G2 secured a crucial 2–0 victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas in the Swiss decider of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 1, eliminating the Swedish organization and advancing to Stage 2 of the tournament. The series was defined by a standout performance from Matuš “MATYS” Šimko, who dominated across both maps and finished the match with a 1.79 rating, earning the Player of the Match award. For NiP, the defeat ends their run in Stage 1 after a turbulent Swiss campaign, while G2 survive the elimination match and continue their journey in the tournament.
Road through Stage 1
Both teams had a difficult road leading into this elimination match.
G2
- Defeated Gaimin Gladiators (2–0)
- Lost to Legacy (0–2)
- Beat M80 (2–1)
- Lost to paiN (0–2)
- Defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas (2–0)
Despite an inconsistent start, G2 managed to recover in the decisive match.
Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Lost to Legacy (1–2)
- Lost to M80 (1–2)
- Beat Gaimin Gladiators (2–0)
- Beat NRG (2–1)
- Lost to G2 (0–2)
NiP showed signs of improvement mid-stage but ultimately fell short in the final elimination series.
Map 1 — Anubis (13–10 G2)
The series opened on Anubis, the map pick of Ninjas in Pyjamas, but the early momentum quickly shifted toward G2. NiP initially managed to keep the scoreline competitive, trading rounds in the early stages thanks to solid rifle work from juush and k1to, but G2 gradually found control on the defensive side.
MATYS immediately made his presence felt, consistently winning key duels around mid and B connector, disrupting NiP’s default setups. His impact rounds helped G2 build a lead as the half progressed.
After the side switch, NiP attempted to recover by tightening their defensive setups and slowing the pace of the game. However, G2’s mid-round calling proved decisive. Several well-timed executes allowed them to break through the defense and maintain the advantage.
Despite a late push from the Swedish side, G2 closed the map 13–10, putting themselves just one map away from qualification.
Map 2 — Dust2 (16–13 G2)
The second map, Dust2, turned into a far more chaotic and back-and-forth battle. NiP showed a stronger start this time, winning several early rounds and putting pressure on G2’s economy. juush continued to perform well individually, keeping the Swedes in the fight with impactful multi-kills.
However, once again MATYS became the difference maker. The Slovak rifler repeatedly cracked open rounds with aggressive entries and clutch plays, giving G2 crucial momentum swings whenever the match seemed to tilt in NiP’s favor.
As the map moved into the late rounds, the tension increased with both teams trading blows. G2 eventually managed to stabilize their economy and string together the rounds needed to close the map 16–13, completing the 2–0 sweep.
Match statistics
Player of the Match — MATYS
The undisputed star of the series was MATYS, who delivered one of the most dominant individual performances of the stage. His final numbers underline the impact:
- 49–29 K-D
- 100.1 ADR
- 75% KAST
- 1.79 rating
From opening duels to late-round clutches, MATYS consistently found ways to create advantages for G2 and was instrumental in securing their qualification.
VRS impact
The result also carried implications for the Valve Regional Standings (VRS).
- G2: gain +8 points, strengthening their position around the top 12 in the ranking.
- Ninjas in Pyjamas: lose 8 points, further complicating their fight for stable Major-cycle positioning.
For teams fighting for invites to upcoming Tier-1 tournaments, every VRS point remains critical.
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What’s next
With the win, G2 advance to Stage 2 of ESL Pro League Season 23, where the level of competition will rise significantly as the remaining teams join the tournament. For Ninjas in Pyjamas, the focus now shifts toward upcoming events and rebuilding momentum after another disappointing exit from a major international tournament.
