Snappi after NiP’s Bucharest exit: “A good reality check before the Major”

Ninjas in Pyjamas crashed out of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 with a 0-3 record after losses to SAW, HEROIC, and Gentle Mates — a sobering result just weeks after their runner-up finish at StarSeries Fall and Major qualification. “This wasn’t good enough,” in-game leader Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer told HLTV, stressing that limited practice time “isn’t an excuse” for going winless. He framed the defeat as “a good reality check for the Major,” adding that NiP “really need the hours.” 

Snappi pointed to missed utility, shaky timings, and CT-side slippage as recurring problems. NiP’s prep was “pretty limited” due to visa hiccups, a week scrimming with academy rifler “rud,” and Snappi briefly stepping away for the birth of his second child — but he reiterated that expectations were still playoffs at minimum. “It’s an excuse for not being at your A level, but this wasn’t good enough,” he said. 

How NiP fell to 0-3

0-1: Opening loss to HEROIC set the tone. (Match and event context) 

0-2: SAW pushed NiP to the brink in a 2-1 series (Ancient 13-5, Nuke 10-13, Train 16-14), sending them to the 0-2 bracket. 

0-3/eliminated: Gentle Mates closed the door, with NiP exiting last place; despite xKacpersky’s heroics, NiP bled too many 5v3s and crucial late-rounds. 

Roster/Preparation backdrop

NiP initially planned to field stand-in Tim “susp” Ångström while Snappi awaited his child’s birth, then received a late boost when Snappi made it in time; even so, the team had played a chunk of practice without him (and without coach Richard “Xizt” Landström at the event). 

Event picture: what’s happening around NiP

HEROIC first into playoffs: LNZ’s side hit 3-0 to qualify, underlining how punishing the Swiss stage was for slow-starting teams. 

Bucharest schedule: PGL Masters Bucharest runs Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2025 in Romania, with a $1.25M prize pool. 

Related quotes & storylines from Bucharest

To frame NiP’s situation heading into the Major, here are relevant snippets from other teams at the same event:

Astralis’ Victor “Staehr” Staehr on struggles: “I don’t know if it’s a mental barrier,” after a 0-2 to Legacy left them at 1-2 — another example of big names battling inconsistency in Bucharest. 

MIBR’s Epitacio “TACO/exit” de Melo (exit) on regrouping: “We are going to have a one-month bootcamp for the Major,” reflecting how teams are treating Bucharest as both a rehearsal and a wake-up call. 

What Snappi says needs fixing

Snappi’s priority list before the Major: tighten structure, re-sharpen team “agreements,” polish utility, and get back in sync — especially on CT sides, which “fell off” even as T-sides showed late improvement in Bucharest.