TL;DR
- Ninjas in Pyjamas defeated Evil Geniuses 2-1 in a major KL playoff upset
- PPD secured victory against his former team in a dramatic three-game series
- NiP advances to face Virtus.pro while EG drops to elimination bracket
- The victory marks NiP’s biggest achievement of the competitive season
- European squad demonstrates significant improvement against top-tier opponents

The second day of Kuala Lumpur Dota 2 Major playoffs delivered an unexpected outcome that captivated late-night viewers. European underdogs Ninjas in Pyjamas orchestrated a remarkable comeback story that few predicted.
Under the strategic leadership of Peter “ppd” Dager, the newly assembled European roster achieved a significant victory over North American powerhouse Evil Geniuses. This 2-1 series triumph not only advanced NiP through the upper bracket but also represented a personal victory for PPD against his former organization.
Initially, Evil Geniuses appeared poised to control the series momentum. Their core players demonstrated exceptional coordination and map awareness during the opening match.
Game one showcased EG’s signature aggressive style, with Syed “SumaiL” Hassan and Artour “Arteezy” Babaev establishing complete dominance over NiP. They capitalized on early gold advantages to snowball into an unstoppable force, securing victory in under 30 minutes through precise execution and objective control.
NiP responded with impressive resilience in game two, delivering an equally decisive performance. Mid laner Adrian “Fata” Trinks emerged as the pivotal player, demonstrating exceptional lane control and teamfight timing that completely shifted the series momentum.
The decisive third game emerged as the most intense and closely contested match of the entire series. While NiP established early kill advantages, EG maintained competitive gold and experience levels through efficient farming patterns. However, the North American squad failed to capitalize on NiP’s aggressive map movements, allowing the European team to maintain pressure and ultimately secure both the game and series victory.
This victory represents the most significant achievement for Ninjas in Pyjamas during the current competitive season. The team has demonstrated consistent performance against regional European opponents while previously struggling against elite international competition. Their ability to adapt mid-series against a top-tier team like Evil Geniuses signals substantial growth in strategic depth and mental fortitude.
For teams looking to improve their competitive performance, studying NiP’s comeback strategy provides valuable insights. Their ability to reset mentally after a decisive game one loss and implement adjusted tactics demonstrates championship-level preparation. Understanding team composition dynamics becomes crucial when facing adversity in tournament settings.
Common mistakes in similar high-pressure situations include overcommitting to early aggression without backup plans, failing to adapt draft strategies between games, and losing composure after initial setbacks. NiP avoided these pitfalls through disciplined play and strategic flexibility.
With this victory, Ninjas in Pyjamas guarantees at least a top-six finish and advances to face Virtus.pro for a spot in the upper bracket finals. This matchup presents another significant challenge against one of the world’s most dominant teams.
Evil Geniuses remains in contention in Kuala Lumpur but now faces the perilous lower bracket path. The elimination series against North American rivals Forward Gaming represents a must-win scenario for EG’s tournament survival. Teams should reference our complete competitive guide for similar high-stakes preparation techniques.
Advanced players can optimize their tournament performance by studying these high-level series. Key takeaways include the importance of flexible draft strategies, maintaining mental composure after losses, and executing coordinated map movements. The weapon selection strategies employed by both teams offer insights into meta adaptations under pressure.
Action Checklist
- Analyze NiP’s game two draft adjustments and identify three key changes from their game one strategy
- Practice resetting mentally between games by implementing a 5-minute reflection period after each match
- Study EG’s early game snowball tactics and replicate them in three practice matches
- Create a map pressure strategy document based on NiP’s game three movements
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » EG and NiP play wild series in Kuala Lumpur NiP stuns Evil Geniuses in KL Major upset, advances to upper bracket finals against Virtus.pro
