NIP beat mouz to set up OG quarter-final

A flawless defense on the deciding Inferno put Ninjas in Pyjamas through to the next round.

The first quarter-final of ESL Pro League Season 14 is set after Ninjas in Pyjamas took down MOUZ in the round of 12. A risk in the veto did not pay off for the Swedes as the European side called their bluff with a Vertigo pick, but Hampus "⁠hampus⁠" Poser and company came out on top nonetheless, picking up a close victory on Ancient and the closing Inferno with a convincing defense.

"[The veto] didn't really end up the way we wanted, we kind of let Vertigo float a bit," Linus "⁠LNZ⁠" Holtäng said after the match. "I think it was fine, we were really confident that we were going to win either way, even though Vertigo was the second map."

The victory sets Ninjas in Pyjamas up for a match against OG in the quarter-finals on Thursday in a bout that will see the two sides face for the first time in a series this year. The two teams had only met in a best-of-one with their current lineups, with Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen's team coming out on top on Mirage at IEM Summer, shortly after LNZ was added to the Ninjas in Pyjamas roster.

REZ and LNZ were the keys to NIP's close Ancient win

After Ninjas in Pyjamas had picked Ancient every chance they got in the past couple of tournaments, it was of little surprise that they did so again in their first playoffs series at ESL Pro League. The opening map was full of turns, which mainly happened on the back of low-buy triumphs from the Swedish side, who won three key rounds with just pistols.

The first came in round three, when a few opening kills with Deagles gave Ninjas in Pyjamas the B bombsite and the momentum to gain their first lead in the series. MOUZ ended up putting together a solid defense nonetheless, but another antieco loss meant they would only be ahead by one round at the end of the half on the heavily CT-sided map.

A back-and-forth ensued at the beginning of the second half, set off by another round victory from the Swedes with just pistols in hand and one saved weapon. Ninjas in Pyjamas finally grasped control of the map at the tail end, stringing together seven rounds on the defense with LNZ stepping up with a couple of key multikills to help close it 16-12.

MOUZ called Ninjas in Pyjamas's bluff in the veto after the Swedes floated Vertigo, with Christopher "⁠dexter⁠" Nong's team punishing their opponents for the choice despite having lost the map every time they played it in the past three months. The European side dominated the map, with Ninjas in Pyjamas left scrapping for solitary rounds in what quickly turned out a losing battle. After a 12-3 first half in which mouz had everyone firing on all cylinders, it was just a matter of time before the series reached the deciding Inferno.

The first half rested on a knife's edge on the decider as Ninjas in Pyjamas grabbed an early lead before MOUZ caught up thanks to a Aurimas "⁠Bymas⁠" Pipiras quad-kill in an eco round. After the two sides kept trading blows, the half turned in the European team's favor in the end, but that was where their fortunes ended. Once on the defense, Ninjas in Pyjamas always had the majority of their team where they needed them thanks to good reads and well-timed rotations, with hampus leading the way and making a couple of key aggressive plays to secure a flawless CT side and a 16-8 closing.

