NiP edge out Astralis in Kiev

The series began on Cache, where Astralis got out to a quick 2-0 lead on the CT side. NiP then responded with a buy in the third round, with Patrik "⁠f0rest⁠" Lindberg getting three crucial kills, but were pegged back by a great hold from Nicolai "⁠device⁠" Reedtz inside B in the next round.

The Danish team went on a great run and brought the scoreline to a 9-2 advantage. It was only then that NiP's offense finally came to life, with the Swedes reducing the deficit to five rounds before the end of the half.

Astralis carried their momentum going into the second half and bagged the first four rounds to further enlarge their lead. NiP then finally managed to get a round on the board, courtesy of a trio of kills from Mikail "⁠Maikelele⁠" Bill, but their dreams would be crushed right after as Markus "⁠Kjaerbye⁠" Kjærbye picked up an ace to power his team to a comfortable win.

NiP through to the semi-finals 

Map two, Dust 2, followed the same pattern as the first, with NiP hitting back in the third round after losing the first two. But once again, they were unable to capitalise on that as Astralis quickly regained control of proceedings. Nip would be able to cut the deficit to 3-4, but the inability to win close rounds cost them dearly as Astralis closed out the half with a commanding 11-4 lead.

Now playing on the CT side, NiP got off to a fantastic start, winning eight of the first nine rounds and forcing Astralis to call a timeout. The Danes still tried to adjust their offense, but they kept struggling to break through NiP's defensive setup, with Maikelele's AWP proving to be a nuisance every time that an A execute was attempted. NiP refused to take their foot off the pedal and eventually hit 16 rounds to take the series to Overpass.

Kjaerbye was on fire on Cache, but then device stepped up 

The Ninjas went out with guns blazing and cruised to a 6-0 lead as they kept shutting Astralis down. After calling a tactical pause, the Danes finally managed to find a way past NiP's defense, but the rounds they edged out were few and far between, resulting in a 12-3 half-time scoreline.

Astralis won the pistol round as CT and the following two anti-ecos to give themselves a fighting chance, but once we reached the gun rounds it was all over for them as NiP bagged four in a row to seal a 16-6 victory and move on in Kiev.