100 Thieves Eliminate NIP to Reach Roman Imperium Cup V Playoffs — Recap & Context

100 Thieves Eliminate NIP to Reach Roman Imperium Cup V Playoffs — Recap & Context 

The group stage of the Roman Imperium Cup V, a Valve Tier-2 Counter-Strike 2 LAN event in Portugal, came to an exciting conclusion on Friday evening, highlighted by a dramatic three-map victory for 100 Thieves over Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP). This win secured the North American side a place in the playoff bracket and marked a significant milestone in 100 Thieves’ return to competitive CS2 play. 

The Roman Imperium Cup V is taking place from February 19 to 22, 2026, in Vila Nova de Gaia, featuring numerous international teams competing in a traditional group-to-bracket format. It’s organized by KKM and classified as a B-Tier CS2 tournament, drawing a mix of established and rising squads from the global scene. 

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A Rough Start, But a Strong Finish

100 Thieves’ journey through the group stage was far from smooth. In their initial encounter with Ninjas in Pyjamas in Group D, the Swedish outfit devastated their opponents on Nuke, winning 13–2 in a best-of-one opening match. The dominant performance was one of the most one-sided results of the stage, leaving 100 Thieves on the brink of elimination early in the event. 

Both teams were grouped with BESTIA and Monte, meaning the path to the playoffs involved navigating a challenging mini-bracket. After the opening defeat, 100 Thieves bounced back by eliminating BESTIA in a decisive match, setting up a rematch against NiP for the final spot in the playoffs. 

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The Decider: 100 T vs. NiP — Map by Map

The rematch was a best-of-three affair that unfolded as follows: 

• Map 1 — Dust2: 100 Thieves opened strong, taking Dust2 13–7.

• Map 2 — Nuke: NiP fought back to level the series with a 13–9 win, echoing their earlier dominance on the map.

• Map 3 — Ancient: The decider was tightly contested and ultimately went to OT, with 100 Thieves clinching it 16–12 to seal a 2–1 series win and their playoff spot.

Standout performers for 100 Thieves included William “sirah” Kjærsgaard, who posted a 1.22 rating, and André “Ag1l” Gil, with a 1.20 rating — both key to the team’s resurgence after their rough opening game. NiP’s elimination marked one of the tournament’s bigger surprises, considering their extensive experience and established legacy in Counter-Strike. 

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About the Teams

100 Thieves
This organization returned to CS2 LAN competition after a lengthy absence from top-tier Counter-Strike events. Their current roster blends experienced veterans with rising talents, positioning them as a team with both historical prestige and future potential. Their performance here represents a strong start in this new competitive chapter. 

Ninjas in Pyjamas
Founded in 2000, NiP is one of the most storied names in Counter-Strike history, with deep roots and a legacy of success across multiple game versions. Their group-stage exit at Roman Imperium Cup V is notable given their pedigree and status within the global CS community. 

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Playoffs and Broader Tournament Picture

With Group D decided, other teams had already booked their playoff berths:

• BetBoom and fnatic progressed from Group C at the expense of SAW and Oramond, respectively.

• Passion UA advanced from Group B alongside HOTU — with Passion UA making their debut at the event and featuring Santino “try” Rigal as a key contributor.

• In Group A, Gentle Mates and Betclic booked their spots, with Betclic clinching theirs via a decider match win over EYEBALLERS.

The quarter-final schedule sees 100 Thieves facing HOTU, while other playoff matchups include Gentle Mates vs. Passion UA and BetBoom vs. an unnamed opponent. These playoffs mark the culmination of the event, determining which teams advance towards the championship and prize placements. 

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Significance of the Result

100 Thieves’ victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas stands as a milestone in their recent CS2 journey, symbolizing not just a tournament advancement but the viability of their roster’s competitive potential on LAN. Meanwhile, NiP’s group-stage elimination will likely prompt reflection as they prepare for future events. This Roman Imperium Cup V showed that even storied organizations can face early exits in tightly contested Tier-2 LAN settings.