NiP triumph over CLG and advance

With NiP coasting after a winning performance versus Keyd Stars and CLG riding the tide of a thrilling comeback win over HellRaisers, the two teams were set to lockdown for first seed of Group C on de_mirage.

NiP and CLG fought it out for top seed of Group C on de_mirage 

Aleksi "⁠allu⁠" Jalli, the recent Finnish pick-up for NiP, gave an early impressive account of himself on NiP's T pistol and helped secure the first round for the Ninjas. Two easy rounds against CLG's ecos followed suit.

CLG gave early indications of aggressive CT play and this boisterousness paid off on the first gun round, setting up an eventual one-on-two for Tarik "⁠tarik⁠" Celik, which he managed to win. NiP countered with an equally-aggressive A take next round and managed to pull ahead at a 4:1 score.

After this early battle of wills, the Swedish powerhouse started to pull forward with consecutive rounds until the tenth round, when CLG mounted a strong defense to take their second CT round.

For the second time in the game however, NiP chose to do a clean A take following a round loss and they sucessfully pulled it off yet again. And the Ninjas kept up this advantage over the North American line-up for the rest of their T side, finishing with a dominant 13:2 half.

CLG couldn't get their contentious CT play to work against NiP

The second half started off on a similar chord for CLG, and despite tarik's fake on A, Adam "⁠friberg⁠" Friberg helped hold down B site against CLG's ultimate take.

Despite the indications of an early close, CLG punished NiP in the next round, particularly Patrik "⁠f0rest⁠" Lindberg who pushed too assertively, and prolonged their lifespan in the game. The North American squad followed up this round with two round wins versus an eco'ing NiP.

With the score at 14:5 for NiP, CLG chose to do a well executed A-site take and managed to hold on, with both James "⁠hazed⁠" Cobb and Peter "⁠ptr⁠" Gurney getting important kills.

friberg had multiple important rounds for NiP 

Despite glimmers of hope, CLG ultimately lost on the 22nd round, after a clever A take was ultimately countered by NiP. The next round easily went NiP's way and sealed the deal for the Swedes.