clear that the Ninjas in Pyjamas had momentum and confidence going into the deciding third map. Leaving Liquid with very little room to breathe the Swedes dominated Liquid on Mirage. The domination carried over to the second half of Mirage and the North American Liquid were only able to win two rounds as NiP could call themselves victorious after a dominating 16-2 performance on Mirage.

Map 1 – Overpass 

19-17 Liquid | Grim 1.50 Rating / 94.4 ADR / 35-22 K-D

Map 2 – Dust 2

16-6 NiP | LNZ 1.52 Rating / 86.6 ADR / 18-6 K-D

Map 3 – Mirage

16-2 NiP | device 2.23 Rating / 120.8 ADR / 23-7 K-D

Highlight of the BO1-series

MVP

Nicolai “device” Reedtz| 1.58 Rating - 73-37 K/D - 94.0 ADR - 84.2% KAST

IEM Cologne 2021 update – Gambit vs mousesports (2-1)

Whilst the NiP vs Liquid brawl was underway another big match took place between Gambit and mousesports. Being Gambit’s first series at the IEM Cologne 2021 event they looked a little rusty coming out of the gate and lost the first map of Inferno 16-14. This, however, didn’t last very long as they seemed fiercer than ever on the second map of Vertigo. Dominating their opposition Gambit managed to take home Vertigo at 16-3. The third and deciding map was much closer than the one of Vertigo. Both teams seemed eager to win, however, in the end, it was the side of Gambit who could call themselves victorious at the scoreline of 16-12.