The 1–1 pool matches of Stage 2 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 became some of the most intense moments of the entire phase. Four Bo1 games between teams with identical records outlined the first major trends of the tournament: some moved closer to qualification matches, while others found themselves one step away from disaster. In the Swiss system, a single mistake or lost clutch can change the entire course of the event — and today demonstrated that perfectly. The 1–1 pool turned out brutal, unforgiving, and full of sharp turns.
1) PARIVISION 13–11 Aurora (Overpass)
PARIVISION delivered one of the most mature performances in their career: disciplined setups, consistent trading, and complete control in the second half. Aurora, in contrast, looked unusually shaky — failed retakes, chaotic pistol-round decisions, and no rhythm on the T-side. PARIVISION not only defeated a tournament favorite but also flipped the entire psychology of the 1–1 pool: they are now strong contenders for 3–1, while Aurora are on the brink of elimination.
Player of the Match — Vladislav “xiELO” Lysov
- 22–13
- 89.2 ADR
- 1.49 rating 3.0
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2) Imperial 13–10 fnatic (Dust2)
Imperial continue their quiet but stable run through Budapest. Against fnatic, they looked prepared for every scenario: well-structured rounds, coordinated retakes, and no panic even in disadvantaged situations. fnatic once again revealed their biggest weakness — poor conversion of advantages. They lost every crucial round in the second half, including two 2v2s and one 5v4. At a Major, that’s fatal.
Player of the Match — Kaiky “noway” Santos
- 20–13
- 90 ADR
- 1.53 rating 3.0
3) M80 13–10 TYLOO (Train)
M80 corrected their early mistakes and looked far more cohesive on Train. Slow, methodical rounds, precise timing on executes, and strong late-round decisions allowed them to secure eight T-side rounds — the foundation of their victory. TYLOO tried to break the game open with individual aggression, but it lacked coordination: too many pointless duels, poor trading, and even a strong performance from Moseyuh couldn’t save the map.
Player of the Match — Qianhao “Moseyuh” Chen
- 20–17
- 80.3 ADR
- 1.45 rating 3.0
4) 3DMAX 13–3 Passion UA (Train)
3DMAX played a near-perfect game, while Passion UA delivered one of their worst Major performances. The Ukrainian roster failed to find any workable plan on Train: poor sense of tempo, failed pushes, lost duels, and a complete breakdown in communication. 3DMAX looked like a top-15 team: clear priorities, fast adaptations, and full map control. bodyy delivered a masterclass in both leadership and individual play.
Player of the Match — Alexandre “bodyy” Pianaro
- 15–6
- 92.8 ADR
- 1.76 rating 3.0
VRS — Results of the 1–1 Pool
- PARIVISION: from #19 (1517 pt) → #18 (1568 pt) — +51 pt
- Aurora: from #5 (1792 pt) → #5 (1767 pt) — –25 pt
- Imperial: from #33 (1338 pt) → #29 (1368 pt) — +30 pt
- fnatic: from #24 (1460 pt) → #26 (1441 pt) — –19 pt
- M80: from #26 (1449 pt) → #23 (1463 pt) — +14 pt
- TYLOO: from #30 (1350 pt) → #31 (1339 pt) — –11 pt
- 3DMAX: from #16 (1589 pt) → #16 (1599 pt) — +10 pt
- Passion UA: from #28 (1394 pt) → #28 (1386 pt) — –8 pt
Updated Stage 2 Standings
2–1 (one win from qualifying):
- PARIVISION
- Imperial
- M80
- 3DMAX
1–2 (one loss from elimination):
- Aurora
- fnatic
- TYLOO
- Passion UA
What’s Next?
In Round 4 of Stage 2, three teams will secure their place in Stage 3, and three will be eliminated. The 1–2 pool will be especially tense, as every loss there means leaving the Major. PARIVISION and M80 will try to close out 3–1, while fnatic, Aurora, and Passion UA will fight for survival. 3DMAX will have a chance to confirm their current form and consistency. The tournament is entering a phase where the value of every single map is at its highest.
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Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
