- FaZe dominate NiP 2-0 in a spectacularly one-sided match
- Ninjas in Pyjamas did not manage to go to double digits on both maps played
- FaZe will now face Vitality for a direct berth to the quarter-finals
FaZe Clan secure a spot at the ESL Pro League Season 17 playoffs after absolutely obliterating Ninjas in Pyjamas on Ancient and Overpass.
FaZe Dominate NiP
ESL Pro League Season 17’s Group C upper bracket semi-finals just ended with a spectacularly one-sided match between FaZe Clan and Ninjas in Pyjamas, which saw the former absolutely wipe the floor with the latter. NiP did not manage to go into the double digits in none of the two maps played, with them scoring just three rounds on the second one.
The game might have seemed somewhat disappointing as many fans usually want to watch a close game. However, there was absolutely no point in the match where NiP looked like they have any chance of winning. All of FaZe Clan’s players performed admirably in the match, coming online when they needed to.
Even the typically silent in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen had a few impressive moments, especially with the AUG on the CT side on the first map, Overpass. He helped his team during one of the few times it looked like NiP was putting up a fight by turning around a 2v3 in round five. Karrigan later did a 1v1 clutch to keep momentum firmly in FaZe's hands.
But the one FaZe member who shined the brightest on Overpass was Robin “ropz” Kool, who finished just three kills shy of a 30-bomb in a dominant victory. The only significant sign of life NiP showed on Overpass was in the first rounds, but that was not enough to stop FaZe from taking the map 16-9.
Ninjas in Pyjamas basically did not exist on the second map, Ancient. The team once again started well in the first rounds, only for their momentum to be even more swiftly stopped thanks to a 1v2 clutch from FaZe’s Håvard “rain” Nygaard in round three. The rest of the map was dictated by FaZe, ending it in a devastating 16-3.
“I can't remember the last time we had so much practice in the team,” FaZe’s leader karrigan said after the match. “Coming into this tournament we are very comfortable on any map. I'm happy we got to play Overpass, it's a map we have been working on and statistically, it has been a shaky map for us. I didn't expect it to be that easy, but I expected a good result for us.”
FaZe Clkas will now face Vitality on Sunday for a chance to get a spot in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, NiP is sent to the lower bracket of the triple elimination format, where they'll first face the winner of 00NATION vs. Grayhound.