Matchpage
1
2
7th September 2021
12
Ancient
16
16
Vertigo
6
8
Inferno
16
 MOUZ K - D +/- ADR KAST Rating2.0
64 - 43 +21 82.9 75.7% 1.22
52 - 43 +9 82.5 77.0% 1.18
53 - 42 +11 72.8 73.0% 1.16
42 - 56 -14 71.6 67.6% 0.94
38 - 44 -6 57.2 63.5% 0.89
 Ninjas in Pyjamas K - D +/- ADR KAST Rating2.0
52 - 45 +7 78.6 67.6% 1.10
50 - 50 0 68.3 68.9% 0.98
47 - 58 -11 81.2 59.5% 0.96
38 - 49 -11 60.1 59.5% 0.91
39 - 48 -9 59.1 63.5% 0.85
Sweden Hampus 'hampus' Poser
Hampus 'hampus' Poser
Age:
22
Rating 1.0:
1.01
Maps played:
1220
KPR:
0.70
DPR:
0.70
Lithuania Aurimas 'Bymas' Pipiras
Aurimas 'Bymas' Pipiras
Age:
18
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.96
Maps played:
261
KPR:
0.63
DPR:
0.63
Finland Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen
Age:
24
Team:
Rating 1.0:
0.97
Maps played:
921
KPR:
0.65
DPR:
0.66
Australia Christopher 'dexter' Nong
Christopher 'dexter' Nong
Age:
27
Team:
Rating 1.0:
1.11
Maps played:
871
KPR:
0.76
DPR:
0.66
Sweden Linus 'LNZ' Holtäng
Linus 'LNZ' Holtäng
Age:
18
Rating 1.0:
0.96
Maps played:
212
KPR:
0.62
DPR:
0.64
#1
 | 
Finland Cucumber))
rip I really thought mouz would win
2021-09-07 19:30
0
5 replies
#7
 | 
Asia Trainerherp
Mouz playing 4 v 6 sadly
2021-09-07 19:31
0
4 replies
#14
 | 
Finland Cucumber))
acoR dying in the middle of nowhere with the awp part 6235
2021-09-07 19:32
0
#23
 | 
Indonesia lumayan
+1
2021-09-07 19:34
0
Wdym device did play for mouz tho
2021-09-07 19:36
0
1 reply
xd
2021-09-07 23:30
0
R EZ
2021-09-07 19:30
0
#4
 | 
Serbia eliiiiii_
acor...
2021-09-07 19:31
0
2 replies
He looked good in mad lions but now... - acor, + literally any other awper at this point *cough* smooya *cough*
2021-09-08 01:50
0
1 reply
Smooya too toxic
2021-09-08 04:28
0
Good bye acor Thx god we won't see you ever again on the tier-1 tournaments.
2021-09-07 19:31
0
2 replies
#69
 | 
Afghanistan KabulGamer
+smoooooya
2021-09-07 21:05
0
1 reply
+1 pleeeeeease
2021-09-07 21:09
0
#6
s1mple | 
India Msrvt
#go lnz
2021-09-07 19:31
0
Kill me.
2021-09-07 19:31
0
1 reply
#24
 | 
Indonesia lumayan
save dexter
2021-09-07 19:34
0
#9
 | 
Brazil gu1zera
Mouz w/ acor is that trash you guys are seeing .. and device again negative hahahaha
2021-09-07 19:31
0
#10
 | 
United States ka0nashi
-AcoR is imminent.
2021-09-07 19:31
0
7 replies
#78
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
United Kingdom Enticles!
I hope so, he is struggling so hard in this lineup, release him from his contract so he can play in a team that suits his style more. Not to mention, Mouz get a chance to find another awper.
2021-09-07 22:44
0
6 replies
#85
 | 
United States ka0nashi
The thing is that torzsi isn’t experienced in T1, so I would assume they’d do a trial period if they consider bringing him on, but with the success of mouz NXT, it seems unlikely. Their best bet at the moment is smooya.
2021-09-07 23:36
0
5 replies
#89
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
United Kingdom Enticles!
I hope Smooya has matured if that's who they look at. No denying his talent, he just has (or had) an abysmal attitude problem. Would be a pretty sick pickup, all things considered.
2021-09-07 23:59
0
4 replies
#92
 | 
United States ka0nashi
That would also be my biggest concern, but I’m sure he’s hungry to play at T1 again after farting on T2 players in Movistar Riders.
2021-09-08 02:30
0
But personality doesn't suit mouz, he's very passionate, where the rest of mouz are pretty quiet and chill.
2021-09-08 02:31
0
2 replies
But maybe smooya could be the one hype guy mouz need or it could go wrong with a clash of personalities
2021-09-08 03:15
0
#103
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
United Kingdom Enticles!
