NIP eliminated after quick NAVI 2-0
NIP might have come into BLAST Premier Fall Final with two new players and an IGL change, but they'll be disappointed with their showings here in Copenhagen.
Eliminated following a 2-0 loss to NAVI, their opponents will be happy to have bounced back following a defeat to Cloud9 in their opening game.
NAVI win the battle of the CT sides on Overpass
Yesterday, we saw Complexity come back from 12-2 down on their CT side against Astralis, and today, we almost saw NIP mount a similar comeback on the same map.
10-2 down at the half, NIP managed to claw their way back to 12-11 but ultimately fell at the final hurdle as NAVI closed out the map 13-11.
The map started with this quick-fire Dualies clutch from b1t, who will be very happy to have put a difficult first day behind him as he top-fragged for NAVI with 21 kills.
He continued to have substantial impact rounds throughout Overpass; check out this 4k from round nine.
It got even better for b1t on the T side. The Ukrainian pulled off another 1v2 to secure NAVI's first round in the second half.
NIP's new captain alex showed his leadership qualities at 12-10. A calming presence, his words before the round helped NIP take it all the way to the final round.
Sadly for NIP, they couldn't go the extra mile, and despite headtr1ck and k0nfig recording 20 and 21 kills respectively, NAVI picked up the final round for their 13-11 victory.
b1t was untouchable on Overpass. Photo: Michal KonkoliM and jL star as NIP fail to get going on Mirage
iM has often been criticized for failing to recapture his GamerLegion form since joining NAVI, but the Romanian had a starring role as his side took down NIP 13-6 on map two.
NIP looked like they would make it difficult for NAVI in the early stages, this force-buy win in round three helped them take an early lead.
They weren't the only side who were dangerous with pistols on Mirage though, this NAVI B pop decimated the CTs and gave them an easy route back into the game.
Maybe the real danger is the caster curse...
The force-buy win for NAVI was the first of five rounds they won to close out the half with a 7-5 advantage. Following it up with a CT pistol win, NIP had a mountain to climb at 9-5 down, but their one T-side round was a poor showing nonetheless.
alex will be disappointed his team couldn't do more at Fall Final. Photo: Michal KonkolNIP have now become the first team eliminated from BLAST Premier Fall Final 2023.