StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs continue with the quarterfinal matchup Spirit versus Falcons. The winner advances, staying on the path toward the championship title, while the loser has their season’s biggest dream stopped immediately. At this stage there is no room for mistakes — every map is equal to the fate of the team at the Major.
This match carries special weight: Spirit want to return to the trophy fight after performance drops in the second half of the year, while Falcons aim to confirm their status as one of the key favorites of the event.
STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025 PLAYOFFS — THE ROAD TO THE TITLE
The playoffs are played in a Bo3 format, where everything is decided on stage in Budapest in front of a live audience. Here, not only form is tested, but also psychology, character, and the ability to perform under maximum pressure.
Spirit and Falcons have already clashed multiple times this year, and now their battle moves to the Major stage. The final is only two rounds away, and this match will determine who remains among the elite.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD — A TREND FAVORING FALCONS
Matches in 2025:
- Spirit: 1 win
- Falcons: 6 wins
- 3 times — overtime
Falcons clearly dominate in head-to-head statistics.
Their ability to control clutch moments and their solidity in late rounds have repeatedly become decisive against Spirit.
CURRENT FORM
- Spirit — explosive individual power
Spirit possess strong individual talent: sh1ro is consistently solid, and donk is capable of winning maps on his own. However, the team often lacks tempo control and psychological balance in series against top-tier opponents.
TEDD:
Spirit have individuals who can win you a game by themselves, but Falcons have that too.
- Falcons — a system that works
Falcons show a high level of discipline and team coordination. m0NESY and NiKo continue to deliver top individual performances, while the overall team balance helps maintain stability against any playstyle.
Falcons currently look more reliable in a Bo3: they have a deeper map pool and a refined decision-making structure.
TEDD:
I support the Falcons. I’ve already said that they have the potential to go all the way to the final. Donk has been excellent, but Falcons have the firepower — if m0NESY performs, if NiKo performs, Kyousuke has shown great form, and if they are mentally in the right place, I think they are the better team.
MAP POOL & VETO
Last 3 months statistics (Spirit | Falcons):
- Dust2: 67% | 80%
- Mirage: 50% | 78%
- Inferno: — | 57%
- Nuke: 20% | 73%
- Train: — | 25%
- Overpass: 67% | —
- Ancient: 83% | 83%
Expected veto:
- Spirit are likely to remove Mirage, the most stable map for Falcons
- Falcons will almost certainly ban Nuke, the weakest point for Spirit
Likely picks:
- Spirit: Ancient, where they excel in micro duels
- Falcons: Dust2, comfortable for NiKo and m0NESY in mid-control
The decider may become Overpass or Inferno, with a noticeable advantage for Falcons in late rounds.
KEY DUELS
- donk vs NiKo — who imposes their tempo on the game
- sh1ro vs m0NESY — an AWP battle of composure against aggression
- chopper vs kyo — game plan versus macro-structure
In playoffs, every first duel won can change an entire map scenario.
PREDICTION
Expert prediction from TEDD:
I expect a tight match, but considering the history and rivalry between NiKo, m0NESY, and Spirit, I would still choose Falcons.
Spirit have individuals capable of flipping the match single-handedly, but Falcons possess the more complete championship toolkit: consistent decision-making, a wider and more confident map pool, superior adaptability in Bo3 series, and a clear advantage in head-to-head results throughout the year. This gives Falcons the higher probability of success in this quarterfinal.
Predicted result: Falcons 2–1 Spirit
