The second week of the StarLadder Fall 2025 Europe Closed Qualifiers brought plenty of excitement for fans. August 15 was marked by decisive series in the group stage, where every win or loss could mean the difference between continuing the journey or being eliminated from the tournament. Some teams showed true character, while others could not handle the pressure of must-win matches.
TNL 1–2 ECSTATIC (Group C elimination match)
- Dust2: 8:13
- Train: 13:11
- Overpass: 8:13
The series began with TNL losing on their own pick, Dust2 — they failed to convert their early-round advantages, while ECSTATIC won crucial 2v2 situations and confidently closed out the map. On Train, TNL played with much more aggressive offense and a tighter defense, allowing them to turn the momentum in their favor. The decisive battle on Overpass was once again under the control of the Danish squad — their defense was well-coordinated, leaving no room for a comeback. Anton “Anlelele” Huynh (+13, 1.17) was the most impactful player for the winners, while consistent performances from sirah and Kristou (both 1.11) kept the pace high. For TNL, Dawy (1.07) stood out, doing his best to keep the team in the game until the very end.
BetBoom 0–2 fnatic (Group B elimination match)
- Overpass: 8:13
- Train: 8:13
fnatic handled their survival match in the bracket with confidence, showcasing tactical flexibility and composure in clutch situations. On Overpass, the UK-based organization quickly took control of the map, denying their opponents the chance to capitalize on their pick. Train played out in a similar fashion — an early lead for fnatic, a few successful retakes, and a calm series closure. Dmytro “jambo” Semera (1.30) was the engine of the team, supported by Cai “CYPHER” Watson’s (1.21) aggressive style. For BetBoom, Magnojez (1.13) was the most stable, but lacked enough team support to change the outcome.
Nemiga 1–2 Spirit Academy (Group D elimination match)
- Dust2: 7:13
- Mirage: 13:11
- Train: 11:13
This was one of the most intense series of the day, with each map telling its own mini-drama. Spirit Academy started with a convincing Dust2, where the young roster executed prepared strategies flawlessly and secured early-round openings. Nemiga struck back on Mirage, staying composed in critical moments and winning important force-buy rounds. Train turned into a real battleground — the lead switched hands several times, but in the end Spirit Academy tightened up and closed the series thanks to Mokuj1n (1.25) and robo (1.20). For Nemiga, Beksultan “khaN” Ospan delivered an incredible +25 performance (1.40).
OG 2–0 JIjieHao (Group C winners’ match)
- Mirage: 13:2
- Nuke: 13:9
OG looked far more confident than their opponents from the first to the last round. On Mirage, they dominated in duels, locking down key areas and breaking the opponent’s game plan by halftime (10:2). Nuke was more competitive, but OG maintained control and comfortably secured a clean 2–0 victory. This commanding performance shows OG are ready to fight for the top spots in their group.
Iberian Soul 2–0 FUT (Group C winners’ match)
- Nuke: 22:19 (OT)
- Mirage: 13:10
Nuke was a true marathon — FUT leveled the score several times, but Iberian Soul showed better composure in overtime and converted a series of critical rounds. On Mirage, the Spanish squad maintained their momentum despite several comeback attempts from the opponent, closing the series 2–0. Antonio “MartinezSa” (+12, 1.17) and David “dav1g” Granado (1.13) were key contributors in both attack and defense. For FUT, Dmytro “dem0n” Myroshnychenko (1.19) stood out, keeping his team in contention until the very end.
Passion UA 0–1 Ninjas in Pyjamas (Group A elimination match — forfeit win)
The match did not take place due to Passion UA’s withdrawal, giving NiP an automatic win and progression in the bracket.
Day Summary
It was a varied and action-packed day: ECSTATIC and fnatic proved they can perform under pressure and are not afraid of elimination series; Iberian Soul and OG confidently secured their places in the upper bracket; Spirit Academy, in dramatic fashion, sent Nemiga home, while NiP enjoyed a rest day thanks to a forfeit win. The tournament is entering its decisive phase, and the battles will only intensify from here.
