FaZe Clan and NAVI have change into the primary two groups to qualify for Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Main 2025.
The pair efficiently superior to the ultimate Swiss stage of Counter-Strike’s greatest match with a flawless marketing campaign, profitable the primary three rounds.
FaZe Clan’s Stage 2 marketing campaign in Budapest was a stark distinction to its Stage 1 struggles. After barely making it via the opening stage, the worldwide roster seemed like a special group, scoring an surprising 13-10 victory over Aurora Gaming in spherical two.
An in-form Ninjas in Pyjamas seemed to place a halt to any FaZe Clan momentum in a bid to return the enduring identify to the ultimate stage of a Main for the primary time because the introduction of the three-stage format.
Inferno and Nuke required additional time to find out a winner, however FaZe Clan held its personal to change into the primary group to earn a 3-0 file.
NAVI confronted off towards B8 in an all-Ukrainian conflict for one more spot in Stage 3. NAVI opened the sequence on the entrance foot, taking Practice 13-6 to maneuver one other step nearer to the Main’s subsequent part.
With the momentum in its favour, NAVI shortly established an early lead within the opening eight rounds of Mirage. B8 managed to scale back the deficit, ending the half with a 7-5 scoreline in favour of NAVI.
2024’s Copenhagen Main champion prolonged its slender benefit within the second half, with Mihai ‘iM’ Ivan main the cost on the high of the leaderboard. B8 purchased the map to a two-round hole, earlier than NAVI raced away to take a 13-8 win and a 2-0 sweep to advance.
Group Liquid And Astralis Survive
After starting Stage 2 with two defeats, the pair of Astralis and Group Liquid discovered themselves on the verge of an early elimination. Astralis required a victory over FlyQuest in a best-of-three to earn one other shot at qualifying, whereas Group Liquid battled towards MIBR.
FlyQuest’s spectacular run via Stage 1 got here to an finish by the hands of the Danish aspect, with Astralis securing a 2-0 sweep, sending the Australians out of the Main regardless of a promising begin.
Group Liquid started Inferno on the entrance foot earlier than surviving double additional time on Mirage to emerge victorious with a 2-0 sweep of its personal to assert its place in Stage 2’s fourth spherical.
The Battle For Stage 3 Intensifies
Outdoors of the qualification and elimination matches, groups with a 1-1 file competed in one other set of best-of-ones. M80, 3DMAX, Parivision, and Imperial Esports all emerged victorious, shifting to a 2-1 file and a step nearer to the subsequent stage.
For TYLOO, Ardour UA, Fnatic, and Aurora Gaming, defeat in spherical three places strain on spherical 4, the place a best-of-three will determine in the event that they advance or head house.
What’s Subsequent For StarLadder Budapest Main?
With the primary three rounds of Stage 2 full, the stakes are raised as consideration turns to spherical 4, happening on December 1st.
Three extra groups will earn their place in Stage 3, whereas the Main marketing campaign of one other trio involves an finish.
