StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 begins with the clash between FaZe and Passion UA — both teams start the Swiss stage with a 0:0 record. The winner gains an important advantage by moving to 1:0 and taking the first step toward Stage 3, while the loser falls into the less favorable 0:1 bracket. This is one of the most intriguing opening-round matches, as experience meets a hungry newcomer ready for upsets.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 — the road to the championship stage
The stage will run from November 29 to December 2 in Budapest.
16 teams fight for spots in the decisive Stage 3. Among the participants: NAVI, FaZe, Astralis, Team Liquid, TYLOO, M80, B8, Ninjas in Pyjamas, PARIVISION, Imperial and others.
Format: Bo1 in matches without direct elimination or qualification and Bo3 in decisive matchups. FaZe vs Passion UA — one of the central games of the opening round, where a favorite faces an ambitious rookie of the Major scene.
Head-to-head — a new storyline
FaZe and Passion UA have not met officially with their current lineups.
Both teams have contrasting styles: FaZe rely on structure and experience, while Passion UA rely on aggression and high tempo.
Current world rankings:
- FaZe — #13 in the world
- Passion UA — #21 in the world
The favorite is clear, but Passion UA have already proven they can break pre-match predictions.
Current form
- FaZe — a decorated favorite searching for stability
FaZe (#13 HLTV, #17 VRS) finished 6th–8th in Stage 1, defeating Fluxo and RED Canids but losing to NiP and NRG. The team shows inconsistency, yet the individual level of frozen, broky and Twistzz still wins rounds by itself.
A key factor — karrigan’s leadership, once again guiding the team through a difficult stretch.
- Passion UA — ready to battle the elite
Passion UA (#21 HLTV, #27 VRS) performed well in Stage 1 with victories over Nexus, GenOne and Acend. Despite late-stage losses, they show mature macro play and sharp mechanics.
Grim and hallzerk stand out notably — their form will be critical against FaZe.
Map Pool & Veto
Statistics from the past 3 months (FaZe | Passion UA):
- Dust2: 42% | 67%
- Mirage: 64% | —
- Inferno: 44% | 36%
- Nuke: 50% | 56%
- Train: 100% (2 maps) | 57%
- Overpass: 33% | 50%
- Ancient: 44% | 33%
Expected veto:
- FaZe remove Dust2 — the strongest map for Passion UA
- Passion UA ban Mirage — FaZe’s comfort pick
Likely picks:
- FaZe: Nuke — strong balance and tempo control
- Passion UA: Overpass — room for creative offense
Decider: Inferno — historically balanced for both teams
Key duels
- frozen vs Grim — entry power may define the match
- Twistzz vs KVem — who wins the crucial duels more consistently?
- karrigan vs JT — clash of ideas and round pacing
These duels could entirely shift the direction of the Bo1.
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Prediction
FaZe have the favorite status, higher individual level and significantly more experience in matches of this scale. Passion UA can create problems, but an upset would require a near-perfect day from the entire roster.
In a Bo1, the difference in class usually becomes even more visible — and FaZe should capitalize on that.
Predicted result: FaZe 1–0 Passion UA
