FlyQuest and M80 have become the first teams to secure a place in Stage 2 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.
Victory for the Australian side marks the first time in six years a team from the region has reached the second stage of a Valve-sanctioned Counter-Strike 2 tournament.
FlyQuest And M80 Advance
After beginning its Budapest campaign with two wins over Legacy and Imperial Esports, FlyQuest’s 2-0 record managed to blow the majority of Pick ‘Em predictions out of the water.
Joining the Australians in round three was Brazilian side Fluxo, another team springing a surprise against statistically superior opposition.
FlyQuest dominated from the outset, taking Overpass 13-1 and Inferno 13-3 to complete a convincing 2-0 sweep and earn a place in Stage 2.
In the second qualification match, M80 decimated an NRG side competing with its coach as a temporary stand-in. M80 continued its strong early form, scoring a 2-0 sweep to represent North America in the next phase of the tournament.
Two Asian Teams Knocked Out
Rare Atom became the first team sent home from the Budapest Major after failing to win any of its three Stage 1 matches. The fate of the Chinese side was sealed after a defeat by GamerLegion.
The Huns Esports managed to stay alive in the Hungarian capital with a victory over Lynn Vision Gaming to send the Chinese side home without a win.
Technical problems plagued the round three match between the two sides, and after a lengthy period of downtime, the Mongolian side emerged victorious to remain in contention for a Stage 2 place.
FaZe Clan On the Brink
Following a victory over Lynn Vision Gaming and a defeat to NRG in the first two rounds, FaZe Clan aimed to secure an advantageous fourth round in Stage 1. However, to do that, the team had to beat Ninjas in Pyjamas in round three.
Despite glimpses of brilliance from Jakub ‘jcobbb’ Pietruszewski on Overpass, a lack of cohesion from the Antwerp Major champions saw NiP secure a 13-8 BO1 victory, its second win of the tournament.
FaZe Clan finds itself in a must-win scenario in round four to remain in with a chance of making it to the next stage
Europe Wakes Up
After a slow start during the opening day, European teams started showing their prowess in round three. In addition to Ninjas in Pyjamas conquering FaZe Clan, B8 emerged victorious over Parivision, putting the ESL Challenger League Europe winners on the verge of elimination.
Fnatic also flexed its muscles against Imperial Esports. A convincing 13-3 scoreline on Train sees the Fragadelphia Blocktober champions move on to round four with a 2-1 record, earning two chances to secure a place in the next stage.
GamerLegion lived to fight another day after beginning the Major with two defeats. A 2-0 sweep of Rare Atom gives the team, which is struggling to find consistency, another opportunity to earn qualification.
What’s Next
With the first teams heading home from Budapest, attention turns to the fourth round of matches taking place on November 26th.
Day three of the StarLadder Budapest Major features more qualification and elimination as Stage 1 enters its final phase.
