The elimination day of the PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 Swiss Stage turned into a real test for the teams fighting for survival. Gentle Mates pulled off a sensational 2–1 victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas, while fnatic crushed MIBR 2–0, leaving the Brazilian squad out of the tournament. These matches not only determined the first teams to be eliminated but also had a significant impact on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).
Road to the Elimination Matches
For Gentle Mates, this matchup marked a true moment of revival. After opening losses to paiN and Legacy, the French–Spanish roster regrouped and displayed resilience. Under the guidance of coach neityu, the team showcased discipline, patience, and cohesion when it mattered most.
Ninjas in Pyjamas, on the other hand, entered the series under heavy pressure. Following defeats to SAW and Heroic, the Ninjas had just one chance left to stay in the tournament. Despite individual brilliance from xKacpersky and ewjerkz, the Swedish–Polish lineup once again failed to solve its mid-round communication issues — a recurring problem that has haunted them for months.
For fnatic, the matchup against MIBR was their last chance to save the campaign. After a shaky start in Bucharest, the British organization finally came alive — under blameF’s leadership, the team looked confident, structured, and ruthlessly aggressive. MIBR, meanwhile, never recovered from their early defeats and exited the tournament with a 0–3 record.
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Gentle Mates vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
Result: 2–1 (13–9 Inferno, 9–13 Train, 13–10 Ancient)
- Inferno — a strong start for Gentle Mates
The French–Spanish side opened the series with organized defense and sharp decision-making. alex and MartinezSa dominated key positions, executing their strategy with precision and closing the map 13–9 despite NiP’s late comeback attempt.
- Train — NiP fight back
On their map pick, NiP finally showed signs of life. xKacpersky delivered a stellar performance (57–40, 1.19 rating), shutting down multiple entries and keeping NiP in control. His accuracy and timing brought the Ninjas level in the series — 13–9.
- Ancient — Gentle Mates complete the comeback
The decider turned into a mental endurance battle. Gentle Mates read NiP’s rotations perfectly, breaking their setups and maintaining momentum. mopoz and MartinezSa came up big in crucial rounds, closing the map 13–10 and eliminating NiP with a 0–3 record.
Player of the Match — Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara
- K–D: 57–40
- ADR: 84.8
- KAST: 77.6%
- Rating 3.0: 1.19
Despite elimination, xKacpersky was the standout player — calm, consistent, and clinical in every duel.
fnatic vs MIBR
Result: 2–0 (13–3 Inferno, 13–5 Mirage)
- Inferno — fnatic domination
fnatic opened the series with flawless execution. blameF and KRIMZ shredded MIBR’s defenses, combining tempo control with explosive aggression. The 13–3 scoreline was a clear statement of superiority.
- Mirage — the finishing blow
The second map left no doubt. blameF delivered one of the best individual performances of the tournament (40–18, 2.08 rating), while KRIMZ and fear supported perfectly. fnatic closed the series 13–5 in total control.
Player of the Match — Benjamin “blameF” Bremer
- K–D: 40–18
- ADR: 112.5
- KAST: 88.2%
- Rating 3.0: 2.08
blameF led by example — precise, composed, and authoritative. His leadership was the cornerstone of fnatic’s revival.
Valve Regional Standings (VRS) Impact
The outcomes of these matches significantly shifted the global rankings:
- Gentle Mates climbed from 20th to 18th place, gaining +27 points (1452 → 1479 pt), re-entering the RMR qualification race.
- Ninjas in Pyjamas lost 10 points, dropping to 28th place (1375 → 1365 pt) — their toughest stretch in recent years.
- fnatic gained +21 points, strengthening their 22nd position (1430 → 1451 pt) and keeping playoff hopes alive.
- MIBR, meanwhile, lost 14 points, falling from 24th to 25th place (1409 → 1395 pt), concluding their Bucharest run in disappointment.
The Symbolism of the Day
The elimination day told two opposite stories — the rise of Gentle Mates and the rebirth of fnatic. Both teams proved that hard work, confidence, and structure can overcome any slump. For NiP and MIBR, however, it was a harsh reminder: without stability and modern adaptation, even legacy organizations can fall behind in today’s Counter-Strike.
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 continues to deliver drama and tales of resilience. Gentle Mates displayed heart, while fnatic showcased experience and strength. This day proved that in modern CS2, reputation means little — only those willing to fight to the end survive.
