Team Spirit and FURIA qualify for StarLadder Budapest Major playoffs

Team Spirit and FURIA are the first two teams to earn a place in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 playoffs. 

The pair advances to the MVM Dome after securing flawless 3-0 win-to-loss records during the Counter-Strike 2 tournament’s third stage.

The opening 2-0 match between Team Spirit and MOUZ demonstrated why both rosters are in the conversation for outright victory. Danil ‘Donk’ Kryshkovets continued to lead the charge in the fragging department, spearheading a dominant first half of Mirage to put the map out of reach. 

Four defensive rounds in the second half wrapped up a clinical 13-5 win to secure the early series lead. Despite another display of Donk domination, MOUZ responded on Train with a strong attacking display, earning a six-round advantage at the end of the first half. Despite a late Team Spirit comeback, MOUZ held on to win 13-10, levelling the series at one map apiece.

MOUZ’s defence proved fruitful in the first 12 rounds of Overpass, taking an 8-4 lead into the second half. A one-versus-two clutch from Ádám ‘torzsi’ Torzsás to keep the German organisation alive wasn’t enough, as Team Spirit completed the comeback to win Overpass 13-11, securing a 2-1 series victory and the first place in the playoffs.

Widely regarded as the favourites to lift the trophy in the MVM Dome, FURIA looked to round off its Stage 3 campaign against a G2 Esports side hoping to continue its strong start following wins over Passion UA and Imperial Esports. 

FURIA’s superior offensive strategy made the difference in the second half of Inferno, with four eliminations from Kaike ‘KSCERATO’ Cerato in a post-plant scenario halting any G2 momentum. The Brazilian organisation continued to break through the G2 defence, taking the map with a convincing 13-6 scoreline. 

Overpass began with Danil ‘molodoy’ Golubenko’s lightning-fast reaction times coming into their own. A one-versus-three clutch in the third round laid the foundations to build a 9-3 lead at halftime. G2 Esports wasn’t done yet. A one-versus-two clutch from Alvaro ‘SunPayus’ Garcia injected a breath of hope into the potential comeback. Despite its best efforts, FURIA held firm, taking the map 13-10 to complete the 2-0 sweep and a playoff place.

After earning a place from Stage 2, Team Liquid and Parivision aimed to go a step further as the underdog sides looked to spring a surprise against some established names. 

Team Liquid’s Stage 3 began with defeats to Team Spirit and The MongolZ, putting it immediately on the back foot. Losses to MOUZ and NAVI put Parivision in a similar position, needing to win the next match to stay in contention for a playoff spot. 

Parivision managed to take the early lead over 3DMAX, but the French side proved too strong for Dzhami ‘Jame’ Ali and co, losing Inferno and Overpass 13-8 to bow out of Stage 3 without recording a victory.

Team Liquid’s lack of offensive firepower proved problematic on Train. Despite earning a 9-3 lead in the opening half, Passion UA’s superior defence held strong in the second half, completing a 13-11 comeback. On Mirage, Passion UA opened with a sizable 10-2 lead in the first half. Liquid managed to reduce the deficit, but the gap was too great. Passion UA secured Mirage 13-10, sending Team Liquid packing with a 0-3 record.