PaiN Gaming and 3DMAX eliminated from StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

PaiN Gaming and 3DMAX have develop into the newest groups to bow out of the StarLadder Budapest Main 2025‘s third stage.

The Brazilian aspect, which scored a top-four end on the Austin Main, and the all-French roster misplaced in essential spherical 4 Swiss Stage matches.

Though PaiN Gaming kicked off its Stage 3 marketing campaign with a victory over 3DMAX within the first spherical, defeats to G2 Esports and NAVI put it on the verge of elimination. Because of this, a victory over an in-form B8 aspect was required to stay within the event.

The Brazilians started Mud II on the entrance foot, establishing a 7-5 lead within the first half. B8 responded with a 7-5 half of its personal, forcing time beyond regulation in a hotly contested map. After a back-and-forth time beyond regulation, B8 grabbed Mud II 19-16, leaving PaiN Gaming’s playoff hopes hanging within the steadiness.

B8’s decide of Historic had already confirmed fruitful after defeating Staff Falcons earlier within the stage. Sturdy defensive shows in each halves noticed each groups stage after 24 rounds, with time beyond regulation required to separate them as soon as once more. Regardless of the very best efforts of Rodrigo ‘biguzera‘ Bittencourt, B8’s defence proved superior in time beyond regulation, taking the map 16-12 to safe a 2-0 sweep.

Having arrived in Budapest in search of a repeat of its Austin heroics, PaiN Gaming heads residence with a top-14 end and $20,000 (~£14,987) in prize cash.

Defeats to PaiN Gaming and Team Vitality within the first two rounds already put 3DMAX on the again foot heading into the best-of-threes. A tough-fought 2-1 win over Parivision enabled the French aspect to combat one other day, the place a match in opposition to FaZe Clan would resolve its destiny.

Regardless of FaZe Clan’s hit-and-miss type in the course of the Main, the Pink Militia got here out swinging, taking Mud II 13-6 to maintain its personal playoff ambitions alive. FaZe’s superior defence proved the distinction on Inferno, taking the map 13-5 and a 2-0 sequence victory to ship 3DMAX packing.

Following the outcomes of spherical three, a number of heavy hitters returned to motion in spherical 4 of the Budapest Main with a 2-1 file and a second chunk at incomes a spot within the MVM Dome.

Following defeat to Staff Spirit, MOUZ confronted off in opposition to Staff Falcons in a battle between two of the world’s most constant Counter-Strike 2 rosters. Staff Falcons struck first, overturning a four-round deficit to take Mirage 13-11 together with the early sequence lead.

MOUZ answered again emphatically on Inferno with stable defensive holds, leading to a 13-6 scoreline to stage the sequence at one map apiece. Nuke would play host to the decider, the place MOUZ’s superior defence held agency as soon as once more. Even with a late Staff Falcons surge, MOUZ closed out Nuke 13-10 to e-book its place in one other playoffs.

Elsewhere, Staff Vitality secured its place within the playoffs after keeping off a defiant NAVI aspect that had a number of alternatives to ship the powerhouse roster into the fifth spherical.

Whereas the addition of Unudelger ‘Controlez‘ Baasanjargal to The MongolZ stunned many, the Mongolians additionally earned its place within the final eight after sweeping apart G2 Esports. Garidmangai ‘bLitz‘ Byambasuren excelled on Mud II with one-versus-two and one-versus-three clutches enjoying pivotal roles in a stable exhibiting for the Austin Main runners-up.

With 5 groups already certified for the playoffs, consideration turns to the fifth and last spherical of Stage 3, the place three extra groups will earn a spot on the MVM Dome for an opportunity to compete for Counter-Strike’s largest title.

Under are the remaining Stage 3 matches happening on December seventh, 2025:

Followers can tune into the ultimate spherical of Stage 3 throughout StarLadder’s Twitch, YouTube, and Kick channels.