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 Staff Liquid discover themselves on the verge of elimination.

Having navigated its manner by way of 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 powerful 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 way of 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 in opposition to Aurora Gaming, Jakub ‘jcobbb’ Pietruszewski scored a vital one-versus-two clutch, turning the tide of the match within the Purple Militia’s favour. After avoiding an early elimination, FaZe Clan might 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 Staff Liquid, adopted by a second in opposition to 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 document in Stage 2 for Astralis is much from very best. It faces off in opposition to FlyQuest in a best-of-three to resolve which group stays within the stage and which one heads residence. 

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

Staff Liquid had its possibilities in opposition to B8, however the group was outclassed by Parivision, a group which continues to enhance because the battle for Stage 3 locations begins to warmth up. 

Under is an inventory of the entire third-round matches happening in Stage 2 of the Budapest Main:

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