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We turn our attention to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, an offline CS2 event with a $1,250,000 prize pool. Group stage matches are taking place at MTK Sportpark, and the playoffs will be held at the MVM Dome in Budapest, Hungary.
On Day 3 of Stage 1, Fnatic and NRG face off in a crucial BO3. Both teams have a 2–1 record, so this match is important for advancing to the next stage. With solid performances from both sides so far, the series promises to be competitive, and every map could make a difference.
How The Bookies View It: Fnatic Slightly Favoured
Bookmakers see Fnatic as slight favourites, with odds of 1.48 compared to 2.60 for NRG. The difference isn’t huge, showing that while Fnatic are trusted more, NRG still have a real chance to take the series. In a BO3, either team could win, so it should be a competitive matchup.
Fnatic CS2 form. What result can be expected from Fnatic
Fnatic in 2025 continues its effort to rebuild and reclaim its position among Europe’s elite CS2 teams. The organization has undergone significant restructuring throughout the year, focusing on balancing experience and youthful energy within its lineup. Early in 2025, Fnatic introduced several roster changes, including the arrival of Rodion “Fear” Smyk as the new in-game leader — a move aimed at improving tactical depth and mid-round coordination. The team also brought in new talents like Jambo and Jackasmo, while experienced players such as KRIMZ and blameF remain the backbone of the squad.
- Fnatic roster: KRIMZ, blameF, Fear, Jambo, Jackasmo.
The mix of veterans and newer players has given Fnatic a fresh identity. KRIMZ brings experience and composure, while blameF’s leadership and steady play help keep the team structured. Fear adds strategic stability with his disciplined calling, and Jambo and Jackasmo bring aggressive plays and strong aim, giving the squad some dynamic options.
Coaching changes have also played a role this year. After parting ways with long-time coach Peter “casle” Ardenskjold, Fnatic promoted Miks “Independent” Siliņš to head coach. Independent has focused on flexibility, better communication, and adapting strategies to opponents.
In 2025, Fnatic’s results have been mixed. They won Frag Blocktober 2025 (B-Tier, 1st place, 3:2, $5,500), showing they can perform under pressure. But in bigger tournaments like PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 (12th–14th, 0:2, $9,375) and CS Asia Championships 2025 (5th–6th, 1:2, $20,000), they struggled and exited early. Other events, such as Birch Cup 2025 (5th–8th), showed glimpses of potential but also that the team is still working on consistency.
Fnatic’s strengths are solid map control, structured play, and staying calm under pressure. KRIMZ and blameF provide experience, while Jambo and Jackasmo add creativity and firepower. Still, roster changes and adapting to Independent’s style have made it hard to maintain long-term stability.
Looking ahead, Fnatic’s goal is to stabilize the roster, improve communication, and make deeper runs in major tournaments. With the mix of veterans, new talent, and a focused coach, they have the tools to grow. If they keep improving their teamwork, Fnatic could soon be a top contender again in the global CS2 scene.
Fnatic Map Pool
Over the past three months, Fnatic have demonstrated a solid and balanced map pool in CS2, showing consistent results across multiple maps. Their strongest performance has come on Train, where they maintain an impressive 72% win rate when picked as their first map, showcasing strong coordination and tactical depth. Overpass and Ancient follow closely with 58.3% and 57.9% win rates respectively, indicating Fnatic’s comfort on structured and strategy-heavy maps. Meanwhile, Dust2 (56.2%), Mirage (54.5%), and Inferno (53.8%) also remain reliable choices, with the team showing versatility and the ability to adapt to different playstyles. This even map distribution highlights Fnatic’s balanced approach — they don’t rely heavily on a single map, instead maintaining competitive strength across the board.
NRG form. What result can be expected from NRG
We continue our CS2 tips with analyzing NRG form.
