The lower bracket final of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 became a decisive test for the Ukrainian team B8, who, after a series of victories, were determined to stay in the race for the next stage. Their opponent was the European hybrid squad Ninjas in Pyjamas, who, after losing to NAVI, sought to prove they could still compete for the top spots. The match ended in a confident 2:0 win for NiP, which was a heavy blow for B8 as they ended their tournament run.
Match Chronology
- Train (13:7, NiP’s pick)
NiP’s map choice proved to be on point. From the very first rounds, they established control over the game. With an aggressive start from r1nkle and stability from sjuush, the first half ended 10:2 in favor of the Europeans. B8 managed to take a few rounds in the second half thanks to npl, but NiP calmly closed the map 13:7.
- Dust2 (13:11, B8’s pick)
On their own pick, B8 tried to build intrigue. Their play looked more structured, and with headtr1ck and npl stepping up, the Ukrainians stayed level with their opponents. The first half ended 7:5, leaving room for a comeback. However, in the decisive moments it was NiP who showed discipline: xKacpersky secured several crucial entry frags, while ewjerkz added stability on defense. The final rounds sealed their confidence — 13:11 and 2:0 in the series.
Player Statistics
For B8, the standout was npl (40–32, Rating 1.29), who constantly took responsibility for the team. Headtr1ck also tried to support, but alex666 and esential had poor performances — the latter finished with an 18–34 score and a 0.67 rating.
Match Best Player
The deserved MVP was Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara, whose stability and aggressive play became the key for NiP.
- K-D: 38–28 (+10)
- ADR: 99.0
- Rating 3.0: 1.56
The Polish sniper not only won critical duels but also set the tempo for his entire team. His string of precise shots on Dust2 in the second half effectively crushed B8’s hopes of a comeback
Team Analysis
Ninjas in Pyjamas confirmed their maturity and readiness to fight for the title. Snappi organized rotations smartly, sjuush balanced the trades, r1nkle performed confidently with the AWP, and xKacpersky was the decisive factor in clutch moments.
B8, on the other hand, showed some structural progress, but the team still lacks stability. Their earlier victories looked impressive, but against NiP, the individual sparks of npl and headtr1ck weren’t enough. The underwhelming play of alex666 and esential proved especially costly.
Ninjas in Pyjamas secured a convincing 2:0 victory over B8, continuing their journey in StarSeries Fall 2025 and reinforcing their status as title contenders.
B8 end their run in the lower bracket final. For the Ukrainian squad, this was a performance that showcased their potential but also underlined problems with discipline and synergy. They still have a lot of work ahead if they want to compete on equal footing with Europe’s top teams.
