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NiP edges out G2 Esports to qualify for ELeague Major

WME|IMG is the co-founder of televised esports league ELeague. Pictured above is its studio in Atlanta. Kevin D. Liles for ESPN

Day 2 of ELeague Season 2 kicked off on Saturday with a blowout in Group B, ending with a highly anticipated grand final match, as Ninjas in Pyjamas defeated G2 to advance to the ELeague Major in January.

After losing a tough match to the Season 1 Champions Virtus.Pro on Friday night, Ninjas in Pyjamas managed to edge past G2 in the finals, winning 2-0.

NiP had a strong start to Map 1, opening up a 3-0 lead after they were able to plant the bomb in three consecutive rounds, building their economy early. However, G2's Cedric "RpK" Guipouy responded with a triple-kill in the fourth round, followed by a defusal in the sixth to get G2 back in the game 3-3. The momentum didn't last long for G2 as NiP rallied back with a high-powered offense to take a 10-5 first half lead. G2 started the second half with a much better approach, playing aggressively to get back the first three rounds, but they were shut down quickly by NiP's defense for a 16-8 record.

G2 were able to make a more compelling series during the second contest, as they stayed afloat; but they found themselves in a 9-6 deficit at halftime. The second half started in G2's favor as they were able to pick up four rounds consecutively on the defense to pick up a 10-9 lead. However, NiP respond with seven rounds against G2's defense as every Ninja accumulated two or more kills in multiple rounds. NiP will now join Virtus.Pro in the playoffs as the second seed from Group B come January.