StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs open with Vitality against The MongolZ — a quarterfinal clash where every series will determine the team’s future in the championship. A win guarantees a place in the semifinals and keeps the title dream alive. A loss means the journey in Budapest ends here.
The pressure is immense: Vitality aim to claim another major trophy, while The MongolZ are already rewriting history by reaching the top 8 despite widespread skepticism from analysts.
STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025 PLAYOFFS — TIME FOR BIG DECISIONS
The playoffs take place from December 11 to 14 in the Hungarian capital. There are no Bo1s or second chances here: every match is a Bo3 survival battle.
Vitality and The MongolZ step into the arena in great spirits after strong group stage performances, but the level of competition is now completely different. Every round is a battle of nerves, and experience becomes the factor that may decide everything.
HEAD-TO-HEAD — COMPLETE VITALITY DOMINANCE
These teams have faced each other dozens of times — and Vitality consistently control the duel.
Official match statistics:
- Vitality — 18 wins
- The MongolZ — 7 wins
- 2 matches — in overtime
Even their most recent meetings show: when Vitality are in form, The MongolZ have almost no room to operate.
CURRENT FORM
- Vitality — stability, class, and champion experience
The team displays a high level of play: a clear structure, strong trade factor, and maximum utilization of star power. ZywOo is once again performing like the world’s number one, and ropz reliably secures flanks.
Vitality enter matches fully prepared and do not gift their opponents easy opportunities.
- The MongolZ — the playoffs sensation
Despite roster challenges, the team displays grit and adaptability. Their aggression works well against unstable adversaries, but is that enough versus Vitality, who rarely fail in macro-control?
TEDD about the teams:
With the recent changes in The MongolZ and losing your biggest star in Senzu, it’s impressive they made the quarterfinals, but Vitality should be able to get this done.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics from the last 3 months (Vitality | The MongolZ):
- Dust2: 86% | 45%
- Mirage: 83% | 50%
- Inferno: 69% | 55%
- Nuke: 50% | 40%
- Train: 50% | —
- Overpass: 57% | 50%
- Ancient: — | 65%
Expected veto:
- The MongolZ will remove Dust2 — ZywOo and ropz are too strong on this map
- Vitality will ban Ancient — The MongolZ’s most stable battleground
Likely picks:
- Vitality: Mirage — mid-control map where the French roster excels in denying space
- The MongolZ: Inferno — their chance to impose tempo and fragment the defense
Decider: Overpass — historically more comfortable for Vitality, especially on defense
KEY DUELS
- ZywOo vs 910 — superstar versus breakout sensation
- ropz vs bLitz — battle of lurkers
- flameZ vs Techno — key fight for early-round tempo
In a Bo3, the supporting cast may ultimately decide the result.
PREDICTION
Analyst TEDD’s prediction:
I think Vitality should have this one in the bag every day of the week. Even if it’s a three-map series or they drop Mirage, they are still the better team right now.
The MongolZ have impressed everyone, once again showcasing courage and high-impact play. But against Vitality you need more than momentum: depth, composure, and elite clutch decision-making are required to win at this level.
Vitality currently possess the stronger lineup, more experience, and a clearer game plan in the playoffs.
Predicted result: Vitality 2–0 The MongolZ
