NiP through to the Grand Final after 2-1 victory
The strong form continues for the Ninjas in Pyjamas
The IEM Fall 2021 Europe RMR event has reached its closing stage with four teams left to compete for a spot in the Grand Finals as well as the last RMR points. The first semi-final of the day saw NiP and Vitality clash in an intense Bo3-series where the winner would earn themselves a spot in the Grand Final of the IEM Fall 2021 Europe event. Both teams have had a remarkable run insofar at the event, however, when facing each other it became clear that one team wanted the victory more than the other. Despite a bumpy start to the Bo3-series it was NiP to silence Vitality and take control of the series from the second map and onwards. Despite the series going all three maps it was ultimately the Swedish boys and “device” to earn a spot in the Grand Final after an intense 2-1 victory.
The first map was the choice of NiP and saw the Bo3-series start on Nuke. Both teams are more than capable on the map of Nuke, however, the veto left NiP with little option in terms of their own map pick. Perhaps not ready and warmed up it seemed as if NiP were shocked by Vitality’s aggressive and secure CT-sided performance. Before they could realize what had happened the French had already gained an early 7-0 lead against the Ninjas in Pyjamas. The Swedes and “device” managed to answer back with a couple of rounds of their own, however, it was too late. The second half saw more aggressive play from Vitality and the Ninjas never really seemed themselves on Nuke. At the scoreline of 16-5, it was Vitality to close out the first map of the series and further strengthen the team morale and confidence.
The second map of the series was to be played on Overpass and was, of course, picked by Vitality. Whilst it isn’t a bad map for NiP, it seemed difficult for the Ninjas to bounce back from such a devastating loss on Nuke. This, however, wasn’t the case. Once Overpass got rolling NiP seemed an entirely different roster than the one, we had seen on Nuke. Gaining an early 5-0 lead on their CT-side, it seemed as if “device” and his teammates had finally woken up. Despite Vitality making it somewhat competitive by securing a handful of rounds themselves it was ultimately clear that Overpass was in control of the ninjas. Thanks to many successful executes onto the B bombsite, NiP could walk away with the victory at the scoreline of 16-9.
The third and final map was set to be played on Inferno. Vitality have looked deadly on the map as of recent times and are currently sitting on an 88%-win rate in their last eight matches. NiP, however, are no strangers to the map of Inferno and despite a lower win rate than Vitality, it was anyone’s map to win before entering the server. Once the map started, however, it was all one team. NiP continued the trend of strong CT-sided halves with a remarkable performance in the first half. At the scoreline of 13-2, there was very little left to do for the NiP roster on their T-side. Vitality never got back into the game and with only two rounds to their name, they would have to see themselves bested by the Ninjas at the scoreline of 16-2 on Inferno.
Highlight of the BO3-series
Vitality – NiP (1-2) | IEM Fall 2021 Europe (semi-final)
16-5 (Nuke) | 
16-9 (Overpass) | 
16-2 (Inferno) |
MVP:
