Just ten days ago, Fnatic had only a 2.9% chance of qualifying for the StarLadder Major Budapest 2025 — their only path was to win Fragadelphia Blocktober 2025, a local LAN tournament in the United States that few considered decisive for the European scene.
But the team achieved the impossible: they won the grand final against 9INE (3:2) and secured the long-awaited invite, ending a nine-month Major drought and returning to Counter-Strike 2’s biggest stage.
From despair to triumph: how Fnatic regained their faith
When Valve updated the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) on September 29, Fnatic sat in a critical position in the European rankings — outside even the RMR cutoff. The team had neither consistent results nor direct invites to events.
Their last hope was Fragadelphia Blocktober, an event most players saw as a local LAN with a modest prize pool, but no one expected it to decide the fate of one of the oldest brands in Counter-Strike history.
Over the previous nine months, Fnatic’s journey resembled a documentary in itself:
- 5630 rounds played
- 255 maps across 31 tournaments
- appearances in 5 countries on two continents
- six LANs, with only two titles
- and countless failed attempts to stay in VRS contention
Their final chance was simple — win everything in Philadelphia.
Fragadelphia Blocktober 2025: the final of the year
Fnatic entered the grand final against 9INE, their long-time rivals from the European online circuit. The teams had already faced each other 19 times this year, with Fnatic leading the head-to-head 13–5. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever — the winner would claim not just a trophy, but a ticket to the Major.
Final score: Fnatic 3–2 9INE
(Dust2 7–13, Inferno 13–7, Ancient 13–8, Overpass 16–14, Train 13–9)
- Dust2 — cold start
Fnatic picked Dust2 but stumbled early. 9INE took it 13–7, forcing their opponents to play under pressure from the get-go. The Polish side’s structure and control, led by kraghen and MoDo, dictated the tempo. Yet the loss only fired up the international squad.
- Inferno — the response of champions
Fnatic struck back immediately. CYPPER and blameF led a 13–7 demolition, dominating the T-side with confidence. For the first time in the tournament, Fnatic won more than five consecutive rounds as terrorists — a sign that momentum had shifted.
- Ancient — the turning point
Ancient became a symbol of resilience. After a 4–8 deficit in the first half, Fnatic mounted a fierce comeback — jackasmo and jambo clutched crucial rounds, while blameF closed it 13–8. It was the moment the final turned from chaos into a controlled Fnatic performance.
- Overpass — nerves of steel
9INE refused to go quietly, pushing the map to 14–14. But CYPPER stepped up again, winning two 1v2 clutches in the final rounds to secure a 16–14 victory. That was the emotional climax of the final — Fnatic took the lead in the series for the first time.
- Train — the finishing line
The legendary Train map, where Fnatic once lifted trophies in the CS:GO era, became the stage of redemption. A 13–9 win sealed the deal, and in the final round blameF delivered a triple kill to close the match and claim the long-awaited Major slot.
Final stats
Despite the loss, Tobias “kraghen” Jensen of 9INE was named MVP of the match with 84–72 K-D, 1.27 rating, and 83.5 ADR — his stability and mechanical brilliance kept 9INE alive until the final moments.
Context and historical importance
This victory is more than just a regional success — it officially returns Fnatic to the list of StarLadder Major Budapest 2025 participants, confirmed earlier today.
They’ll start from Stage 1, alongside FaZe, NIP, BIG, Legacy, Imperial, NRG, M80, and Fluxo. For Fnatic, it’s their first Major since December 2024, and the first earned through competition rather than a direct invite.
It also stands as one of the most emotional comebacks of the year. In 2024, Fnatic went through a turbulent period — failed roster experiments, internal disputes, veteran departures, and a steep ranking decline. Now, under blameF’s leadership, they’ve rebuilt their structure and reminded the world why the Fnatic name still matters in Counter-Strike history.
What’s next
Fnatic will begin their Stage 1 run at StarLadder Major Budapest 2025 this November. Their group will include giants like FaZe, NIP, BIG, Legacy, and Imperial. But after Philadelphia, the team has regained something more valuable than form — belief.
If they managed to turn a 2.9% chance into reality, their story at the Major might only be beginning.
