OpTic Gaming and Ninjas in Pyjamas have qualified for the FACEIT London Major in September.
The European Minor has been a success for the two teams, by giving them an opportunity to shine this September. We will now see both teams join the battle amongst over a dozen of the best CS:GO teams in the world in the New Challengers Stage. Each challenger then has a chance to join the teams with a Legend status such as FaZe or Na’Vi from the previous Boston Major.
OpTic Gaming raise the Green Wall
The OpTic Gaming organization has been having an identity problem for some time now. OpTic was originally a full North American based team when they began in 2016. However, after multiple roster changes, they have transformed into a fully Danish squad, consisting of Kristian “k0nfig” Wienecke, René “cajunb” Borg, in-game leader Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer, Jakob “JUGi” Hansen, and Nicklas “gade” Gade, who is on loan from North.
OpTic Gaming has not been able to qualify for a Major championship since the ELEAGUE Atlanta Major in January 2017. However, after beating ENCE 2-1, the Danes have got themselves a spot at London. After a poor start to the game on the first map by losing 16:7, the Danes found their way on the second map, Mirage. OpTic was able to take down their opposition in convincing fashion, 16:2. The deciding map, Inferno, was a closer game. Nevertheless, OpTic closed out the match 16:11, sending ENCE to the lower bracket to face NiP.
Could this be signs of a successful roster for the Green Wall? Or will it end like the previous line-ups and be dismantled? The FACEIT London Major will be a great testing ground for the organization. One thing is sure, the Danish OpTic shows promise.
Are the Ninjas in Pyjamas back?
After failing to qualify for a Major CS:GO tournament since 2016, the Ninjas in Pyjamas are heading to the FACEIT Major. The Swedish organization was able to book their ticket to London after beating ENCE 2:0. The first map, Overpass, was a head to head battle. However, the Swedes were too much for the Finns and they would overpower them 16:12. However, the next map, Inferno, was a completely different story. The Ninjas in Pyjamas must have gotten a surge of confidence as the Ninjas absolutely demolished ENCE, 16-2, knocking them out of the Minor and advancing to the final against OpTic Gaming.
The players on the Ninjas in Pyjamas roster show promise but have been inconsistent with their play as of late. In some instances, NIP are able to step up and find that elusive form which they showed a few years back. However, at other times they display uncharacteristic missed shots, miscommunication and lack of flair. We will need to see if they can bring this momentum into the FACEIT New Challengers stage, where teams like Astralis, OpTic Gaming, Team Liquid and BIG Clan await.
A Look At The FACEIT New Challengers
Following the Ninjas in Pyjamas’s and OpTic Gaming’s qualification, the FACEIT Challenger Stage has been set. Below are all the teams that will compete to enter the New Legends stage:
- Astralis
- Team Liquid
- Virtus.pro
- BIG Clan
- North
- Space Soldiers
- Gambit Esports
- Vega Squadron
- OpTic Gaming
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- TyLoo
- compLexity Gaming
- Rogue
- HellRaisers
- Renegades
- Team Spirit
Catch all the New Challengers stage action starting on September 5th – 9th, 2018. You can book your tickets to the event here on the FACEIT website!
What are your thoughts on Ninjas in Pyjamas and OpTic Gaming qualifying for the FACEIT London Major? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! If you want more CS:GO content, check us out here!