in the current iteration, possibly. When Karrigan was IGL, he would hype up the rest of the squad, and going as far back as when NiKo was still in Mouz they had a massive hype problem - when things were good, they were great, when they were bad, they were awful. Smooya could be another hype-man for the squad, i have a theory that Smooya was getting kicked for his attitude / personality, not his in server performance
2021-09-08 19:05
0
0.90 rating = 1 Million $ Maybe I should go pro ez $$
2021-09-07 19:31
0
9 replies
CR7 btw
2021-09-07 19:32
0
8 replies
And people compare him to s1mple, I wonder when is the last time s1mple got a 0.90 rating in a series
2021-09-07 19:33
0
7 replies
#53
 | 
Other Bactuga
hltv.org/matches/2348986/natus-vincere-v.. No one compares Dev1ce to S1mple tho. idk where you find those people
2021-09-07 20:27
0
6 replies
You say people aren't calling him the GOAT player/awper?
2021-09-07 20:27
0
5 replies
#55
 | 
Other Bactuga
Greatest of ALL TIME = Dev1ce has the most titles & MVPS, 4 majors and 2 major mvps and is on the top 20 HLTV for the past 7 years, but currently S1mple is better
2021-09-07 20:28
0
4 replies
And people calling s1mple the GOAT player/awper as well, so they are being compared... Saying they aren't is just weird no reason to lie about it. Also you can't be the best player of all time if you were literally never the best player at any point of your career. Most of his achievements are attributed to Astralis as clearly proven in recent months.
2021-09-07 20:30
0
3 replies
#67
 | 
Other Bactuga
HE IS the Goat, stats and facts are on him, but currently S1mple is a better player, just because Dev1ce doesnt do as good as he did before doesnt mean he still isnt the goat
2021-09-07 21:02
0
2 replies
Its literally people who dont understand Best of all time vs Greatest of all time
2021-09-08 22:08
0
1 reply
#105
 | 
Other Bactuga
+1 fr so annoying
2021-09-08 22:10
0
#15
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
France homer1337
rezera
2021-09-07 19:32
0
Another Great performance from CR7
2021-09-07 19:33
0
3 replies
Haha stop trolling him man!
2021-09-07 19:36
0
2 replies
I'm just confused. People here used to say device can hard carry like s1mple
2021-09-07 19:39
0
1 reply
#106
 | 
Other Bactuga
i never saw someone say that but ok
2021-09-08 22:10
0
- acoR + Torzsi
2021-09-07 19:33
0
1 reply
#70
 | 
Afghanistan KabulGamer
Who The hell is torzi? +smoooya
2021-09-07 21:06
0
pain..... mouz need awper
2021-09-07 19:33
0
#20
 | 
Russia ToughGuy
so u telling me 1 of og - nip will be in semi final ? xd
2021-09-07 19:33
0
3 replies
#26
 | 
Chad kdorek
if gambit doesnt capitalize they might be trash after all
2021-09-07 19:34
0
#35
 | 
Brazil Elakk
Quarters
2021-09-07 19:41
0
1 reply
#66
 | 
Russia ToughGuy
winner of og nip will be in semi
2021-09-07 20:59
0
#21
 | 
United States Bearthorne
Botcor
2021-09-07 19:33
0
#22
device | 
Mexico Uli_
EZ 4 NIP
2021-09-07 19:34
0
nice sniper 0.8 rating each match
2021-09-07 19:34
0
#27
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
Great game. ropz and Frozen continuing to get better with every game they play and NiP had a great lockdown for Mousesports.
2021-09-07 19:35
0
11 replies
Aren't you a bit worried about device's form?
2021-09-07 19:37
0
10 replies
#33
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
In all honesty, not really... The guy is one of the most consistent players ever and if rumours about his personal life are true, he is bound to have a dip in performance. Device played really well in the EPL qualifiers, so the occasional off-game (which was still a 0.90) isn't that bad. If this form continues over the span of the next few months, then there is reason to worry but as it stands right now, Device is still NiP's best rated fragger currently.
2021-09-07 19:40
0
8 replies
What rumors may I know?
2021-09-07 19:53
0
7 replies
#41
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
