The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 semi-finals deliver the most anticipated matchup of the season — Spirit versus Vitality. Both teams have looked convincing throughout the playoffs: Spirit defeated Liquid and Falcons, while Vitality dismantled The MongolZ without giving them a real chance in the quarter-finals. This is not just a battle for a spot in the final — it is a clash between the two defining forces of 2025 and the ultimate donk vs ZywOo showdown, a rivalry shaping the current era of Counter-Strike.
Current Form & Context
Spirit enter the semi-final as the most consistent team of the Major:
- 2–0 vs Liquid in the group stage
- 2–1 vs MOUZ in the playoff qualification match
- 2–0 vs Falcons — one of the strongest quarter-final performances
Key factors behind Spirit’s run:
- donk — 1.32 rating, 0.88 KPR, 1.49 multi-kill rating; one of the best playoff performances of the year
- sh1ro has returned to his clutch-machine form
- chopper perfectly controls T-side tempo, especially on Ancient and Overpass
- tN1R stabilizes both sides as the glue of the lineup
Spirit are a team that does not break under pressure and consistently impose their own pace. If donk starts the series hot, Vitality face their worst possible scenario.
Vitality arrived at the Major after a brief period of inconsistency, but the playoffs brought back their best version:
2–0 vs The MongolZ — complete control on Mirage and Dust2 in the quarter-finals
Vitality’s strengths:
- ZywOo — 1.31 rating, 0.82 KPR, +3.38% round swing
- ropz is delivering one of his strongest CS2 tournaments as the perfect secondary tempo element
- mezii consistently wins key micro-duels
- flameZ is in top entry form during the playoffs
- apEX once again provides S-tier structural leadership
Vitality thrive in high-level series. Their flexibility, rapid mid-round adaptations, and deep preparation make them dangerous against any opponent.
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Head-to-Head — Vitality lead, but Spirit know how to break them
Over the last few years, the teams have played 20 maps in total:
- Vitality — 12 wins
- Spirit — 6 wins
- 2 maps went to overtime
H2H tendencies:
- Vitality consistently dominate Nuke and Mirage
- Spirit find success on Ancient and Overpass, relying on strong CT sides and donk’s individual impact
All recent BO3 series have been extremely close, often decided by just 2–3 rounds. In their two most recent meetings this season (BLAST Rivals Season 2), Spirit managed to:
- Defeat Vitality on Dust2 (13–11)
- Lose Mirage narrowly (13–16)
For the first time in a long while, Spirit showed they can disrupt Vitality’s structure — adding real intrigue to this semi-final.
Map Pool & Veto Analysis (Bo3, last 3 months)
Winrates (3 months):
- Dust2: Spirit 70% | Vitality 88%
- Mirage: Spirit 50% | Vitality 86%
- Inferno: Spirit — | Vitality 69%
- Nuke: Spirit 33% | Vitality 50%
- Train: Spirit — | Vitality 50%
- Overpass: Spirit 67% | Vitality 57%
- Ancient: Spirit 83% | Vitality —
Likely bans (1st phase):
- Spirit remove Inferno — they do not play the map, while Vitality hold a strong 69% win rate
- Vitality remove Ancient — Spirit’s 83% WR makes it one of their most dangerous maps, with donk dominating almost any opponent there
Likely picks:
- Spirit pick Overpass – 67% WR, strong CT foundations, sh1ro controls early zones, donk dominates key duels, Vitality often struggle with mid-round adaptations here
- Vitality pick Dust2 – 88% WR, one of their best maps, ZywOo has his highest impact here, Spirit wins on Dust2 have mostly come in very close games
Most probable decider:
Mirage — both teams are comfortable, Vitality boast an 86% WR and a refined strategic playbook, Spirit shine in micro-duels and benefit heavily from donk’s mid control
Key Duels
donk vs ZywOo
The defining duel of the Major:
- donk excels in raw aggression and multi-kills
- ZywOo is more consistent in clutches and late-round decision-making
sh1ro vs ropz
A crucial secondary battle:
- sh1ro controls tempo and economy
- ropz is one of the most reliable T-side lurkers in the world
flameZ vs zweiH
Entry versus young rifler: if flameZ finds momentum, Spirit may be forced into reactive play rather than proactive setups
VRS Impact — rankings on the line
Spirit (#5)
- +50 points if they win
- −13 points if they lose
Vitality (#2)
- +18 points if they win
- −18 points if they lose
Vitality risk losing their top-2 position, while Spirit could climb into the world’s top three for the first time this season.
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.
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Prediction
Spirit enter the semi-final with donk in peak form and relentless pressure, but Vitality remain the more complete Bo3 team. Their deeper map pool, stronger mid-round control, and ability to slow the game down give them a clear edge in high-pressure series. ZywOo is in excellent shape, while ropz and mezii consistently limit Spirit’s aggression.
Spirit can take a map, but over the full distance Vitality’s structure and experience should prevail.
Expected Score: Vitality 2–1 Spirit
