The opening day of PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 brings a matchup rich in symbolism — experience versus youth, stability versus momentum. The legendary Danish powerhouse Astralis, with its storied Major legacy, faces the ambitious Ukrainian squad B8, who continue their steady climb toward becoming a consistent top-tier presence.
The match will be played in a Best of 3 (LAN) format, and it could set the tone for both teams’ Swiss Stage campaigns.
Current Form and Context
Astralis enter Bucharest in a phase of renewal but with clear signs of improvement. Under HooXi’s leadership, the Danes are slowly rebuilding their structure and regaining control after a string of mixed results. Recent matches show progress — victories against Heroic (2–1) and Legacy (2–1), though losses to FaZe (0–2), Aurora (1–2), and Falcons (0–2) highlight lingering inconsistencies.
device remains the team’s cornerstone, consistently averaging above a 1.15 rating, while Staehr (1.07) continues to impress with impactful openings and smart retakes. Magisk and jabbi provide crucial experience in micro-moments, while HooXi experiments with tactical balance between aggression and structure.
B8, on the other hand, have emerged as one of the most stable teams in the HLTV Top 25. Led by kensizor, the Ukrainians look increasingly organized — even against elite competition. Their recent victory over G2 (2–1) confirmed that they can challenge any opponent.
npl (1.15 rating) has fully embraced his role as the team’s new entry star, while esential keeps up a strong supporting tempo. headtr1ck and alex666 form a dependable AWP-rifle duo that anchors their setups. Despite defeats to FURIA and FaZe, B8 show maturity and resilience, often staging comebacks against top-tier rivals.
Head-to-Head — A Growing Rivalry
Astralis and B8 have met five times in 2025, with the overall record standing at 3–2 in favor of Astralis, including one match that went to overtime.
Their most recent encounter took place at IEM Cologne 2025, where Astralis dominated 2–0 (16–12 on Inferno, 13–2 on Mirage). Earlier, at BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, the teams traded maps — B8 won Ancient (16–14) and Mirage (13–10), while Astralis took Inferno (13–7). Historically, B8 thrive on faster-paced maps like Mirage and Ancient, while Astralis prefer structured environments such as Inferno and Nuke, where their tactical depth shines.
Map Pool and Veto Analysis
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: Astralis 0% | B8 38%
- Mirage: Astralis 50% | B8 78%
- Inferno: Astralis 25% | B8 29%
- Nuke: Astralis 58% | B8 —
- Overpass: Astralis 33% | B8 67%
- Ancient: Astralis 80% | B8 33%
Predicted veto:
- Astralis will likely ban Dust2, their weakest map.
- B8 are expected to remove Nuke, avoiding Astralis’s structured dominance and strong CT setups.
Expected picks:
- Astralis: Ancient — their most successful map (80% win rate), where they control the pace and economy masterfully.
- B8: Mirage — their comfort pick (78%), where npl and headtr1ck excel in opening duels and fast mid control.
Potential decider: Inferno — a balanced battleground where Astralis’s composure in late rounds could prove decisive.
Key Duels
- device vs headtr1ck — a generational clash of AWPers. device’s positional mastery and composure meet headtr1ck’s fast-paced, risk-taking style.
- Staehr vs npl — the entry duel that may dictate the rhythm of the series.
- Magisk vs kensizor — experience meets strategy: Magisk’s timing and intuition against kensizor’s analytical game sense.
Form and Psychological Dynamics
Astralis appear more cohesive after breaking their losing streak, with recent victories restoring confidence. HooXi has brought back internal structure, while device looks sharper than ever — reminiscent of his peak form. Meanwhile, B8 play with no pressure, and that freedom could be their biggest asset. Their fearless approach, creative mid-round decisions, and unpredictable tempo make them a genuine threat to any opponent.
Prediction
Astralis possess greater tactical depth and LAN experience, but B8 bring hunger and raw energy. If npl and headtr1ck can disrupt Astralis’s rhythm early — especially on Mirage — the series could easily go the distance. Still, the Danish discipline and veteran resilience might give Astralis the upper hand when it matters most.
Predicted score: Astralis 2–1 B8
