As the sun sets here in Paris on the penultimate day of the Challengers stage for the BLAST.tv Paris Major, three more teams have extended their stays in Paris with FaZe, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Apeks all concluding their runs in the opening phase with 3-1 records.

FaZe can breathe a sigh of relief

For the former Major champions, I'm sure there was a feeling of PTSD and deja vu after their loss to ENCE yesterday. In the 2-0 column just as they were back at the RMR, the European giants were keen to ensure there wasn't going to be a repeat of what happened in Denmark where they ended up with a 2-3 record after three straight BO3 losses.

Taking on the Russian side Forze, the Finn "karrigan" Andersen-led team dominated on Overpass as they secured map point while their opponents only posted a measly three rounds in the process. It looked as if FaZe were heading toward a choke of epic proportions at 15-12 before eventually closing it out and sending the two teams to Nuke where the European mix closed out the series 2-0 with a 16-11 scoreline.

Stephanie Lindgren

Apeks inflict some paiN

Another 2-0 team that progressed to the Legends stage on the second attempt, Apeks defeated Brazilian team paiN in a closely contested encounter.

The European team took first blood on their own map pick of Ancient, but the South American outfit would not go quietly into that good night as they responded on their own map pick of Vertigo which they won 16-13. Playing for all the marbles on Anubis, it would be Apeks that emerged victorious off the back of a solid CT-side in the second half and a balanced series from everyone on the team as not a single member of the team went negative for the overall series.

Michal Konkol

Ninjas put down the Grayhounds

In a rematch from their ESL Pro League Season 17 encounter, NiP got revenge on the Australian outfit Grayhound. Despite the Aussie side making history earlier in the stage after their 16-0 loss to Apeks which was only the third flawless game in Major history, they did not look to have been affected mentally as this was a close and competitive series.

Young Ukrainian AWPer Danyyl "headtr1ck" Valitov displayed exactly why he was brought in to elevate this team on Mirage, posting a whopping 30-12 stat line in a 16-11 win for the European mix. On Grayhound's pick of Inferno, it was Kristian "k0nfig" Wienecke's turn to switch on the hard carry mode as the Dane put up 29 kills to help NiP secure the map 16-12, as well as their spot in the Legends stage.

Michal Konkol