NAVI has claimed its first Counter-Strike championship since 2024 after successful StarLadder StarSeries Season 19 in Budapest, Hungary.
The Ukrainian esports organisation defeated Ninjas in Pyjamas within the Grand Last, securing the trophy and $200,000 (~£148,229) in prize cash.
Because of its place in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), NAVI started the event within the higher bracket and was placed on the again foot instantly after conceding the opening map towards 9INE.
The expertise of NAVI shone by way of within the the rest of the collection, because it defeated the European roster 2-1 to advance to the following spherical.
With momentum in its favour, NAVI swept apart a new-look Ardour UA roster with ease, organising a conflict with Ninjas in Pyjamas within the higher bracket remaining. The Ukrainians continued to reveal medical coordination, defeating the Ninjas 2-0 to safe the primary Grand Last spot.
Ninjas in Pyjamas managed to battle previous B8 within the decrease bracket remaining, organising an higher bracket rematch within the Grand Last. Regardless of Ninjas exhibiting indicators of life, NAVI’s superior defence made the distinction, taking the collection 2-0 to spherical off a powerful marketing campaign.
Even with a rocky begin, NAVI confirmed its dominance after heading into the occasion as a heavy favorite. The win is the primary because the organisation gained IEM Rio 2024.
Failure to qualify for the LAN phases of BLAST Bounty Season 2 and BLAST Open London, mixed with early elimination from the Esports World Cup 2025, led to requires the organisation to make additional roster adjustments.
After victory at StarLadder, NAVI turns its consideration to ESL Professional League Season 22, starting on September twenty seventh. One other sturdy efficiency in CS2’s long-standing league will cement the group’s place within the high 32, securing a spot on the StarLadder Budapest Main happening in November.
