Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8 and Fnatic qualify for StarLadder Budapest Main Stage 2

Ninjas in Pyjamas, B8, and Fnatic have develop into the newest groups to safe a spot in Stage 2 of the StarLadder Budapest Main 2025. 

The trio of groups emerged victorious of their fourth spherical match, advancing with a 3-1 win-to-loss document.

After Fluxo emerged as a shock 2-0 contender, the Brazilian facet confronted off in opposition to a NiP group seeking to return one in every of Counter-Strike’s iconic manufacturers to the primary stage of a Main. 

Ninjas in Pyjamas seemed the superior facet from the outset, scoring 13-5 wins on Nuke and Practice to cement a convincing 2-0 sweep to lock in a Stage 2 place. 

For Fluxo, there’s nonetheless a possibility to qualify for the subsequent stage within the fifth and closing spherical, the place it should win its subsequent best-of-three to keep away from elimination.

Following a gap defeat to M80, Ukrainian organisation of B8 bounced again emphatically. Victories over The Huns Esports and Parivision arrange a conflict in opposition to Legacy, a group many had predicted to finish Stage 1 with a 3-0 document.

A powerful attacking show on Mud II secured a 16-12 additional time win, whereas medical offensive methods proved pivotal on Mirage. In consequence, B8 received 13-5 to finish a 2-0 victory. 

B8 is not any stranger to an upset end result at a Main, having bested Group Falcons in Stage 2 of the Austin Main. With potential matchups in opposition to a number of former Main winners within the second stage, there’s an opportunity of one other shock end result.

Regardless of a defeat to Fluxo in spherical two, Fnatic seemed like one of many stronger Stage 1 sides after overcoming RED Canids and Imperial Esports.

The UK-based organisation started on the again foot, with NRG dominating Mirage 13-3 within the opening contest. Fnatic stepped up a gear on Inferno to stage the sequence with a 13-10 scoreline, earlier than rounding out the sequence with a 13-9 win on Mud II to finish the reverse sweep. 

Fnatic’s victory over NRG marks the primary time for the reason that 2023 Paris Main that it has featured in Stage 2 of a Main.

Following a defeat to NiP in spherical three, FaZe Clan discovered itself in a must-win state of affairs in opposition to RED Canids in a bid to maintain its Main hopes alive. 

The Brazilians struck first on Mirage with a 13-7 win to place the Purple Militia on the point of elimination. An impressed efficiency from David ‘frozen’ Čerňanský on Nuke, nevertheless, stored FaZe Clan alive, scoring a 19-17 win in double additional time to power a deciding Inferno. 

With wind in its sails, FaZe Clan lastly sparked into life. A superior offensive show resulted in a 13-5 win and a slim 2-1 sequence victory. 

Elsewhere within the 1-2 class, Parivision battled GamerLegion for a spot in spherical 5, whereas Imperial Esports and The Huns Esports confronted off for one final shot at Stage 2 qualification. 

Imperial Esports took the opening Nuke 13-8, however The Huns seemed to reply again on Mirage. After managing to power additional time, the Brazilians held agency, taking the map 16-12 and a 2-0 sequence victory to ship The Huns residence.

After opening the Main with two straight defeats, GamerLegion continued its latest struggles after throwing away a nine-round lead on Overpass, giving Parivision a 16-14 win. 

Historic was a a lot nearer contest, with each side selecting up six rounds within the first half. Parivision closed in on match level with a five-round benefit, however GamerLegion diminished the deficit with some medical attacking calls. 

Additional time was required for a second time to separate the 2 groups, with Parivision rising victorious 16-12 to ship GamerLegion packing.  

Following the conclusion of Stage 1’s spherical 4 matches, consideration turns to spherical 5, the place the ultimate Stage 2 groups can be determined. 

The primary of three matches begins at 2 PM GMT, as six groups look to keep away from an early exit.