The French roster 3DMAX (#10 in the world, #10 VRS) defeated fnatic (#27 in the world, #20 VRS) with a score of 2–1 (13–5 Inferno, 7–13 Train, 13–9 Dust2) in the quarterfinals of the CS Asia Championships 2025. The victory allowed Pierre “Ex3rcice” Bulinge’s team to advance to the semifinals, where they will face Team Liquid, while fnatic conclude their tournament run.
How the match unfolded
- Inferno (3DMAX’s pick) — 13:5
The French side started confidently on their map, executing an aggressive attack and a disciplined defense. Bryan “Maka” Canda and Pierre “Ex3rcice” Bulinge dominated key rounds, leaving fnatic no room to fight back. - Train (fnatic’s pick) — 7:13
Fnatic responded strongly after a slow start. Benjamin “blameF” Bremer delivered a steady performance (46–34 K–D, Rating 1.23), taking control of the map, especially in the second half. - Dust2 (decider) — 13:9
A close battle lasted until the final rounds, but 3DMAX showed better coordination when it mattered most. Graviti and Maka shut down fnatic’s comeback attempts, while Ex3rcice delivered several crucial multi-kills to close the series 2–1.
Player of the Match — Pierre “Ex3rcice” Bulinge
- K–D: 43–41
- ADR: 75.2
- Rating 3.0: 1.17
- KAST: 70%
Ex3rcice proved to be the true driving force behind 3DMAX, maintaining consistency across all three maps. His confident plays in key moments helped the team preserve their mental edge and seal the victory.
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VRS rating after the match
- 3DMAX: +15 points (1707 → 1722), remaining #10 in the world.
- fnatic: –7 points (1460 → 1453), dropping to #20 VRS.
This victory strengthened the French squad’s position in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), while fnatic lost the opportunity to earn valuable points ahead of the upcoming Major qualifiers.
Tournament context
The CS Asia Championships 2025 is a prestigious LAN tournament with a $1,000,000 prize pool, part of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system. Its results directly affect qualification for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. The competition follows a Single Elimination format — one loss means elimination.
What’s next
3DMAX advance to the semifinals, where they will face Team Liquid tomorrow. This match will be a major test for the French roster, as the American team is currently in excellent form.
For fnatic, the tournament comes to an end. After losing to 3DMAX, Miksa “Independent” Slińska’s team exits the championship but gains valuable experience ahead of the new season and the continued fight to reclaim a spot in the world’s top 20.
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Match summary
3DMAX once again proved to be one of Europe’s most consistent teams, showcasing a mature style of play built on experience and teamwork. For fnatic, it was a painful but instructive defeat, emphasizing the need for stability when facing top-tier opponents. Ahead lies a historic opportunity for 3DMAX — just two steps away from the championship title.
