Team Spirit claimed the last available spot at the Perfect World Shanghai Major, defeating Ninjas in Pyjamas in the decisive seventh-place match. The victory, secured with a 2-0 series score, ended NIP’s journey and solidified Spirit’s place at the Major. “We might be the last ones in, but we’re far from the least,” said Boris “magixx” Vorobiev in a post-match interview.
The series opened on Mirage, where Spirit asserted dominance from the outset. Under the leadership of Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov, they overwhelmed their opponents, conceding only one round during a commanding 11-1 performance on the T side before the break. While NIP managed a few rounds late in the game to make the scoreline appear closer, Spirit’s control was unshaken as they secured the first map.
Vertigo, NIP’s map pick, told a much different story. Gareth “MisteM” Ries and his squad appeared rejuvenated, displaying aggression and confidence. A 5-0 start bolstered their momentum, but Spirit quickly responded, leveling the score to 6-6 by halftime. The match remained fiercely contested, with neither team willing to yield ground as they entered a pivotal 20th round with both sides’ economies stretched thin.
Although NIP initially claimed the critical round, Spirit’s young star delivered a game-changing moment with a spectacular quad-kill in a force-buy round, swinging the momentum back in their favor. After denying NIP a map point and dismantling their economy, Spirit closed out Vertigo 13-11, securing both the series and their ticket to the Major.
With this win, Spirit demonstrated resilience and composure under pressure, ending their campaign with a triumphant entry into one of CS2’s most prestigious tournaments. The loss, however, marked a bitter conclusion for Ninjas in Pyjamas, who fell just short of their goal in a hard-fought series.
