The first elimination matches of Stage 3 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 delivered both drama and the first officially eliminated teams. Liquid and PARIVISION, who entered the decisive day with a 0–2 record, failed to turn their tournament run around and fell to Passion UA and 3DMAX respectively. Both series ended 2–0, but each carried its own story — one about complete tactical control, the other about running out of stamina in the longest Bo3 of the stage.
Teams’ Road to the Elimination Matches
Liquid
Liquid entered Stage 3 already in shaky form:
- 9–13 vs The MongolZ on Inferno;
- 8–13 vs Spirit on Train.
The team repeatedly lost structure in key moments, and its star players struggled to consistently deliver — issues that had been building up throughout the entire Major.
PARIVISION
The Russian lineup had one of the toughest days among all teams:
- 6–13 vs NAVI on Ancient;
- 14–16 vs MOUZ on Overpass.
Their gameplay became increasingly chaotic, and macro mistakes turned critical right before the elimination match.
Passion UA
The Ukrainian squad arrived in the 0–2 pool despite a solid start to the Major:
- 5–13 vs Falcons (Nuke);
- 8–13 vs G2 (Mirage).
Although Passion UA lacked stability, they maintained structure and confidence — which became the key difference in the match against Liquid.
3DMAX
The French team opened Stage 3 with two difficult losses:
- 4–13 vs Vitality (Nuke);
- 10–13 vs paiN (Nuke).
Even so, 3DMAX remained competitive in duels and noticeably improved their late-series performance — a foundation that carried them through against PARIVISION.
read more
Passion UA 2–0 Liquid — Ukraine Advance for the First Time at a Major
Train — 13:11: Slow Start for Liquid, Maximum Stability From Passion UA
Passion UA picked their strongest map — and fully justified the decision.
Key factors:
- Kvemm (1.42 rating) dominated clutch rounds and early duels.
- JT and nicx played disciplined, low-error CS across the map.
- Liquid repeatedly lost initiative after every failed entry.
Despite several strong rounds from NAF and EliGE, Passion UA’s structure held firm: 13–11.
Mirage — 13:10: Liquid Had Chances but Lost Every Critical Moment
Liquid selected Mirage as a tactical counterpick, but:
- ultimate and NertZ couldn’t consistently win duels;
- Passion UA controlled mid and late-round tempo;
- Kvemm and JT again delivered in every key round.
Result: 13–10 and a historic first advancement for Passion UA in a Major Stage 3 match.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the Series — Kvemm
Kvemm was the driving force behind Passion UA’s victory: steady impact on both maps, crucial clutch wins, and high ADR that maintained momentum against Liquid’s volatile style.
Kvemm’s Stats:
- 37–30 K-D
- 103 ADR
- 83% KAST
- +2.16% swing
- Rating 3.0: 1.42
3DMAX 2–1 PARIVISION — French Comeback and Graviti’s Best Match of the Tournament
Dust2 — 16:12: PARIVISION Show Their Peak Form
PARIVISION’s Dust2 pick became their best map of the series:
- xiELO and Nota dominated on the T side;
- 3DMAX lost initiative in nearly every duel.
This would be PARIVISION’s final strong showing at the Major.
Inferno — 8:13: 3DMAX Find Their Rhythm
After a rough opener, the French lineup adapted:
- bodyy stabilized economy and mid-round calling;
- Ex3rcice consistently secured key entries;
- Maka created space and controlled rotations.
PARIVISION failed to escape the tactical trap.
Ancient — 13:8: 3DMAX Confidently Close the Decider
3DMAX took control of Ancient early and never let it slip.
Key points:
- solid site holds from bodyy and Ex3rcice;
- Graviti winning crucial mid duels;
- PARIVISION failed most executes and couldn’t stabilize their economy;
- 3DMAX secured every decisive round after the side switch.
A deserved 13–8 and complete structural control from the French team.
Player statistics for the match
Player of the Series — Graviti
Graviti (1.22 rating) delivered his best performance of the tournament and outright dismantled PARIVISION in the final map.
Graviti’s Stats:
- 55–45 K-D
- 88.4 ADR
- 81.4% KAST
- +0.80% swing
- Rating 3.0: 1.22
PARIVISION lost every essential round on both sides.
VRS Results
- Passion UA: +48 points — jump to #20 (+6 positions)
- Liquid: –23 points — fall to #13
- 3DMAX: +26 points — rise to #16
- PARIVISION: –14 points — remain #18
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.
Closing Thoughts
The first day of elimination matches in Stage 3 confirmed a simple truth: pressure either forges teams or breaks them instantly. Passion UA delivered one of the biggest upsets of the Major, defeating Liquid in a Bo3 for the first time and staying alive in the 1–2 pool. 3DMAX, meanwhile, showed composure and resilience to claim a hard-fought victory, while PARIVISION and Liquid end their Major run.
Ahead lies another intense day that will finally define the teams fighting for playoff contention at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.
