With f0rest gone, Ninjas in Pyjamas is ready to break out again

The legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas organization underwent a complete transformation, transitioning from its iconic veteran lineup to an ambitious young squad positioned for future success. This strategic rebuild represents one of Counter-Strike’s most significant roster evolutions in recent years.

Over a carefully managed two-year period, CSGO’s historic Ninjas in Pyjamas team was systematically reconstructed. The process began gradually with Adam “friberg” Friberg’s departure in July 2017, which initiated a chain reaction leading to all founding members eventually departing. Long-serving head coach Björn “THREAT” Pers exited six months later, followed by strategic leader Richard “Xizt” Langström, legendary player Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund following the StarLadder Berlin Major, and culminating with Patrick “f0rest” Lindburg’s emotional departure in early 2020.

When f0rest left to join former teammates at DIGNITAS, NiP retained a core consisting entirely of emerging talent. Many industry experts expressed concern that without f0rest’s seasoned guidance and veteran presence, the inexperienced lineup might struggle to maintain competitive relevance. However, within six months of f0rest’s final appearance in the iconic black and white jersey, this revitalized squad has convincingly silenced its critics.

Initial statistical analysis revealed modest performance metrics for NiP’s first roster without original members. The team maintained a perfectly balanced 50% victory rate across recent months. Individual player ratings remained below the 1.11 threshold during this evaluation period, and the team consistently finished outside the top four in all participated events. Interestingly, their strongest competitive stretch occurred while f0rest remained active, achieving multiple third-place finishes during late 2019 tournaments.

Despite these statistical limitations, the reformed Ninjas in Pyjamas lineup has methodically ascended the competitive CSGO hierarchy, accomplishing this progression without relying on veteran leadership. They currently occupy the 11th global ranking position alongside established organizations frequently described as CSGO powerhouses: Evil Geniuses, Team Vitality, and mousesports. This positioning has remained remarkably stable despite f0rest’s absence, achieved through fundamentally sound strategic execution and disciplined gameplay.

Practical Team Analysis Tip: When evaluating young rosters, focus on consistent improvement patterns rather than isolated tournament results. Teams demonstrating progressive development often outperform squads with sporadic peak performances.

The revitalized NiP organization stands ready for competitive breakthrough. Their five primary competitors, Simon “twist” Eliasson, Fredrick “REZ” Sterner, Hampus “hampus” Poser, Nicholas “Plopski” Gonzalez Zamora, and Tim “nawwk” Jonasson, average just 22 years of age. They benefit from exceptional coaching infrastructure, with THREAT resuming head coaching responsibilities earlier this year. While possessing a mentor with nearly twenty years of Counter-Strike expertise provides undeniable advantages, observers frequently overlook that certain younger roster members already qualify as seasoned competitors.

Squad captain REZ has maintained continuous NiP affiliation since their previous major victory at IEM Oakland 2017, where he earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. He developed his skills under legendary CSGO figures including f0rest and GeT_RiGhT, ultimately persisting through multiple roster iterations beyond both veterans. He now guides an increasingly youthful lineup, integrating hampus as replacement for Jonas “Lekr0” Olofsson during May as the team’s new tactical commander.

Common Roster Building Mistake: Many organizations prioritize individual skill over team chemistry when constructing rosters. NiP’s approach demonstrates that balanced skill distribution with strong communication often yields superior long-term results compared to star-driven approaches.

The leadership transition has generated significant competitive dividends. This strategic shift exemplifies how proper in-game leadership development can transform team performance dynamics, particularly when transitioning from veteran-led to youth-driven rosters.

The organization benefits from THREAT’s extensive competitive background, which provides crucial strategic foundation for developing talent. His return represents one of the most significant coaching appointments in recent European Counter-Strike, offering the young roster access to decades of accumulated tactical knowledge and competitive experience.

Although NiP hasn’t achieved consistent championship victories, the squad regularly demonstrates glimpses of their considerable potential. They’ve competed remarkably closely against clearly superior opponents throughout DreamHack Masters Spring, BLAST’s European Showdown, and subsequent BLAST Premier Spring Finals. This promising young collective has advanced to playoff stages in three consecutive competitions, securing impressive victories against Astralis, MAD Lions, and OG. During defeats, the lineup maintained competitive intensity, with their narrow loss to Vitality on Dust 2 warranting particular attention.

The BLAST Premier elimination match concluded with a tight 16-13 decision favoring Vitality, but the capacity for such an inexperienced NiP team to nearly overcome a formidable Vitality squad on Dust 2 demands recognition. Similarly impressive moments include clutch performances where twist successfully executed one-versus-two post-plant scenarios using a FAMAS against dual AK-47 opponents.

Advanced Team Development Insight: Young rosters typically require 6-12 months to develop consistent competitive form. NiP’s progression timeline suggests they’re approaching this critical development phase.

As additional tournaments transition to online formats including ESL One Cologne, CS Summit 6, and the potentially rescheduled 2020 Major ESL One Rio, these environments provide ideal conditions for NiP to refine their competitive edge. Europe’s premier CSGO tier currently shows vulnerability, with Astralis confronting internal challenges and other top teams battling consistency issues. NiP has indicated they could emerge as the region’s most reliable contender if they successfully harness their developing capabilities. At this developmental stage, consistent playoff qualification represents positive indicators, even when concluding with narrow defeats in competitive matchups.

Enthusiasts can monitor NiP’s ongoing development during the upcoming Valve Regional Ranking competition, CS Summit 6 Europe, commencing June 24th.

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