StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 3 begins with a matchup between Passion UA and G2 — both teams start with a shared 0:0 record in the Swiss system. The winner immediately takes a crucial step forward, improving their chances of reaching the playoffs. The loser drops into a less favorable bracket, where every next mistake could be fatal. This match carries enormous importance: Passion UA want to continue their Cinderella story, while G2 aim to prove their top-tier status in a LAN environment.
STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025 STAGE 3 — THE ROAD TO PLAYOFFS
Stage 3 runs from December 4 to 8 in Budapest, where 16 of the strongest teams in the world are competing for playoff positions. NAVI, FaZe, Vitality, MOUZ, Liquid — and among them, G2 and Passion UA, who meet right at the start of this decisive phase.
The format remains brutally strict: Bo1 for the regular round matches and Bo3 for advancement or elimination. Under such conditions, one map can completely change the fate of a tournament — slow starts are not forgiven here.
HEAD-TO-HEAD — FIRST CHAPTER OF THE RIVALRY
This is the first official meeting between these lineups. The lack of matchup history adds extra tension — the teams have no ready-made answers for the opponent’s style and must adapt on the fly.
In the world rankings, G2 hold a position inside the top 10, while Passion UA sit around top 25. But the Major has already shown many times: on LAN, rankings can become irrelevant.
CURRENT FORM
- G2 — individual firepower and experience
G2 possess a star-studded lineup, well-prepared maps, and strong LAN results. In Bo1, player quality often becomes the defining factor.
- Passion UA — the team that has already exceeded expectations
The Ukrainian-international squad keeps surprising. They play boldly, aggressively, and without fear of big names. But now they face their toughest test yet.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics from the last 3 months (Passion UA | G2):
- Dust2: 60% | 78%
- Mirage: 25% | 22%
- Inferno: 46% | 77%
- Nuke: 62% | not played
- Train: 60% | 71%
- Overpass: 67% | 29%
- Ancient: 40% | 33%
Expected veto:
- Passion UA will almost certainly remove Inferno or Ancient, where G2 have a comfortable structure and strong execution.
- G2 will logically ban Nuke, where Passion UA have exceptionally good statistics and clear ideas in attack.
Likely picks:
- Passion UA: the most logical choice appears to be Overpass — a map where they confidently manage mid-rounds and maintain site control thanks to Grim and hallzerk.
- G2: the most obvious option is Dust2, their stable map with a high win percentage and strong openings from SunPayus and huNter-.
Decider: If the veto ends up balanced, the deciding map could be Train. Both teams play it frequently, but G2’s clutch potential and LAN experience may become decisive in a Bo1 scenario — where one mistake can cost the entire match.
KEY DUELS
- SunPayus vs hallzerk — the AWP duel that will set the tempo
- huNter- vs Grim — battle for map initiative
- malbsMd vs Kvem — who opens up the sites better
In Bo1, every clutch or first kill can decide the outcome.
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PREDICTION
Passion UA have already proved they can compete, but G2 hold clear dominance in firepower, structure, and experience under intense pressure. In a Bo1 format, those factors often define the result before the map even reaches the halfway point.
Prediction from expert Mauisnake: G2 will win
Projected result: G2 1–0 Passion UA
