{"id":344354,"date":"2026-01-28T20:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=344354"},"modified":"2026-01-28T20:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T20:24:21","slug":"liquid-send-nip-to-the-lower-bracket-at-iem-krakow-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/liquid-send-nip-to-the-lower-bracket-at-iem-krakow-2026","title":{"rendered":"Liquid send NiP to the lower bracket at IEM Krak\u00f3w 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Double-elimination tournaments always highlight the value of every victory. One match can not only change a team\u2019s mindset, but also determine their entire path through the tournament. These are exactly the kinds of series that separate teams aiming for a deep run from those who are forced to fight for survival right away.<\/p>\n

Tournament context<\/strong><\/h2>\n

IEM Krak\u00f3w 2026 Stage 1 is a ranked LAN stage of the Intel Extreme Masters series that directly affects the distribution of Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points. 16 teams compete in a double elimination Bo3 format: a win in the upper bracket grants the right to one mistake, while a loss immediately sends a team to the lower bracket, where every match becomes decisive.<\/p>\n

For Liquid, this series was a chance to cement themselves among the stable top-12 teams and confirm their readiness for the later stages. For Ninjas in Pyjamas, it was an opportunity to avoid early pressure from the lower bracket and keep control of their tournament path.<\/p>\n\n

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read more<\/p>\n

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\n BC.Game send Legacy to the lower bracket at IEM Krak\u00f3w 2026<\/a>\n \n
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Jan 28<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

How the match unfolded \u2014 Liquid vs Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Score: 2:0 in favor of Liquid<\/p>\n

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  1. Nuke (NiP pick) \u2014 13:6
    \nLiquid completely outplayed their opponent on their own pick. They won most of the opening duels, maintained solid economic control, and did not allow NiP to impose an aggressive style. EliGE, ultimate, and NertZ consistently applied pressure in key areas of the map, while Ninjas in Pyjamas looked lost in positional play. After the side switch, any intrigue practically disappeared.<\/li>\n
  2. Mirage (Liquid pick) \u2014 13:8
    \nOn their own map, Liquid further emphasized the difference in game structure. They read the opponent\u2019s rotations well, worked effectively in mid, and consistently closed rounds in clutch situations. NiP stayed in the game thanks to individual moments from sjuush, but overall control of the series remained with Liquid until the very end.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Player of the Match \u2014 Jonathan \u201cEliGE\u201d Jablonowski (Liquid)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    It was EliGE who became the key figure of this victory.<\/p>\n