Heavy hitters begin StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 3 on front foot

Counter-Strike 2’s powerhouse rosters have began their StarLadder Budapest Main 2025 Stage 3 campaigns on the entrance foot, with a number of notable names scoring two wins over the primary two rounds. 

Workforce Spirit, MOUZ and FURIA started Stage 3 with two wins, whereas the likes of Workforce Liquid and 3DMAX discover themselves on the verge of elimination.

Heading into the Main with three Tier 1 victories beneath its belt, FURIA cemented its place because the match favourites with a dominant 13-2 win over NAVI.

Regardless of the Ukrainian organisation taking two maps off the Brazilian organisation throughout the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 ultimate, it was no match for FURIA’s defensive prowess. 

The momentum saved rolling for the crew that topped December’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS). Imperial Esports managed to place up extra of a struggle, however FURIA nonetheless emerged victorious on Mud II with a convincing 13-5 scoreline. 

Regardless of a slight downward flip of kind heading into the Main, Workforce Spirit shortly reaffirmed its place among the many match contenders with scientific victories over Workforce Liquid and FaZe Clan in its first two rounds. 

Danil ‘Donk’ Kryshkovets kicked off his quest for a second Main title with a first-round pistol ace, laying the inspiration for Spirit’s comfy 13-8 win on Practice. Towards FaZe Clan, the world’s finest rifler demonstrated his versatility with the AWP in hand, scoring one other ace towards the Crimson Militia. 

Following his second ace in two maps, there was no trying again for Workforce Spirit, taking Mud II 13-5 to maneuver inside one win of the playoffs. 

MOUZ’s unbelievable ranges of consistency prevailed in a hotly contested first-round conflict towards Parivision. The German organisation discovered itself on the again foot, trailing by two rounds on the finish of the primary half. 

A powerful attacking show within the second half of Overpass was sufficient to drive additional time over the ESL Challenger League winners. MOUZ closed out the map, overturning the deficit to win 16-14. 

The second-round match towards B8 was a extra simple affair for the PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 champions, taking Overpass 13-6 to advance into spherical three, needing yet one more win for one more playoff look.

Following the primary two rounds of Stage 3, a number of notable groups head into spherical three with a win and a loss to their title. 

Having overcome Workforce Vitality in spherical one, FaZe Clan was bested by Workforce Spirit in spherical two, denying any alternative to qualify on the earliest likelihood. After a defeat to FaZe Clan, the Austin Main winners bounced again towards 3DMAX in a battle of the French organisations. 

Elsewhere, Workforce Falcons’ 13-match Historic win streak got here to an finish by the hands of B8, the crew that beat the Saudi Arabian organisation on the identical map on the earlier Main. Regardless of the first-round loss, the Falcons swept apart Ardour UA to remain in rivalry for the highest eight. 

After failing to win any of its opening matches, Parivision, Workforce Liquid, Ardour UA, and 3DMAX are already vulnerable to elimination. A defeat within the first best-of-three will convey an finish to their run on the Main on the final hurdle earlier than the occasion heads to Budapest’s MVM Dome.

Spherical three of the StarLadder Budapest Main takes place on December fifth, the place the primary wave of groups will earn a spot within the area whereas these and not using a win are despatched packing.