In the first half of the 2025 season, NRG Esports were primarily remembered for their strong performances at B- and C-Tier tournaments in North America. The team confidently claimed first place at the ESL Challenger League Season 50: North America Cup #1, NA Revival Series #10, and Fragville 2025, demonstrating stability and promising potential. However, their results at S-Tier events, such as BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 and ESL Pro League Season 22, were less impressive, showing that the squad still had work to do on the international stage.
Despite these challenges, NRG maintained a solid domestic presence. In online B-Tier tournaments, they performed well, finishing first at ESL Challenger League Season 50: North America and second at the Ace North American Masters Fall 2025. In offline C-Tier competitions, the team secured victories at Frag Ultra Mega Jersey 2025 and CCT Season 3 North American Series #1, proving their ability to dominate regional events.
- NRG roster: nitr0, Jeorge, br0, XotiC, Sonic.
This lineup combined veteran leadership with new talent, giving the team both stability and fresh strategic perspectives. The absence of nitr0 in certain events was compensated by daps, who could step in to maintain tactical consistency.
In their first matches following the roster formation, NRG showcased strong synergy and effective coordination. At B- and C-Tier events, they consistently advanced to finals, often defeating competitive North American teams. Notably, the team won Fragville 2025 3:1 and dominated ESL Challenger League Season 50: North America with a clean 3:0 scoreline, highlighting their improved performance and growing confidence.
At S-Tier tournaments, NRG faced stiffer competition. In BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, they finished 25th–27th with a 0:2 result, and at ESL Pro League Season 22, they ended 23rd–24th. These outcomes reflected the gap in experience against top-tier international squads, emphasizing the need for continued growth and adaptation.
Throughout 2025, NRG also participated in other regional tournaments with varying results. They took first place at NA Revival Series #10 (2:1), CCT Season 3 North American Series #1 (2:0), and Frag Ultra Mega Jersey 2025 (3:2). In other events, the team occasionally placed 3rd–4th, such as at NA Revival Series #8 and Thunderpick World Championship 2025: North American Series #2, demonstrating solid, if not always dominant, consistency.
NRG’s 2025 season showed a clear trajectory: while the team was dominant in regional B- and C-Tier competitions, they still had to prove themselves on the international stage. The combination of experienced players like nitr0 and Jeorge with new talents like br0, XotiC, and Sonic set the foundation for further development. With continued improvement in strategy, teamwork, and S-Tier experience, NRG aims to become a consistent top contender not only in North America but also globally in CS2.
It is also worth noting that nitr0 is missing the tournament due to the birth of his child. The team will have to compete with a substitute in the form of their coach, daps, which will obviously have a negative impact on NRG.
NRG Map Pool
NRG’s map pool over the past three months demonstrates clear strengths and preferences. Mirage and Inferno stand out as their strongest maps, both with an impressive 87.5% win rate when picked first, showing the team’s confidence and comfort on these battlegrounds. Dust2 and Train also perform well, with win rates of 77.8% and 71.4% respectively, making them reliable choices in their map veto strategy. On the other hand, Nuke and Overpass are less dominant, with win rates of 55.6% and 50%, indicating areas where NRG may need improvement or may prefer to avoid in high-stakes matches. This map distribution reflects a balanced pool with clear go-to maps, while still leaving room for tactical flexibility.
Head-to-Head: Fnatic vs NRG
Fnatic and NRG have never faced each other in an official match before. This BO3 will be their first head-to-head, so neither team has prior results to rely on. With both sitting at a 2–1 record in the group stage, the series is open and unpredictable, and every map will be important for deciding who advances.
Predicted result of the match Fnatic – NRG at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
Looking at the form and roster strengths, Fnatic are likely to take the series against NRG. The Swedish team combines experienced leadership from KRIMZ and blameF with the firepower and aggression of Jambo and Jackasmo, giving them a balanced lineup capable of adapting to different maps and situations. It’s also important to note that NRG will be missing their player nitr0, with coach daps stepping in as a substitute — a factor that weakens their tactical consistency and in-game decision-making. Considering Fnatic’s stronger map pool, recent performances, and roster stability, they are favoured to secure the victory in this BO3.
Prediction: Fnatic win.
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