Ninjas in Pyjamas have crashed out of the Thunderpick World Championship, finishing in last place after a decisive 0-2 defeat against Aurora in their Group A elimination match.
Their swift departure from the Malta event has inadvertently resolved what could have been a major scheduling dilemma. The Swedish squad had traveled straight from Stockholm after securing their spot in the Stake Pulse Beat III playoffs, leaving themselves just two days to compete at TWC before facing potential forfeit consequences in either tournament.
With their early exit confirmed, NIP can now head back to Sweden without any complications, arriving in time for the Stake Pulse quarter-finals which begin Friday at 10:00, less than a day after their elimination match concluded.
The back-to-back losses in Malta, including their opening defeat to Falcons, have dealt a blow to Ninjas in Pyjamas' hopes of qualifying for PGL Major Singapore. Their position now hovers around a 70% probability, keeping them barely above the invitation threshold.
The elimination match itself offered little for NIP supporters to celebrate. Despite Rasmus "sjuush" Beck delivering several impressive 1v2 clutches on Cache, Aurora ultimately took control once they adjusted their T-side approach.
Dust2, typically one of NIP's preferred bans in the reduced seven-map rotation, proved disastrous after XANTARES denied them momentum with a crucial 1v3 clutch. Aurora dominated from that point, establishing a commanding 9-3 lead by halftime and never looking back.
