The Team with a Realistic Chance to Win it All: NiP
This article is not about picking the obvious favorite and listing all the reasons why they are expected to win the trophy. Instead, I have chosen a team that may not be the popular pick but actually has a realistic chance to win it all. In this article, I will explain why I believe NiP has the potential to repeat their championship from two years ago.
Group Stage and Bracket Draw
In the group stage, some strong contenders will be knocked out, such as SK, Fnatic, or G2. However, NiP does not face the same pressure. They have been lucky in the group stage draws in the past, and the trend continues at ESL One Cologne 2016. Despite some close games against OpTic and an improved FlipSid3 team, NiP should have no issues in the group stage.
Opponents’ Issues Leading into the Major
Na`Vi seems to lack confidence after consistent grand final losses. Their key player, GuardiaN, has not been active in recent tournaments. Additionally, seized had visa issues and flamie has been sick. fnatic suffered a tournament loss recently and no longer seems invincible. As for SK, they come to Cologne after a disappointing loss in the grand final, and organizational struggles have affected their preparations. Astralis is missing Kjaerbye, and both Virtus.pro and EnVyUs have not been in great form. All these factors work in NiP’s favor and increase their chances of success.
The Addition of Nuke Helps NiP the Most
With the addition of nuke to the map pool, NiP has an advantage. Nuke used to be their go-to map, and opponents were hesitant to challenge them on it. NiP has put in a lot of work on nuke, which replaces inferno, a map they struggled on. This advantage in the map veto process can greatly contribute to NiP’s success.
The Chip on NiP’s Shoulder
Despite being immune to the community’s criticism, GeT_RiGhT is bothered by his own performance. NiP’s recent win at DreamHack Masters Malmo, though impressive, does not compare to a major victory. The current lineup is a top five team, and with players getting older, their chances of winning events will decrease over time. This motivates the team to go all-in and prove themselves by winning a major.
In conclusion, NiP may not be the bookies’ favorite, but they have a real chance to win the major. Plus, there’s always room for magic. Follow me on Twitter at @lurppis_.