NAVI and FaZe begin flawless

Iconic names from the world of Counter-Strike esports have returned to the forefront within the opening two rounds of the StarLadder Budapest Main 2025’s second stage. 

Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) and NAVI have opened their Stage 2 campaigns with two victories, whereas Astralis and Group Liquid discover themselves on the verge of elimination.

Having navigated its method by Stage 1, Ninjas in Pyjamas started with a 13-10 victory over Astralis, earlier than defeating TYLOO with a 13-8 scoreline. 

The Swedish organisation’s look within the Hungarian capital marks the primary time since 2023 that it has certified for a Main. After beginning Stage 2 with victories over skilled opposition, NiP is in a robust place to advance to the third stage. 

NAVI started its Main with a dominant 13-2 win over FlyQuest, laying the foundations for a second-round conflict with Imperial Esports. After surviving a late comeback, the Ukrainian organisation scored a 13-10 win on Mirage to maneuver inside one spherical of Stage 3.

Having scraped by Stage 1 by the narrowest of margins, FaZe Clan appears to have turned a nook in Stage 2, opening with wins over Ardour UA and Aurora Gaming.

In spherical 21 towards Aurora Gaming, Jakub ‘jcobbb’ Pietruszewski scored a vital one-versus-two clutch, turning the tide of the match within the Pink Militia’s favour. After avoiding an early elimination, FaZe Clan could have discovered the magic required to make a deep run.

Elsewhere, B8 has established itself as an early frontrunner in Stage 2. A gap victory over Group Liquid, adopted by a second towards Fnatic, cemented its place as Stage 2’s darkish horse. 

2025 marks the primary time in three years that Astralis has competed at a Counter-Strike Main. The four-time Main champion already finds itself on the again foot, having misplaced to NiP and M80 within the opening two rounds. 

A 0-3 report in Stage 2 for Astralis is much from very best. It faces off towards FlyQuest in a best-of-three to determine which crew stays within the stage and which one heads house. 

Regardless of displaying indicators of enchancment in regional tournaments following the return of Jonathan ‘EliGE’ Jablonowski, Group Liquid finds itself on the verge of one other early exit in Budapest after failing to attain wins towards B8 and Parivision. 

Group Liquid had its probabilities towards B8, however the crew was outclassed by Parivision, a crew which continues to enhance because the battle for Stage 3 locations begins to warmth up. 

Beneath is an inventory of the entire third-round matches going down in Stage 2 of the Budapest Main:

The third spherical of Stage 2 takes place on November thirtieth, with the primary groups trying to ebook their locations within the subsequent stage.