Upsets Shake Elite League Day 3: Nigma Galaxy and Nouns Bow Out Early

The Elite League's fourth day brought shockwaves as powerhouse teams Nigma Galaxy and Nouns faced unexpected eliminations, raising questions about their future in the fiercely competitive esports scene.

Despite boasting former major and International champions, Nigma Galaxy, led by the legendary Kuroky and the formidable Miracle, faltered early in the tournament. With high hopes pinned on their complete team restructuring, fans anticipated a triumphant return. Initially, they showed promise by convincingly besting Team Aurora with a 2:1 score, showcasing Miracle's unwavering skill. However, their momentum stalled when they encountered tougher adversaries, suffering three consecutive losses, including a devastating 0:2 defeat to Tundra and Secret, managing only a solitary map win against Talon Esports.

In another surprising turn of events, Nouns, a team that secured a top 7 placement at the previous International and bolstered their roster with the addition of Tal 'Fly' Azik from Shopify Rebellion, found themselves exiting the competition prematurely. Despite the wealth of experience brought by Fly from renowned teams like SR, EG, and OG, Nouns could only muster a single series victory against KEV. Succumbing to defeats against OG, PSG Quest, and VP, they left fans pondering the state of North America's ability to nurture talent or sustain financial backing in the esports landscape, particularly ahead of the next International.

Additionally, 9 Pandas and Rest Farmers struggled to secure a single series win, each managing only one map victory out of six matches. KEV's journey mirrored their struggles, clinching a lone victory against 9 Pandas before succumbing to three consecutive 0:2 defeats.

As the Swiss stage draws to a close, tomorrow's matches will determine the final eight teams advancing to the main group stage. These contenders will clash with tier 1 competition such as Team Spirit, Falcons Liquid, and Gaimin Gladiators, setting the stage for intense battles and unexpected twists in the pursuit of esports glory.