NiP's shaky group stage: the Europeans only place third

posted by Brasozial,

The first group of the Dota PIT Minor is finished. Peter 'ppd' Dager and his team-mates lost their favorite status before the playoffs have even started. The European teams Ninjas in Pyjamas and Alliance have travelled to Split in Croatia to prove that Europe can also win Minors. Both teams want to be a threat to the top three of their region.

The team around TI5 winner ppd started in Group A and should have finished in second place at least - these were the expectations many fans had. Only Royal Never Give Up was expected to be a team that could surpass them in their group.

In the end, NiP not only lost against the Chinese team, but also against BOOM Esports on the third day of the group stage. ppd's game plan merely worked out against fng's AS Monaco Gambit.

The interesting part: in all three series NiP played at the Minor so far, they always won the first game. It seemed like ppd was prepared for his opponents, but didn't find the right answer to adapt in game two and three. For now, NiP still won't have to compete in the Lower Bracket since the group stage was just for the seeding. All teams start the playoffs in the Upper Bracket.

Winner bracket secured
— Peter Dager (@Peterpandam) 24. April 2019

Alliance nourish Europe's hopes

Alliance, the second European team in Croatia, is aiming for the first place in Group B. Aydin 'INSaNIA' Sarkohi and his team-mates won against EHOME with a 2-0 - including an incredible 71 minute match - and a 2-1 against Forward Gaming.

Next up is the biggest surprise of the event: Alliance will play against FreeStyle. The South American squad around Adrian 'Wisper' Cesperes beat EHOME and Forward Gaming although everybody expected them to finish last at the Minor.

Alliance and Majestic Esports will fight for the throne in Group B later today to determine the seeding for Dota PIT's playoffs.