StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 reaches its most intense phase: the playoffs, where there is no room for mistakes anymore. MOUZ and FaZe meet in the quarterfinals, and only the winner will continue the journey toward the championship title. For one side, this is a chance to secure top-team status; for the other, the last opportunity to reclaim the throne.
MOUZ enter the match as a stable and tactically mature lineup, while FaZe find themselves once again in the environment where they historically shine the brightest: a big stage under maximum pressure.
STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025 PLAYOFFS — BATTLE FOR THE SEMIFINALS
The playoffs take place from December 11 to 14 in Budapest. The format is unforgiving: every match is Bo3, and a single mistake can end a team’s Major run.
MOUZ and FaZe clash right at the start of the playoffs — a matchup worthy of a grand final. The reward for victory: a Top-4 finish and a guaranteed fight for $500,000.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD — A BALANCED RIVALRY WITH HISTORY
FaZe previously held the upper hand in this matchup, but over the last six months MOUZ have been the ones coming out on top. They currently hold a higher world ranking (#4), better results this season, and stronger tactical structure.
However, FaZe have proven time and time again: when the stakes are highest, their championship experience can decide entire series.
CURRENT FORM
- MOUZ — structural clarity and tactical sophistication
MOUZ display disciplined, systematic Counter-Strike. They confidently control tempo, rely on polished protocols, and rarely allow opponents space to operate. Their structure enables them to win even when individual duels go against them. In playoffs, such a style becomes a decisive argument against chaotic aggression.
- FaZe — unstable, but dangerous with championship DNA
FaZe remain streaky from match to match: sometimes sharp and dominant, sometimes collapsing in early halves and losing economy control. Yet under the lights of a big arena and in the highest-pressure moments, FaZe activate their championship instinct: clutch power, world-class highlights, confident decisions. This quality alone can dismantle even more structured opponents.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics (last 3 months): MOUZ | FaZe
- Dust2: — | 50%
- Mirage: 25% | 57%
- Inferno: 82% | 67%
- Nuke: 40% | 64%
- Train: 100% | —
- Overpass: 71% | 50%
- Ancient: 33% | 44%
Expected bans:
- MOUZ remove Dust2 — FaZe are too comfortable there
- FaZe remove Train — MOUZ show perfect control on this map
Likely picks:
- MOUZ choose Inferno: strong CT and excellent opponent-reading
- FaZe pick Nuke: dominant A-site presence and deep playbook
Decider: Overpass is a likely third map — MOUZ hold an edge in micro-communication and retakes.
KEY DUELS
- xertioN vs Twistzz — positional supremacy
- Spinx vs frozen — lurker battle for information and timings
- torzsi vs broky — AWP discipline vs explosive aggression
In a Major quarterfinal, these duels can decide the entire series.
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PREDICTION
Expert prediction from TEDD:
This is the complicated one. MOUZ are the better team in terms of their playbook, protocols, and tactical structure. But FaZe have that magic that can make MOUZ collapse under pressure. It’s the arena, it’s the stage, it’s high stakes. FaZe have nothing to lose; MOUZ have everything to lose. So I’ll take a wild prediction here and go with FaZe.
Analysts consider MOUZ the favorite. But FaZe return to the environment where they are historically unbreakable. The arena, the crowd, the moment — these often elevate FaZe to their peak.
Predicted result: FaZe 2–1 MOUZ
