Ninjas in Pyjamas Defeat Gentle Mates in Crucial STAKE Ranked Clash, Boost IEM Cologne Major Chances

Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) secured a pivotal victory over Gentle Mates at STAKE Ranked Episode 1, closing out day one with a 2-1 series win that significantly strengthens their position in the race for IEM Cologne Major qualification.

The high-stakes matchup between two direct rivals in the European ranking race proved decisive, as both teams entered the tournament separated by a narrow points margin. With only a handful of events remaining before the Major cutoff, every result carries major implications — and NIP delivered when it mattered most.

NIP Outlast Gentle Mates in Three-Map Series

The series began with Gentle Mates taking control on Nuke, capitalizing on strong coordination and mid-round execution to secure the opener.

However, NIP quickly recovered:

Overpass (13-11): A tightly contested map where NIP edged out the win in late rounds

Ancient (13-5): A dominant decider performance that sealed the series convincingly

The comeback showcased improved resilience from Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer’s squad, who have been working to stabilize their roster after recent adjustments.

r1nkle Leads as NIP Core Steps Up

Artem “r1nkle” Moroz emerged as the standout performer of the series, finishing with:

1.19 rating

51 kills

78.4 ADR

He was supported by:

Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara

Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer

Both players posted solid ratings above 1.00, contributing to NIP’s recovery after dropping the opening map.

On the opposing side, Alejandro “alex” Masanet delivered an impressive 1.31 rating, but his efforts were not enough to carry Gentle Mates across the finish line.

Why This Win Matters for the Major Race

This result could prove decisive in the battle for IEM Cologne Major invites.

NIP significantly reduced the gap to key competitors in the rankings

Gentle Mates were pushed into a lower-bracket scenario, increasing pressure on their remaining matches

With limited events left, this head-to-head victory acts as a potential tiebreaker advantage

According to pre-event projections, both teams were fighting for one of the final European spots, making this one of the most impactful matches of the tournament’s opening day.

Snappi: “We Just Need to Do the Job”

NIP captain Snappi emphasized the team’s mindset heading into crucial matches:

“We’re in the situation we put ourselves in so there’s nothing to cry about. We just need to come here and do the job.”

Speaking about the team’s recent development, he also noted:

“We needed some time to figure out how people react differently in the officials.”

These comments reflect a roster still adapting but beginning to show signs of cohesion at the right time.

Context: STAKE Ranked Episode 1 and the Road to Cologne

STAKE Ranked Episode 1 is one of the final LAN tournaments before the Major qualification cutoff, featuring a $100,000 prize pool and top-tier European contenders including:

G2

HEROIC

GamerLegion

BetBoom

9INE

For Gentle Mates, the pressure was already mounting after a disappointing exit at BC Game Masters, where they failed to secure critical ranking points. The loss to NIP further complicates their path to Cologne.

Meanwhile, NIP entered the event with some positive momentum, including earlier success in tier-two competition and a recent roster move confirming xKacpersky as a permanent addition.

What’s Next?

With the lower bracket now looming for Gentle Mates, their margin for error is gone. NIP, on the other hand, have taken a major step forward — but must maintain consistency to secure a Major slot.

As the European CS2 ranking race tightens, every map — and even every round — could determine who makes it to Cologne.