Ninjas in Pyjamas have made a name for themselves because of their famous CS:GO team.
But on New Year’s Day, the classic organization signed its first Dota2 team, and now they’re going for the major titles.
– This is the biggest thing that has happened in the players’ careers and it’s also the biggest that’s happened in mine, team manager Linus Svensson tells Aftonbladet Esport.

Former Lajons players Adrian ”Era” Kryeziu, Simon ”Handsken” Haag, Elias ”Sealkid” Merta, Jonas ”jonassomfan” Lindholm and Joel ”Apemother” Larsson will be playing under the Ninjas in Pyjamas moniker from this year forward after signing their contract one day into the new year.

The story behind the recruitment started when Emil ”HeatoN” Christensen met up with manager Linus Svensson during the small LAN Birdie last summer. After several emails where they discussed the teams’ progress NiP finally made the decision to sign them late December 2014.
– HeatoN told me during Birdie that they watched us during the qualifiers for The International 4 and became impressed. Back then we were four swedes and a dane. NiP thought we looked interesting so me and Emil exchanged email addresses but I didn’t hear from him until they told me that the organization was interested in signing us, Svensson tells Aftonbladet Esport.

”Want to make sure everything feels alright”

Once it became clear that Lajons would be playing under a black and golden flag, they were told to create a document with details regarding what they wanted from the organization as well as information about the players and their views on how to play Dota2.
– When we were finished it contained ”the whole shebang”, Svensson says.

How long is your contract with NiP now?

– We’ve signed with them for a year, but they wanted us to sign up for two years.

Why did you only want to sign for a year?

– We want to make sure everything feels alright, and it probably will. Then we’ll just extend the contract.

”Right now we’re in a weird spot”

The new ninjas are right now in Kiev where they’re preparing to enter the Starladder Season 11 LAN finals. This night they’ll face Belarus team Power Rangers. The tournament in the Ukraine is a part of an offensive from the team with one main goal: To receive a The International 5 invitation.
– To get invited it’s all about being seen. But right now we’re in a weird spot where we have to focus a lot on practice but at the same time play a lot of tournaments.

What did the players do in their spare time before you signed with NiP?

– Most of them have been studying and they live in different parts of Sweden. This is the first time four of them will receive a salary for playing Dota2. The players who were studying have taken a break from that, because now Dota comes first.

Except Era, none of your players have been playing at a The International level. How do you think the others will react if you make it there? Is there a risk they will be starstruck?

– Were of course hoping that the other teams will be starstruck by us… but I don’t think so. But walking around with ”Ninjas in Pyjamas” on your back gives you some gravitas and the players have played against the biggest teams by now, so I’m not worried about that aspect.

”Gonna do all we can to stick together”

The esports community is ever-changing. Teams come and go, lineups disappear and reappear. There are constant player changes, something that is definitely true for the Dota2 community as well. The last couple of weeks have seen some major transfers where stars have switched teams.

The Ninjas in Pyjamas CS:GO squad on the other hand were known for sticking together over the years. With the exception of Robin ”Fifflaren” Johanssons retirement the team has consisted of the same players for over two and a half years.
– We’re gonna do all we can to stick together as well, but there could be times when we might have to change someone in the team if we get stuck, the manager says.

What’s the spirit like in the team right now?

– It’s really good. We focus a lot on team dynamics and the arguments we’ve had have been settled quickly. I think it will be the same when it comes to future arguments.

”Put a lot of focus on getting them to the gym”

How much time do you spend practicing right now?

– Right now, they play between seven or eight hours each day, both as a team and individually. Then you have to add all the competitive games we play. We put a lot of focus on getting the players to the gym, so they can manage to sit by their computers and perform at their max capacity during that time. We’re here to become the best and we have all of the tools to make it.

What will it take for you to reach the absolute top?

– I can confidently say that we wouldn’t have signed with NiP if we didn’t believe we can beat every team out there. Of course it’ll take a lot of training to compete with the Chinese teams for instance, or the other top teams from the west, but I believe we can do it.