Heavy hitters begin StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 3 on front foot

Counter-Strike 2’s powerhouse rosters have started their StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3 campaigns on the front foot, with several notable names scoring two wins over the first two rounds. 

Team Spirit, MOUZ and FURIA began Stage 3 with two wins, while the likes of Team Liquid and 3DMAX find themselves on the verge of elimination.

Heading into the Major with three Tier 1 victories under its belt, FURIA cemented its place as the tournament favourites with a dominant 13-2 win over NAVI.

Despite the Ukrainian organisation taking two maps off the Brazilian organisation during the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 final, it was no match for FURIA’s defensive prowess. 

The momentum kept rolling for the team that topped December’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS). Imperial Esports managed to put up more of a fight, but FURIA still emerged victorious on Dust II with a convincing 13-5 scoreline. 

Despite a slight downward turn of form heading into the Major, Team Spirit quickly reaffirmed its place among the tournament contenders with clinical victories over Team Liquid and FaZe Clan in its first two rounds. 

Danil ‘Donk’ Kryshkovets kicked off his quest for a second Major title with a first-round pistol ace, laying the foundation for Spirit’s comfortable 13-8 win on Train. Against FaZe Clan, the world’s best rifler demonstrated his versatility with the AWP in hand, scoring another ace against the Red Militia. 

Following his second ace in two maps, there was no looking back for Team Spirit, taking Dust II 13-5 to move within one win of the playoffs. 

MOUZ’s incredible levels of consistency prevailed in a hotly contested first-round clash against Parivision. The German organisation found itself on the back foot, trailing by two rounds at the end of the first half. 

A strong attacking display in the second half of Overpass was enough to force overtime over the ESL Challenger League winners. MOUZ closed out the map, overturning the deficit to win 16-14. 

The second-round match against B8 was a more straightforward affair for the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 champions, taking Overpass 13-6 to advance into round three, needing one more win for another playoff appearance.

Following the first two rounds of Stage 3, several notable teams head into round three with a win and a loss to their name. 

Having overcome Team Vitality in round one, FaZe Clan was bested by Team Spirit in round two, denying any opportunity to qualify at the earliest chance. After a defeat to FaZe Clan, the Austin Major winners bounced back against 3DMAX in a battle of the French organisations. 

Elsewhere, Team Falcons’ 13-match Ancient win streak came to an end at the hands of B8, the team that beat the Saudi Arabian organisation on the same map at the previous Major. Despite the first-round loss, the Falcons swept aside Passion UA to stay in contention for the top eight. 

After failing to win any of its opening matches, Parivision, Team Liquid, Passion UA, and 3DMAX are already at risk of elimination. A defeat in the first best-of-three will bring an end to their run at the Major at the last hurdle before the event heads to Budapest’s MVM Dome.

Round three of the StarLadder Budapest Major takes place on December 5th, where the first wave of teams will earn a place in the arena while those without a win are sent packing.