The first finalist of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 will soon be determined. The upper bracket final brings together two teams well acquainted with the pressure of big arenas — Ninjas in Pyjamas and Natus Vincere. Both squads reached this point through very different paths: NiP impressed with their stability in decisive moments, while NAVI went through emotional ups and downs but once again proved their ability to win series against strong opponents. Ahead lies a battle to decide who will claim the direct ticket to the grand final.
Previous Meetings — NAVI with the Edge
The most recent clash between the two sides took place at IEM Cologne 2025, producing one of the most intense series of the tournament:
- Train (NiP 13–11) — disciplined defense from NiP and sjush’s reliability secured the opening win.
- Inferno (NAVI 13–3) — total dominance from NAVI: w0nderful locked down the map with his AWP, while iM and b1t won duel after duel.
- Nuke (NAVI 13–9) — the decider saw Aleksib’s experience and iM’s explosive rounds deliver the finishing blow.
NAVI took the series 2–1, and the 2025 head-to-head record remains in their favor (2–1). This psychological edge could play a role in the upper bracket final.
Road to the Tournament Final
Ninjas in Pyjamas — Confidence and Stability
NiP began their StarSeries Fall 2025 journey with maximum efficiency:
- 2–0 vs OG — a strong start, with r1nkle shining on the AWP and sjush providing rock-solid defensive play.
- 2–0 vs PARIVISION — another clean sweep, where Snappi controlled the pace and xKaspersky delivered firepower in the mid-rounds.
Winning both matches without dropping a map, NiP advanced to the upper bracket final. The team showed discipline, composure, and balanced play — factors that may give them a psychological advantage against NAVI.
Natus Vincere — Fighting Their Way Through
NAVI’s road to the upper final was more challenging:
- 2–0 vs Passion UA — a confident debut, with iM and b1t setting the tone early.
- 2–1 vs 9INE — a dramatic series where NAVI initially lost control on their own pick but fought back, thanks to the individual brilliance of newcomer makazze.
Despite dropping maps along the way, NAVI proved their resilience and ability to prevail even in long, drawn-out battles.
Current Form
Ninjas in Pyjamas approach this matchup in high spirits: a streak of clean victories has boosted their confidence, and xKaspersky (1.13 rating, 0.75 KPR, 83.9 ADR) has become the engine of their attacks. Another key factor is r1nkle, whose consistency on the AWP has been crucial. Still, their loss to Venom earlier in the season revealed that NiP can struggle against relentless aggression.
Natus Vincere remain more unpredictable. The team is still seeking consistency after restructuring but boasts immense potential thanks to its star power. b1t (1.15 rating, 1.26 multi-kill rating) is the primary threat in mid-rounds, while iM brings aggression on entries. w0nderful remains a steady force with the AWP, and makazze is steadily adapting to the big stage. The deciding factor often comes down to Aleksib, who sometimes plays too cautiously but can deliver key calls in high-pressure moments.
Map Pool and Veto
Map stats (last 3 months):
- Dust2: NiP 33% (9) | NAVI — not played
- Mirage: NiP 25% (4) | NAVI 43% (7)
- Inferno: NiP 75% (4) | NAVI 62% (8)
- Nuke: NiP 81% (16) | NAVI 44% (9)
- Train: NiP 44% (9) | NAVI 100% (4)
- Overpass: NiP 50% (4) | NAVI — not played
- Ancient: NiP 56% (9) | NAVI 38% (8)
Likely bans:
- NiP will ban Train, where NAVI hold a 100% record.
- NAVI will remove Mirage, the weakest map for both teams.
Likely picks:
- NiP — Nuke, their strongest map (81%).
- NAVI — Inferno, a reliable pick with solid winrate and practiced setups.
Potential decider: Ancient, where both sides look relatively balanced.
Key Duels
- xKaspersky vs b1t — the versatile duel. Both dictate mid-round tempo and often become decisive in clutch situations.
- r1nkle vs w0nderful — AWP battle. A rising star for NiP against NAVI’s calm and seasoned sniper. Map control will hinge on their impact.
- Snappi vs Aleksib — clash of in-game leaders. Snappi brings pragmatism and structure, while Aleksib is known for changing tempo and making bold mid-round calls.
Prediction
The upper bracket final promises to be one of the tournament’s most exciting matches. NiP arrive with momentum and a balanced team setup but lack the same experience on big playoff stages. NAVI, despite their inconsistency, possess greater individual star power and hold the edge in head-to-head results.
Predicted score: NAVI 2–1 NiP
Expect a full three-map series: NiP should shine on Nuke, but NAVI are strong enough to turn the tide on Inferno and push the match to Ancient, where the raw quality of their stars may prove decisive.
