The pressure of the playoff stage always exposes a team’s true form. Sometimes, just two maps are enough to completely overturn expectations for the entire tournament.
Tournament context
StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs are the decisive stage of the tournament, where the eight strongest teams remain. Playoff matches are played in a single-elimination format as Best of 3 series. A loss means immediate elimination, while a win is a step toward the title and a significant boost in Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points, which directly affect the global ranking.
The quarterfinal matches determine the semifinalists, where every series is already viewed as a potential final.
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How the match unfolded — FaZe vs MOUZ
Score: 2:0 in favor of FaZe
- Nuke (FaZe pick) — 13:11
MOUZ looked confident at the start and put up a strong fight in the first half, but after the side switch FaZe significantly increased the pace. frozen and Twistzz consistently opened rounds, while broky won key AWP duels, preventing MOUZ from stabilizing their economy. The closing stages of the map were fully controlled by FaZe. - Inferno (MOUZ pick) — 13:2
The second map turned into complete domination by FaZe. The team quickly broke the opponent’s defense, winning most early rounds through aggressive executions and perfect timing. MOUZ failed to adapt both on offense and defense, and the series rapidly became one-sided.
Player of the Match — Helvijs “broky” Saukants
The Latvian sniper became the main driving force behind FaZe’s victory and the decisive factor of the series.
- K–D: 40–17
- ADR: 98.8
- Rating 3.0: 1.62
Key impact: complete control of AWP duels, constant pressure on the opponent’s economy, and confident play in decisive round moments. It was broky who shut down MOUZ’s comeback hopes on Nuke and definitively closed the series on Inferno.
VRS results
- FaZe — +37 pt → 1690 pt (rise in the global rankings and stronger positioning in the top 12)
- MOUZ — –18 pt → 1882 pt (a painful loss of points after an early playoff exit)
For FaZe, this victory became an important step toward ranking stability. For MOUZ, it was a serious blow to their ambitions and VRS position.
What’s next?
FaZe advance to the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 semifinals
The team continues its title run and prepares for an even tougher opponent in the next round.
MOUZ are eliminated from the tournament
One of the main championship contenders ends its run at the quarterfinal stage, marking one of the biggest surprises of the playoffs.
Match summary
FaZe delivered one of the loudest upsets of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, confidently defeating MOUZ 2:0. A clear game structure, broky’s dominance, and complete control of the pace left no chances for the favorite. The playoffs continue, but it is already clear: this Major does not forgive even the smallest mistakes.
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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.
