December 18th, 2006 – Dallas, TX – With high expectations coming into this event, despite last weeks dismal performance, NiP was a disappointment. This team has been consistently a top finisher at many tournaments this year, but seemed to hit a snag in the past two weeks. Last week at the WSVG Finals they finished well below expectations with a 7-8th place ranking along with two 16-2 blowout losses.

The Swedish team had a decent first day with their only big test coming against EG on Nuke, the map they lost to against EG at WCG. NiP managed to avenge that loss by defeating the top Canadian team by a score of 18-12. Their other match was against Anonymous5 where they cruised to a convincing 25-5 victory.

Day two saw NiP draw into Group BB along with ESWC Champions, Made in Brazil, Check Six and snowcone. NiP was expected to finish at least in the top two along with MiBR, but that was not the case. Losses in their first two matches of this group stage sealed NiP's fate leaving one of the World's best team stunned again.

Their first match of Stage II was against Check Six on CPL_Mill. Check Six took charge early on exploding out to a 5-0 lead before NiP was able to respond. However, x6 turned it back around and took the next two to increased their lead to 7-1. NiP managed to salvage the half by taking 6 of the remaining 7 rounds and only having a one round deficit at half time. NiP looked like they would be able to carry that momentum into the second half after winning the pistol round and subsequent two eco's. However, Check Six started to chip away and a huge deagle save win in the 12th round paved the way to victory as they would close out the half and win 16-14.

This first round loss forced NiP into a must win situation, and they were playing a much more internationally renowned team, MiBR. The map was on Train, and MiBR was able to start on the coveted defensive side. The ESWC Champions used this to their advantage and really take control early and cruised to a huge 12-3 lead. MiBR managed to win the pistol round and following eco rounds, guaranteeing them a tie and 12 rounds to work with to win the one round and take the match. A fourth round win by NiP and ace by zet in the fifth round made things interesting for a brief moment, but the deficit proved to be too much to overcome as MiBR would seal the victory by winning the fourth round.

With two losses to start the group, NiP is eliminated from the 2006 CPL Championship Finals finishing 17-32nd. They will now play their final game against snowcone on Dust2.