StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 begins with the duel between Liquid and B8 — both teams start with a 0:0 record in the Swiss system. A win immediately grants a 1:0 advantage and simplifies the path toward Stage 3 qualification, while a loss sends the team into the 0:1 bracket and adds serious pressure.
This match is extremely important for both sides: Liquid are looking to reinforce their status as a contender, while B8 aim to continue their rise after a confident performance in Stage 1.
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 2 — time to separate the contenders
The stage will run from November 29 to December 2 in Budapest. Sixteen teams will fight for spots in Stage 3 and a chance to keep their championship hopes alive. The participants include NAVI, FaZe, Astralis, Team Liquid, NiP — and B8, who advanced from Stage 1.
The tournament format remains unforgiving: Swiss matches are played in Bo1, while elimination and advancement games are Bo3. Under such conditions, every round matters: a single mistake early on can drastically impact the rest of the journey.
Liquid vs B8 is one of the most intriguing and unpredictable matchups of the opening round.
Head-to-head — first official encounter
Liquid and B8 have never faced each other in their current lineups. The lack of head-to-head history creates additional intrigue — both teams will need to adapt on the fly. The global rankings reflect their current status: Liquid are positioned at #15, while B8 hold the #23 spot. However, in a Bo1 format, numbers guarantee nothing.
Current form
- Liquid — ambition, experience, and the search for stability
Liquid enter Stage 2 with strong mechanical skill and extensive big-event experience. However, the team shows inconsistency against sides with well-structured play: their October series demonstrated that Liquid sometimes fail to convert key moments under pressure. The roles of NAF and siuhy draw particular attention — their impact often dictates pace and round outcomes.
- B8 — momentum after Stage 1
The Ukrainian roster arrives with momentum: three consecutive wins to close Stage 1 and high morale make them a dangerous underdog. Young talents like npl and headtr1ck continue to grow — either player is capable of shifting the game through raw individual skill.
The form of the two teams suggests one thing: Liquid have the favorite status, but B8 are absolutely not a team to underestimate.
Map Pool & Veto
Statistics for the past 3 months (Liquid | B8):
- Dust2: 62% | 27%
- Mirage: 77% | 69%
- Inferno: 50% | 44%
- Nuke: 50% | —
- Train: 17% | 50%
- Overpass: — | 50%
- Ancient: 78% | 58%
Expected veto:
- Liquid will remove Train — their weakest map with the lowest winrate
- B8 will remove Ancient — Liquid hold a strong statistical advantage there
Likely picks:
- Liquid: Mirage — a consistently strong map providing room for individual impact
- B8: Overpass — one of the most played and stable maps for the team recently
Decider: Inferno — a balanced map where both sides have similar performance levels
Key duels
- NAF vs npl — stability versus youthful audacity
- EliGE vs headtr1ck — either one can decide the most crucial moment
- siuhy vs kensizor — IGL battle for tactical decisions in clutches and retakes
Prediction
B8 enter Stage 2 in a positive rhythm, with fresh confidence and a desire to prove their level internationally. They can absolutely challenge Liquid and punish any lack of discipline.
But Liquid have greater LAN experience, a deeper map pool, and higher individual quality. In a Bo1, these factors are often decisive.
Predicted result: Liquid 0–1 B8
