While the Six Invitational 2018 Grand Final will probably remain as the greatest single match of Rainbow Six: Siege for a very long time, few could disagree that the 2020 Grand Final is hardly far behind.
The Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) had gone into that game with high hopes. While it was only their second-ever Grand Final, after the Season 6 Pro League Finals under Black Dragons, the Brazilians seemed to be the favourites.
Then-TSM coach Colby "Bagel" Smith had remarked that "the beast [they] had created", after beating the Brazilians in the Upper Bracket, would run through all of TSM's competition in the Lower Bracket, leaving his team to 'just' beat NiP again to take the caber home.
Ironically, that "beast" would come back to haunt TSM themselves, as they would lose to the Brazilians after dropping down to the lower bracket.
In the Grand Final, NiP seemed to be in full control. Despite already being a map down due to the Upper Bracket advantage to Spacestation Gaming, they had crushed their opponents 7-2 and 7-3 on the first two maps. And a short while later, they were leading 5-3 and had the defuser planted on the third and seemingly the final map.
Then, Javier "Thinkingnade" DeAndre Escamilla struck. João "Kamikaze" Gomes failed to hang on and the Brazilians had not only lost a chance to secure series point, but also the win. And perhaps, on some level, they had known.
As Spacestation Gaming later celebrated, the NiP players sunk down in their seats, deflated.
To their credit, they continued playing admirably well for a team that undoubtedly would have the ghosts from Montreal continue to haunt them for a while yet.
Second would be the finishing position for the Ninjas in Season 11 of the Pro League and they would even go on to win the Six August 2020 Major before finishing overall second in the BR6 2020 regular season.
While they could only managed joint-third at the BR6 2020 Finals, after a third place at the Six November 2020 Major, their 2020 performance would still be top-class.
In contrast, 2021 has been a lot more difficult for the team. It only managed fifth place in Stage 1 of the BR6 and only got to fourth at the Copa Elite Six.
While it has been tough, the Ninjas are hardly deterred. Their sights have been set on the caber long before 2020 and last year's loss has only intensified their desire to lift it. As such, to understand their approach better, SiegeGG spoke to team captain Gustavo "Psycho" Rigal.
Last year, your team was a mere two rounds away from being World Champions when that Clubhouse clutch completely changed things. How did the team dynamics change in that moment when Kamikaze lost that clutch and how awful did it feel to lose in such a manner? What was the biggest learning point from that loss?
In light of that, do I even really need to ask who are your most anticipated opponents?
While they will be your competitors, how amazing is it to you that Brazil will have the most teams at the event (six teams)?
How nerve-wracking was it when you were informed that you (and all the other Brazilian teams) could miss out on the Invitational? How did your team react?
Now that you have arrived in Paris, safe and sound, we'd just like to know how the journey transpired. How was your team helped to get into Paris? What are the safety precautions in place and how is Ubisoft assisting with practice inside your hotel while quarantining and how will they assist for the event itself?
Your team had shied away from a coach after Ar7hur's departure, until very recently. Why did you not have a coach for so long and what changed with Mity?
Your 2021 season has not gone according to expectations so far, with a fifth place in the BR6 and a fourth place in the Elite Six Cup. What has not quite worked out for a roster that has been unchanged for over a year and a half?
What is your opinion on the changed format for the Invitational and how do you rate your chances in the group?
How confident are you that you will take the caber home this time?
Is there anything you want to say to your fans and maybe your competitors?
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Catch Ninjas in Pyjamas next in action on the 12th of May at 12 PM BRT (UTC-3), when they take on MKERS live from Paris.