The CS Asia Championships 2025 delivered one of the biggest surprises of the season — the French team 3DMAX defeated Team Liquid in spectacular fashion with a 2–1 victory and advanced to the grand final. For the French side, this marks a historic breakthrough — their first appearance in a major international LAN final since the revival of the 3DMAX brand in CS2.
Pre-Match Context: The Favorite vs. the New Wave
Liquid entered the series as one of the main title contenders. The American-European lineup, led by NAF and EliGE, dominated Group A with convincing wins over MIBR and Legacy. Their structured play, built around siuhy’s precise rotations and ultimate’s steady AWPing, represented textbook team Counter-Strike.
3DMAX, in contrast, endured a turbulent road. After losing their opening series to Legacy (1–2), the French roster dropped into the lower bracket but quickly found their rhythm. They swept Lynn Vision, edged out Virtus.pro in a tense three-map battle, and then shocked the world by eliminating Liquid in the semifinals — becoming the embodiment of resilience and fighting spirit.
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Road to the Semifinal
3DMAX:
- Defeated The Huns (13–1).
- Lost to Legacy (1–2).
- Beat Lynn Vision (2–0).
- Overcame Virtus.pro (2–1) after a tough battle on Train.
- Stunned Liquid (2–1) in the semifinal, earning +17 VRS points.
Liquid:
- Lost to GamerLegion (9–13) — a shaky start.
- Defeated MIBR (2–0) to regain form.
- Beat Legacy (2–1) to reach the upper semifinal.
- Fell to 3DMAX (1–2) and were eliminated, losing 13 VRS points.
For 3DMAX, this run is proof that discipline, communication, and belief in their style can overcome even structurally superior opponents. For Liquid, it’s a reminder that adaptability and mental resilience are key in the era of CS2 parity.
Match Overview
- Dust2 — Liquid Start Strong
The series began on Dust2, Liquid’s pick, and the North Americans opened confidently. NAF and EliGE controlled mid with precision, while siuhy expertly called rotations. After a commanding first half (8–4), it seemed unlikely that 3DMAX could respond.
However, the French side found their footing after the side switch. Graviti and Maka exploited short control to disrupt Liquid’s defense, forcing a more cautious approach. Despite their efforts, Liquid held firm to close out the map 13–10, taking the series lead.
- Nuke — The French Counterattack
On their map pick, Nuke, 3DMAX flipped the narrative completely. The Frenchmen took early control, with Lucky orchestrating their defense and Ex3rcice locking down key positions. Liquid’s attempts to break into the A site were repeatedly denied by 3DMAX’s disciplined setups.
Graviti was the standout performer, consistently securing entries and key trades in clutch scenarios. His composure in 2v2s and timely impact plays guided the team to a dominant 13–7 win. The series was tied, but the momentum had shifted entirely in favor of 3DMAX.
- Inferno — The Fall of the Favorite
The decider, Inferno, became a test of composure — one that 3DMAX passed with flying colors. Liquid tried to establish control over banana, but the French side adapted swiftly. Maka perfectly anticipated their executes, while Lucky once again rose to the occasion in high-pressure rounds.
In the final stretch, 3DMAX displayed flawless discipline — no panic, no miscommunication, only calm precision. bodyy acted as the team’s anchor, keeping their structure intact, while Ex3rcice and Graviti maintained consistent trading. The final score, 13–8, sealed a monumental triumph for the French side.
Player Stats for the Match
MVP of the Match — Lucas “Lucky” Chastang
- K–D: 38–32 (+6)
- ADR: 74.3
- Rating 3.0: 1.18
Although Graviti posted the highest K–D (+12), it was Lucky who symbolized victory. His composure in decisive Inferno rounds and clutch moments made the difference between elimination and history.
Valve Regional Standings (VRS) Impact
The semifinal result significantly reshaped the global standings. 3DMAX gained +17 points, climbing from 1732 to 1749 and solidifying their position at #10 worldwide. For the French roster, this is not only a symbolic achievement but also a tangible leap toward securing a direct Major invite.
Liquid, on the other hand, lost −13 points, dropping from 1680 to 1667, remaining at #12. For the North Americans, this serves as a warning — even minor inconsistency at top-tier events can endanger their Major qualification chances.
The Symbolism of the Series
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This victory carries broader meaning — 3DMAX have shown that Europe’s second-tier talent pool can still produce championship-caliber performances. After years of inconsistency, French Counter-Strike finally has a new identity — a roster that combines youthful aggression with veteran poise.
Liquid, meanwhile, leave the tournament with heads held high. Their system and coordination remain strong, but lapses in focus at key moments proved costly. As competition in 2025 CS2 reaches unprecedented levels, the margin for error continues to shrink.
3DMAX are the new heroes of the CS Asia Championships 2025 — a team that went from underdogs to grand finalists, proving that belief, teamwork, and composure can triumph over raw star power.
With the grand final ahead, the French side now faces their toughest challenge yet. Regardless of the outcome, their incredible journey has already earned them a place in the history books as one of 2025’s most inspiring Counter-Strike stories.
