NIP Declare Themselves “Best Team in the World” After Beating 100 Thieves
NIP opened their StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Europe Closed Qualifier campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 100 Thieves, and the confidence inside the camp was immediately evident afterward. Following the series, a member of the team jokingly stated that NIP had become "the best team in the world at the moment" after defeating 100 Thieves. According to Cybersport.ru, the comment was delivered in a light-hearted manner following the opening win.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | NIP |
| Opponent | 100 Thieves |
| Tournament | StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Europe Closed Qualifier |
| Result | NIP won 2-1 |
| Maps | Inferno 10-13, Nuke 13-9, Anubis 13-10 |
| Main talking point | NIP joked they were "the best team in the world" after the victory |
| Status | Post-match comment, not an official ranking |
NIP Start Qualifier With Statement Victory
NIP recovered after losing Inferno before taking Nuke and Anubis to complete the reverse series win.
NIP survived a competitive three-map battle against 100 Thieves, recovering after dropping Inferno before winning both Nuke and Anubis to secure their first victory of the closed qualifier. The win moved the European squad into the winners' side of the group, while 100 Thieves dropped into the elimination path.
Following the match, the team celebrated the result with a humorous remark suggesting that defeating 100 Thieves meant they had become "the best team in the world at the moment." According to Cybersport.ru, the quote should be viewed as playful post-match confidence rather than an official competitive claim.
The victory continues a positive recent trend for NIP, who have now beaten 100 Thieves multiple times during 2026, including their previous meeting at the CCT Global Finals.
Background and Context
Although the quote attracted attention, it came after an important victory in a qualifier rather than a championship final.
NIP entered the qualifier as the higher-ranked side and were considered slight favorites before the match. The opening round of the Swiss-style group is significant because it determines each team's path through the event, but it does not directly qualify anyone for the main event. Both teams still need additional victories to secure one of the available StarSeries slots.
The match itself highlighted NIP's resilience:
Lost Inferno
Rebounded on Nuke
Closed the deciding Anubis
Top performer xKacpersky delivered the highest individual rating of the series according to HLTV.
Why This Matters
xKacpersky delivered one of the strongest individual performances of the series, helping NIP secure the deciding map.
The comment itself is unlikely to affect the competitive landscape, but it illustrates several important points:
NIP's confidence appears to be growing.
The roster continues building momentum after recent positive results.
Winning opening qualifier matches reduces immediate elimination pressure.
100 Thieves now face a more difficult route through the bracket.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 July 2026 | NIP defeat 100 Thieves 2-1 in the StarLadder closed qualifier opening match. |
| Immediately after | Humorous "best team in the world" comment is reported by Cybersport.ru. |
| After the win | NIP advance to the Winners' Match. 100 Thieves move to the elimination side. |
Key Details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Winner | NIP |
| Loser | 100 Thieves |
| Final Score | 2-1 |
| Tournament Stage | Group Opening Match |
| Tournament | StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Europe Closed Qualifier |
| Notable Player | xKacpersky |
| Quote Status | Reported post-match joke |
Tactical Impact
While the quote grabbed headlines, the match itself demonstrated NIP's ability to recover during a best-of-three.
After losing Inferno, the team successfully adapted on Nuke before closing out Anubis. That resilience is encouraging for a roster attempting to qualify for another major international event, although one qualifier victory alone is not enough to judge long-term form.
Tournament Impact
The victory sends NIP to the winners' side of the closed qualifier while 100 Thieves continue through the elimination bracket.
The victory keeps NIP on the upper side of the qualification bracket, meaning they remain closer to securing a StarSeries Fall 2026 main-event berth.
Meanwhile, 100 Thieves now have less room for error after falling into the elimination route.
What Changes Now?
For NIP:
Better position in the qualifier.
Confidence boost heading into later rounds.
Opportunity to qualify without dropping into elimination matches.
For 100 Thieves:
Must recover through the lower side of the group.
Increased pressure in upcoming matches.
What to Watch Next
The biggest question is whether NIP can back up the confident post-match comments with consistent performances.
Key storylines include:
Can NIP convert this strong start into qualification?
Will 100 Thieves recover from the opening defeat?
Can NIP continue improving against higher-ranked opposition later in the event?
FAQ
Did NIP officially become the world's No. 1 team?
No. The statement was a humorous post-match comment and does not reflect any official world ranking.
Who did NIP defeat?
NIP defeated 100 Thieves 2-1 in the opening group match of the StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 Europe Closed Qualifier.
What was the map score?
Inferno — 13-10 (100 Thieves)
Nuke — 13-9 (NIP)
Anubis — 13-10 (NIP)
Does this qualify NIP for StarSeries?
No. The victory improves their position, but additional wins are required to earn qualification.
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