jabbi returns to the server in style as Heroic qualify for IEM Rio playoffs over NIP

The Dane dominated Ninjas in Pyjamas to help his team qualify for the playoffs in Brazil.

HEROIC have secured a spot in the playoffs of IEM Rio after easing past Ninjas in Pyjamas 2-0 (16-5 Overpass, 16-9 Inferno) in the lower bracket final of Group A.

The Danish team had no difficulty in dispatching of their European opposition thanks to a star-level performance from Jakob "⁠jabbi⁠" Nygaard, who didn't miss a beat upon his return to the server after he stepped out mid-series on Tuesday due to feeling unwell.

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You wouldn't have guessed anything was amiss as the 19-year-old rifler entered the server firing on all cylinders, leading the charge in a dominant 10-5 CT side for his team before continuing to perform following the side swap, helping them clean sweep in the second half for a 16-5 victory.

Inferno was equally as impressive from jabbi as he finished the map just shy of 30 kills, posting a 2.13 rating on the T side and securing a monstrous quad kill and 1vs3 clutch to help his team lead 12-3 at the break.

Kristian "⁠k0nfig⁠" Wienecke's best efforts to keep Ninjas in Pyjamas in the map only served to reduce the deficit in the second half, but HEROIC's amassed lead was too substantial for the European combine to fight back from as Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller and jabbi closed things out, 16-9.

NIP will walk away from Rio disappointed — despite recording wins over Imperial and 9INE, the team didn't look particularly impressive as a whole. They failed to secure a map against Natus Vincere, and were almost eliminated by Olek "⁠hades⁠" Miskiewicz's men in two maps, only managing to survive after recovering from an immense 8-15 deficit on Mirage before securing a win on the Overpass decider.

Their flat showing against HEROIC really showed the gaps in their game and overall level too, something Aleksi "⁠Aleksib⁠" Virolainen discussed after the series. "Honestly I think it's our map pool," the Finnish in-game leader said regarding what Ninjas in Pyjamas are struggling with to consistently contend against top teams.

"We are really competitive on maybe three of the maps, and that is not enough against good teams, especially if they are banning your best map. We at least have some time now before the Major to try to refine it to the best we can, and hopefully be good there."