Ewjerkz: “We tried to slow down our game” — NIP find momentum at the Budapest Major

Ninjas in Pyjamas rifler Michel “ewjerkz” Pinto says the team’s strong recovery at the StarLadder Budapest Major came from a simple tactical adjustment: slowing down the pace. The Portuguese rifler discussed NIP’s transformation in an HLTV interview after the team secured a 3–1 record to reach Stage 2.

“We tried to slow down our game… It’s better because we have more time to think,” Ewjerkz explained.

NIP bounce back after shaky start

NIP opened the tournament with a 7–13 loss against NRG, admitting they entered the server without the right energy. From there, the team stabilized with wins over Lynn Vision, FaZe, and a 2–0 victory against Fluxo, earning the exact result they aimed for coming into Budapest.

Ewjerkz highlighted that the turnaround stemmed from mindset and structure: bringing back the pace they practiced and boosting team atmosphere between matches.

Role shifts and rising confidence

The rifler also acknowledged his personal challenges since joining NIP. Initially expected to be the team’s main star, he has shifted into a more supportive firepower role after the arrival of Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara. Despite that, Budapest offered a reminder of his high ceiling — including a standout 1.85 rating on Train.

“I’m still not playing to my level… but having a good game now gives me confidence for the next stage,” he said.

A long-term project under Snappi

NIP’s rebuild under Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer continues to focus on structure and development. Both Ewjerkz and Snappi have described the lineup as a long-term project in the new Valve Regional Standings (VRS) era, where teams must grind consistently to qualify for elite events.

Snappi previously stated that working with a young core — including r1nkle, xKacpersky, and Ewjerkz — represents a “fresh start” after a difficult 2024. Teammate sjuush echoed similar sentiments in his own interviews, calling the project a chance to build something “from scratch” despite starting from zero VRS points.

Looking ahead: Major playoffs in sight

With Stage 2 on the horizon, NIP aim not just to qualify for the Major but to fight deep into the playoffs.

“At least making playoffs would be really nice… of course you want to win the Major,” Ewjerkz said.

The team’s improved structure, slower tempo, and renewed confidence could make NIP one of the most intriguing dark-horse contenders of the Budapest Major.