The MongolZ make history by winning YaLLa Compass 2024
On Sunday, The MongolZ were crowned champions of the YaLLA Compass 2024 after a 2:1 victory over Ninjas in Pyjamas, winning their second consecutive international title. Earlier this month, they had already lifted the MESA Nomadic Masters Spring trophy. Now, the team is on the verge of making history, as they are set to compete for a third straight title next week, which could be a phenomenal achievement for such a distinctive squad. The Mongolians completed an impressive run in Abu Dhabi with another dominant performance against the surprise tournament leader, who started the match brightly but lost momentum as the game progressed.
The 2:1 score doesn’t fully reflect how much better MongolZ were in this final, which could have easily been a 2:0 series if Garimagnu “bLitz” Byamsuren’s squad had not dropped a round on the Ancient map, coming back from a 3:9 deficit. The remaining two maps were rather one-sided, as MongolZ outplayed their opponents convincingly, and Artem “r1nkle” Moroz, who was a candidate for the tournament MVP before the start of this match, was extremely ineffective in the decisive game. Nevertheless, this should not diminish the impressive debut of Ninjas in Pyjamas on the LAN stage. They appear to be legitimate contenders for the FiReLEAGUE 2024 Global Finals title, which will take place next week in Argentina. As for MongolZ, this victorious campaign further cements the opinion that they are the most underrated team on the scene at the moment. Next week, as part of the ESL Challenger Jönköping, they will attempt to make their trophy count 3:0, although they clearly have more ambitious goals.
Progress of the Match
Ninjas in Pajamas came out with a strong purpose and claimed a 4-1 victory on the Terrorist side on Ancient. r1nkle stood out with impressive statistics, including 186 ADR, a 3-0 record in opening duels, and 11 kills during that period. Fredrik “REZ” Sterner then took over, ending the half with a 16-5 KD run that propelled NIP to an impressive 9-3 lead. However, the IEM Oakland 2017 MVP was missing for most of the second half, giving MongolZ the opportunity to get back into the game. Thanks to a remarkable performance from bLitz, the Asians closed the gap, but were unable to deliver the decisive blow as Ninjas in Pajamas forced overtime and ultimately secured a 4-0 victory. In their first LAN match on Mirage since the addition of Isak “isak” Phalen to the roster, Ninjas in Pajamas started slowly, allowing The MongolZ to take a 6-0 lead. NIP then tightened up their defense and cut the gap to four rounds at the break, keeping their comeback hopes alive. The MongolZ increased their lead by winning the pistol round, but then gave their opponents a chance to get back into the game. Ninjas in Pajamas took advantage of this momentum and cut the score to 7-9 before The MongolZ rallied again and won four rounds in a row to secure the map victory. On Nuke, Ninjas in Pajamas took an early advantage on the defensive side, but lost control of the game when their opponents gained financial momentum. bLitz saved his team with a clutch 1v3 play, which prevented a hard reset of the economy and allowed The MongolZ to maintain confident control of the map. Just when it seemed like things were going badly for NIP, Max “maxster” Jansson saved his team with three kills from a Five-Seven in the eco round, which was a lifeline for the Swedes and cut the gap to 5-7. However, the Ninjas’ hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed. The only thing NIP managed in the second half was a 1v2 clutch from isak, while The MongolZ put on an impenetrable defense to close out the game and lift the trophy. The victory for The MongolZ was a testament to their resilience and adaptability. Despite facing a strong start from Ninjas in Pajamas, they were able to weather the storm and mount a remarkable comeback, showcasing their ability to overcome adversity and seize the initiative when it mattered most.
One of the key factors in The MongolZ’s success was the performance of bLitz, who proved to be a vital cog in their machine. His clutch play in the 1v3 situation on Nuke not only prevented a hard reset of the economy, but also provided a crucial morale boost for his team, allowing them to maintain their confidence and composure throughout the game. Equally impressive was the resilience and determination displayed by the Ninjas in Pajamas squad. Despite the setbacks they faced, they never gave up, constantly seeking opportunities to claw their way back into the game. The performance of players like r1nkle and REZ was particularly noteworthy, as they demonstrated their ability to dominate the early stages of the match and keep their team in contention. However, the absence of the IEM Oakland 2017 MVP proved to be a significant blow for Ninjas in Pajamas, as it allowed MongolZ to gain a foothold in the game and gradually wrest control away from their opponents. This highlights the importance of team balance and the need for all players to contribute consistently in order to achieve success at the highest level of competition. The match between Ninjas in Pajamas and The MongolZ was a true testament to the unpredictable and exciting nature of competitive Counter-Strike. Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses, engaging in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout. The eventual victory for The MongolZ was a well-deserved triumph, earned through a combination of individual brilliance, tactical acumen, and unwavering team spirit. As the esports scene continues to evolve, matches like this serve as a reminder of the incredible skill, dedication, and passion that players bring to the game. The Ninjas in Pajamas and The MongolZ squads have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the community, and their performance will no doubt inspire future generations of Counter-Strike enthusiasts to strive for greatness and push the boundaries of what is possible in this iconic game.
