NiP, Aurora & MIBR Advance To Playoffs

The playoffs bracket for the PGL Astana 2025 tournament has been solidified, showcasing a formidable lineup of eight elite Counter-Strike 2 teams that will compete in a single-elimination format at Barys Arena starting Friday, May 16. Notable qualifiers include Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP), Aurora, and MIBR, who secured their spots on the final day of the Swiss stage.

NiP’s Tenacious Triumph Over G2

Ninjas in Pyjamas clinched their first tier-one playoff berth with a remarkable 2-0 victory over G2 Esports in a critical round five decider. Entering the matchup as the favorite according to major esports betting platforms, NiP had already recorded wins against Virtus.pro and HOTU. Their do-or-die encounter against G2 proved to be pivotal.

The absence of star rifler Nemanja “huNter-” Kovač severely impacted G2, compelling Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa and Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko to shoulder the offensive efforts. After a series of stellar performances, malbsMd ran out of steam, while NiP capitalized on a key momentum shift during Dust2, fueled by standout plays from Michel “ewjerkz” Pinto and Rafael “arrozdoce” Wing.

G2’s struggles in converting pistol rounds into effective control were starkly evident on Nuke. Despite Janusz “Snax” Pogorzelski igniting a brief resurgence with an audacious knife kill, NiP maintained their composure on defense. Artem “r1nkle” Moroz sealed the match triumph with a stellar AWP quad-kill, marking NiP’s playoff debut and securing a prize of $62,500.

Aurora’s Comeback Against ODDIK

Aurora charged into the quarterfinals with a commanding 2-0 victory over ODDIK, overcoming a rocky start to their PGL Astana campaign. After an unsuccessful first attempt against Natus Vincere, the Turkish squad demonstrated resilience and strategy in their rematch.

Under the leadership of Ismailcan “XANTARES” Dörtkardeş, Aurora exhibited masterful control across both Dust2 and Anubis, thwarting ODDIK’s efforts to gain momentum. ODDIK’s inspiring run—featuring upset victories over G2 and paiN Gaming—came to an abrupt end, as they managed a mere six rounds per map in their final two encounters with FURIA Esports and Aurora.

In a post-match interview, Engin “MAJ3R” Küpeli cited preparation challenges due to an earthquake in Istanbul and travel complications. “We came here not in the best shape… It’s not the only reason we didn’t play well, but it added to everything,” he remarked.

MIBR Stuns Virtus.pro in Decider

MIBR completed the playoff lineup with an exhilarating 2-1 upset over Virtus.pro. The Brazilian team rebounded from an initial loss on Mirage to seize the decider on Ancient, thanks to multiple standout moments from Rafael “saffee” Costa.

Virtus.pro’s Mirage selection appeared promising initially; however, MIBR regained momentum, finishing at 13-11. The subsequent matchup on Anubis was one-sided in Virtus.pro’s favor, prompting a decisive third map. Ancient proved to be the most closely contested of the series. After MIBR took early control, Virtus.pro briefly surged ahead 9-8 but faltered in the final stretch. Saffee’s triple kill at 11-10 and a crucial 1v2 clutch in the last round sealed the series.

Upcoming Quarterfinal Matches

• The MongolZ vs Aurora – May 16 @ 10 AM UTC+5
  A rematch of their IEM Katowice bout, where the MongolZ previously triumphed over Aurora. This will be their seventh face-off since the start of 2024.

• Natus Vincere vs Astralis – May 16 @ 1 PM UTC+5
  A monumental clash between two tactical powerhouses, promising an exhibition of strategy and skill.

• FURIA vs MIBR – May 16 @ 4 PM UTC+5
  Eyes will be on young AWPer Danil “molodoy” Golubenko as he makes his arena debut in front of a hometown crowd.

• Spirit vs Ninjas in Pyjamas – May 16 @ 7 PM UTC+5
  Tournament favorites Spirit will square off against a revitalized NiP, eager to create an upset.

This playoff bracket sets the stage for thrilling matchups that could redefine the landscape of competitive Counter-Strike 2. Managers, coaches, and fans alike will be eagerly watching as these elite teams vie for victory in a high-stakes environment.