FaZe Defeat NaVi 2:1 to Reach the Grand Final of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

In the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 semifinals for Counter-Strike 2, held in Budapest, FaZe Clan overcame Natus Vincere with a 2:1 victory in a tense best-of-3 series, securing their spot in the grand final. After a dominant first map where NAVI won 13:5, it seemed unlikely that FaZe could turn the series around — but the team staged an impressive comeback. In the grand final, FaZe will face Team Vitality.

• 1. Natus Vincere removed Overpass
• 2. FaZe removed Train
• 3. Natus Vincere picked Ancient
• 4. FaZe picked Nuke
• 5. FaZe removed Mirage
• 6. Natus Vincere removed Dust2
• 7. Inferno was left over

Map 1 — Ancient: NAVI 13:5 FaZe

From the very start on Ancient, NAVI completely dominated the game. The Ukrainian side delivered a one-sided performance on the attacking side, winning 10 rounds on T-side alone while fully controlling the economy and key areas of the map. FaZe were unable to respond to the relentless pressure, and the map ended 13:5. After such a heavy loss, it felt like FaZe might not return to the series at all.

Map 2 — Nuke: FaZe 13:11 NAVI

On Nuke, FaZe turned the series around. The team established a strong defense and executed tactical peeks, preventing NAVI from extending their advantage after a first-half lead of 8:4. Key clutches from FaZe players allowed them to close the map 13:11, leveling the series.

Map 3 — Inferno: FaZe 13:8 NAVI

The decider, Inferno, was a true battle. FaZe won crucial duels in mid positions and stopped NAVI from replicating their dominance from the first map. The climax came when Twistzz, alone against three NAVI players with only a Deagle and no armor, won a critical clutch, crippling NAVI’s economy. FaZe closed the map 13:8, securing their place in the grand final against Team Vitality.

Match MVP — Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken (FaZe)

Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken was named the MVP of the semifinal match against NAVI and played a decisive role in FaZe’s run to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 grand final. The Canadian rifler finished the series with 48–44 K/D, 80.8 ADR, 74.6% KAST, and a 1.29 rating. Twistzz consistently impacted rounds throughout the series, and his crucial clutches — including the key moment on Inferno — proved to be turning points that ultimately shut down NAVI’s comeback chances.

• 1st-2nd: TBD
• 3rd-4th: Team Spirit, Natus Vincere
• 5th-8th: Team Falcons, The MongolZ, MOUZ, FURIA
• 9th-11th: B8, G2 Esports, Passion UA
• 12th-14th: Imperial Esports, 3DMAX, paiN Gaming
• 15th-16th: Team Liquid, PARIVISION
• 17th-19th: Ninjas in Pyjamas, M80, Astralis
• 20th-22nd: Fnatic, Aurora Gaming, TYLOO
• 23rd-24th: MIBR, FlyQuest
• 25th-27th: NRG, Fluxo, Legacy
• 28th-30th: The Huns Esports, RED Canids, GamerLegion
• 31st-32nd: Lynn Vision Gaming, Rare Atom

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — the winter Major from Valve for the 2025 competitive CS2 season. The tournament will feature a prize pool of $1,250,000 USD. Group stage matches will take place at MTK Sportpark, while the playoffs will be held at the MVM Dome in Budapest, Hungary.