Serbian Counter-Strike:Global Offensive team CR4ZY defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas during the StarLadder Berlin Major’s New Legends Stage.
The first half was a back and forth affair, with NiP getting out to a 4-0 lead before the newcomers to the major won a force buy with four desert eagles and a CZ to get their first round on the board. CR4ZY would fight back to a 5-5 draw with some aggressive A pushes, having broken the economy of NiP.
With a full buy available to them in round 11, NiP would strike back, but both teams looked pretty even going into halftime with the score 8-7 to NiP.
CR4ZY started the second half strongly by winning the opening two rounds. The team did significant damage to the NiP economy, and a strong defense of the A bombsite allowed CR4ZY to build to a 12-9 lead.
NiP then looked to be building towards a draw before CR4ZY’s Rokas “EspiranTo” Milasauskas produced what could be the best play of the major thus far. Left in a 3v1 with only a deagle against two AKs and an AWP, EsouranTo managed to pull off the clutch by killing all three, shattering NiP’s momentum.
This play, at such a crucial stage of the game, roused the CR4ZY roster to win the remaining rounds and take the game 16-10.
NiP’s problems continue
Such a disappointing performance so far at the major highlights a difficult period for the Swedish organization. Former player Robin “Fifflaren” Johansson recently revealed NiP’s use unfair contracts and, according to his interview with Richard Lewis, demanding written requests to have a girlfriend.
Fifflaren also criticized the treatment of Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund who, it appears, is being encouraged to retire from the active roster.
“We have decided that he will continue competing with us until after the StarLadder Berlin Major, as we start looking for a suitable long-term replacement to take his place on the active roster,” NiP said in response.
NiP will go on to play a best-of-three match tomorrow to stay in the tournament. Should they lose, the team will have to play in the next minor tournament in order to qualify for the future major.