Just about Device's personal life in regards to his girlfriend, etc... Silly rumours about that.
2021-09-07 19:53
0
6 replies
Yeah so may I know the rumors? Did they break up or something?
2021-09-07 19:55
0
1 reply
#45
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
Apparently they broke up and that Device isn't happy in NiP at all. Whether or not any of that is true is unbeknownst to me.
2021-09-07 19:57
0
#46
 | 
South Africa Ray_ZA
What are the rumors?
2021-09-07 19:57
0
3 replies
#47
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
Post #45. Apparently Device broke up with his girlfriend and with him punching his monitor during EPL, he is unhappy in NiP currently.
2021-09-07 19:58
0
2 replies
That'd be weird and sad, if true!
2021-09-07 20:35
0
1 reply
#60
 | 
United Kingdom Jonty04l32
Agreed - It would definitely suck for Device. :(
2021-09-07 20:41
0
#75
 | 
Zimbabwe KennyKEX
He have played very bad but next match i really think hes going to get some great frags!
2021-09-07 22:06
0
#36
 | 
Poland 2376198
Pls -acor +torzsi
2021-09-07 19:42
0
It just felt like everything was working against Mouz on Inferno :( Overall great match, well played.
2021-09-07 19:43
0
#38
 | 
Sweden sn1pie
I told you #GONINJAS
2021-09-07 19:44
0
#39
 | 
Chile cristiaan
nooooooooo
2021-09-07 19:51
0
gg so easy for nip god team
2021-09-07 19:56
0
#48
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Ax1Le | 
Portugal KSED
If you only looked at the scoreboard you would guess a 2-1 for mouz instead
2021-09-07 20:02
0
1 reply
mouz threw ancient away and should have locked inferno 9-6 first half
2021-09-07 20:06
0
EZ Clap haters in shambles
2021-09-07 20:07
0
Ropz was baiting so hard but hltv soft community ain’t ready for that conversation
2021-09-07 20:25
0
2 replies
#61
 | 
Hungary anw_
Thats his role. He lurks. 🗿
2021-09-07 20:41
0
#86
 | 
United States ka0nashi
Out of everyone on mouz, I’d want ropz last alive. He’s easily one the best lurks in the world at the moment.
2021-09-07 23:42
0
#52
 | 
Pakistan LoOuU2
4v4 game Awpers missing for both sides But expected win, NiP can take down OG too if they have the Gambit form.
2021-09-07 20:26
0
Faze died for this
2021-09-07 20:33
0
#62
 | 
Croatia _doppler_
being lowest rated player while being an awper, yikes
2021-09-07 20:45
0
#63
JK | 
Asia flipflop
nip ct side is very impressive
2021-09-07 20:46
0
i have a feeling they will win this event
2021-09-07 20:48
0
1 reply
Not without a primary awper. Devve kinda showed up only on one map out of three.
2021-09-07 21:13
0
RIP
2021-09-07 20:53
0
#68
 | 
Sweden Svahn
GG micesports! All aim, no brain
2021-09-07 21:03
0
#71
 | 
Afghanistan KabulGamer
-acor +smoooooooooya
2021-09-07 21:07
0
#73
 | 
Russia Topper!
Omg unexpected
2021-09-07 21:11
0
another unlucky day for RONALDO
2021-09-07 22:15
0
#77
 | 
Switzerland Cyblanx
kennyS to mouz?
2021-09-07 22:25
0
#80
 | 
Belgium TimmyX1985
NIP NIP
2021-09-07 22:58
0
#81
 | 
Germany KEMSN
Mouz fix -MithR +Rejin -Acor +GodJ and when the ban has expired +Troszi and -dexter +ChrisJ as IGL then Acor to the Academi Team
2021-09-07 23:04
0
2 replies
the best fix i have ever seen gj bro.
2021-09-07 23:28
0
1 reply
#84
 | 
Germany KEMSN
Thank you Hungary friend...
2021-09-07 23:30
0
-acor +Nato !!!
2021-09-08 03:48
0
#98
 | 
Laos cell98765
EZ for OG
2021-09-08 06:25
0
device being carried by god R EZ
2021-09-08 09:15
0
#100
Faceit level 10 Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Sweden Lindhan
ezzzz 4 NIP
2021-09-08 10:21
0
-acoR
2021-09-08 10:43
0
#102
Faceit plus user Faceit level 9  | 
Czech Republic maXX_CZ
well, ye Half a year and he is on downtrend all the time. And he has good positions, not entering etc. Get Sh1r0 or someone...
2021-09-08 16:46
0
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