The European team Natus Vincere (#9 in the world, #7 VRS) defeated the Turkish roster Aurora (#8 in the world, #9 VRS) with a score of 2–1 (4–13 Nuke, 13–6 Mirage, 13–11 Dust2) in the Group B winners’ match at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025. This result guarantees NAVI a spot in the semifinals, while Aurora drops to the Decider match, where they will face Venom for the final playoff berth.
How the match unfolded
- Nuke (NAVI’s pick) — 4:13. The series started poorly for the “yellow-blacks.” Aurora dominated every aspect of the game, led by XANTARES (44–39 K–D, 85.7 ADR), who dismantled the defense with confident entry kills. NAVI failed to adapt, managing to win only four rounds on their own map pick.
- Mirage (Aurora’s pick) — 13:6. “Natus Vincere” responded immediately, taking full control of the second map. w0nderful showcased his AWP mastery (50–32 K–D, Rating 1.33), while makazze and b1t maintained the pace. Aurora couldn’t find a way through NAVI’s defense, losing five out of six clutch situations.
- Dust2 (decider) — 13:11. The fate of the series was decided on the classic map. Aurora led 8:4, but NAVI mounted a comeback through the combined efforts of makazze and Aleksib. The decisive moment came at 11:11, when makazze won a 1v3 clutch that broke the Turks’ resistance once and for all.
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Player of the Match — Drin “makazze” Shaqiri
- K–D: 44–38
- ADR: 71.0
- Rating 3.0: 1.11
- KAST: 66.7%
Makazze proved to be not only NAVI’s most consistent player but also the author of the series-defining moment. His calm and decisive performance in high-pressure situations, especially on Dust2, helped the team turn the match around and secure a spot in the semifinals.
VRS rating after the match
- Natus Vincere gained +32 VRS points (1798 → 1830), remaining at #7.
- Aurora lost –13 points (1796 → 1783), dropping from #8 to #9.
This result strengthens NAVI’s position in the upper tier of the rankings ahead of the playoffs, while Aurora risks falling out of the top 10 if they lose the decisive match.
Tournament context
The Thunderpick World Championship 2025 is a prestigious LAN event with a $850,000 prize pool, part of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system. Its results directly impact qualification for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. The group stage follows a GSL format: two wins guarantee playoff advancement, two losses mean elimination, and the 1–1 matches determine which teams go to the Decider.
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What’s next for the teams
Natus Vincere advance to the semifinals, where they will face FURIA, the Group A winners. This will be the first direct clash between the renewed rosters, and NAVI will have a chance to prove that their progress under B1ad3’s leadership is no coincidence.
Aurora drop to the Decider match against Venom, which will determine the final playoff participant. For the Turkish team, this is a critical moment — a loss would mean elimination, while a win could redeem their campaign and keep them in contention for the title.
Match summary
NAVI demonstrated resilience and experience, turning a disastrous start on Nuke into a confident series victory. w0nderful and makazze proved that this roster is capable of fighting for the championship. Aurora, despite a strong start, once again lost momentum in decisive rounds — now the Turks must perform under maximum pressure to avoid an early exit from the tournament.
