BC.Game Upsets Ninjas in Pyjamas with Convincing 2–0 Win to Reach IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2

BC.Game Defeat Ninjas in Pyjamas 2–0 to Qualify for IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2

BC.Game have sealed their place in Stage 2 of IEM Krakow 2026 after an impressive 2–0 victory against Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) in a lower-bracket elimination match of the Play-In stage. The win propels the Portuguese-led squad into the main group stage, while NiP’s run at the event comes to an end.

Match Context and Importance

This clash was a direct fight for survival in the Play-In bracket at IEM Krakow 2026, the first major CS2 LAN of the year and a key part of the competitive season. Both teams entered looking to advance into the upper tier of the tournament, where higher-seeded opponents await in Stage 2.

BC.Game entered the match off a tough loss to 3DMAX the day before but responded strongly when it mattered. Ninjas in Pyjamas had earlier bounced back from a tense series against Passion UA, keeping momentum before this elimination match.

Map Results

BC.Game controlled both maps of the best-of-three series:

• Dust2 – 13:7: BC.Game established control early. Despite NiP taking an initial 3-0 lead, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s opening kills helped shift momentum. BC.Game closed the first half with an 8-0 run on CT, effectively deciding the map.

• Nuke – 13:9: The second map was more competitive, with NiP and BC.Game tied 6-6 at halftime. BC.Game edged ahead in the second half thanks to strong CT side rounds and a key MAC-10 clutch from Denis “electroNic” Sharipov to seal the victory.

Key Performances

BC.Game’s lineup showed balanced contributions:

• s1mple (BC.Game): A standout performer with numerous opening kills and impact plays across both maps.

• electroNic: Provided crucial clutch situations, particularly on Nuke, helping secure vital rounds.

• krazy: Posted high damage and round impact, especially on Dust2.

NiP’s lineup featured notable efforts from players such as xKacpersky and r1nkle, but they weren’t able to sustain the momentum against BC.Game’s mid- to late-half surges.

Significance of the Win

By advancing through the Play-In bracket, BC.Game now joins the other qualified teams in Stage 2 of IEM Krakow 2026. Stage 1 has seen several elimination matches with varied results:

• FUT Esports defeated Team Liquid to progress.

• Astralis secured qualification with a 2–0 win over GamerLegion.

• PARIVISION and Aurora also moved forward with their victories.

At the same time, other teams like B8 and paiN Gaming have eliminated opponents to stay in contention, underlining the high stakes of Play-In.

What’s Next

Having locked in Stage 2 qualification, BC.Game will now prepare for the next phase of IEM Krakow, where competition intensifies as teams vie for deep runs and valuable points toward global rankings.