Team Liquid kept their BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026 campaign alive with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas in the Group B lower bracket. In a series that swung heavily from map to map, Liquid showed resilience after a crushing opening loss and completed a strong comeback to eliminate NiP from the tournament. The match highlighted Liquid’s ability to recover under pressure, while NiP once again fell short in a decisive series.
Path through the tournament
Both teams came into this elimination match after difficult runs in the group stage. NiP had previously fallen to PARIVISION in the upper bracket, which pushed them into this must-win scenario. Despite showing strong form on Nuke, they were unable to maintain that level across the series. Liquid, on the other hand, dropped down after a loss to Spirit. This victory allows them to stay alive in the lower bracket and continue their fight in Rotterdam.
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Nuke — NiP dominate early (13–3)
The series began on Nuke, where NiP came out firing. Their defense completely shut down Liquid’s offense, with sharp rotations and strong individual performances across the board. NiP controlled the pace from start to finish, closing the map convincingly 13–3 and putting Liquid on the brink of elimination.
Mirage — overtime thriller (19–17)
Mirage turned into the turning point of the series. Liquid stepped up significantly, matching NiP round for round in a tightly contested battle. Neither side could close it in regulation, forcing overtime. There, Liquid held their nerve in key moments, winning crucial duels and clutches to edge out the map 19–17 and equalize the series.
Ancient — Liquid close it out (13–9)
On Ancient, Liquid carried their momentum forward. Their structure looked far more stable, and they managed to control the tempo of the game. Despite some resistance from NiP, Liquid consistently found openings and secured a 13–9 win to complete the reverse series and eliminate their opponents.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the Match — Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara
Across three maps:
- 59–55 K-D
- 94.4 ADR
- 71.6% KAST
- 1.24 rating
His consistent fragging and ability to deliver in crucial rounds made him the standout performer of the series.
VRS impact
The result had a noticeable effect on the Valve Regional Standings. Liquid gained +47 VRS points, significantly improving their position, while NiP lost −16 points following their elimination.
Team reactions
NiP reacted emotionally after the loss:
Heartbreaking Decent showing but we fall to Team Liquid… That’s it for us at BLAST Premier.
Liquid, meanwhile, shared a more upbeat response following their first win with the updated lineup. Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa commented:
Beat NIP! First W with da boyz after 3 days of prac, not too shabby I’d say, we go again tmrw!
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What’s next
Liquid advance further in the lower bracket, where every match remains do-or-die. NiP, meanwhile, exit the tournament after a series that showed promise but ultimately ended in disappointment.
