The new international tournament PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 opens the autumn CS2 competition cycle. In the opening round, Aurora will face fnatic — a match that has immediately drawn attention due to the contrast in styles and experience between the two teams. For the Turkish lineup, it’s a chance to confirm their top-10 world ranking, while for the Europeans, it’s an opportunity to test their new roster under blameF’s leadership.
PGL MASTERS BUCHAREST 2025 — THE START OF THE AUTUMN SEASON
PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 takes place from October 26 to November 1 in Bucharest, Romania. Sixteen teams will participate, competing for a total prize pool of $1,250,000. The format includes a Swiss Stage (Bo3) followed by a Single Elimination Playoff, with a Bo5 final.
The winner will receive $200,000, the runner-up $93,750, and all top-8 teams will earn VRS ranking points, which influence qualification for the next Major.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD — THE FIRST ENCOUNTER
This will be the first official LAN meeting between Aurora and fnatic. The teams have not faced each other at major events yet, but their playstyles are completely different. Aurora relies on individual firepower and the stability of its stars — XANTARES and woxic — while fnatic, under blameF, focuses on structure, positional discipline, and methodical map control.
CURRENT FORM
- Aurora — a consistent favorite.
The Turkish lineup (#9 HLTV ranking) holds a 78% win rate over the past three months and stands as one of the main playoff contenders. XANTARES remains the team’s leader with a 1.18 rating, 89.8 ADR, and 75.3% KAST. woxic continues to shine as the main AWPer with a 1.17 rating, while Wicadia adds aggression on entry positions. Aurora plays with a well-defined role distribution and benefits from the analytical expertise of coach Fabre, making them versatile across most maps.
- fnatic — a new beginning with blameF.
After a roster overhaul, the team (#22 HLTV ranking) gained a major boost with Danish IGL blameF, who combines the roles of captain and key entry fragger. His 1.17 rating and 86.9 ADR show consistent performance even in losses. KRIMZ has regained form, supporting the young trio of jackasmo, jambo, and fear, but the team still struggles with synergy in decisive rounds. Over the past three months, fnatic have maintained a 50% win rate, with wins over paiN, TYLOO, and 9INE, but losses to 3DMAX and Heroic.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics for the past three months (Aurora | fnatic):
- Dust2: 45% | 60%
- Mirage: 42% | 60%
- Inferno: 62% | 58%
- Nuke: 42% | —
- Train: 83% | 72%
- Overpass: 62% | 58%
- Ancient: 0% | 58%
Predicted veto:
As usual, Aurora will ban Ancient, while fnatic are expected to remove Nuke, a map they have not practiced recently.
Expected picks:
- Aurora: Inferno or Train
- fnatic: Mirage or Overpass
The likely decider map is Dust2, where Aurora hold an advantage in positional control and 5v4 round conversions.
KEY DUELS
- XANTARES vs blameF — the central clash of the match. Both are driving forces for their teams: XANTARES through raw aggression and tempo, blameF through strategic vision and stability.
- woxic vs jackasmo — a duel of generations among AWPers, where experience could play a decisive role.
- KRIMZ vs Wicadia — the fight for control over the B-site and mid area, which may determine the balance in post-plant rounds.
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PREDICTION
Aurora enters the tournament in better form — consistent statistics, a deep map pool, and a clear in-game system. fnatic have the potential to challenge them but are still seeking cohesion in their new lineup. A close Bo3 is expected, but Aurora’s LAN experience and XANTARES’s stability could prove decisive.
Predicted score: Aurora 2–1 fnatic
