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StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Quarterfinals: Fixtures, Preview, and Prediction
The stage is set, the MVM dome is ready and we have the final eight teams playing the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. These teams have survived the grueling Swiss stages and will now play in front of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, crowds Counter-Strike has ever seen.
Taking the center stage, surrounded by the cheering fans, the teams not only battle their opponents but the pressure from the audience for the second Counter-Strike 2 Major of 2025.
Budapest Major 2025 Quarterfinals
Team Spirit vs. Team Falcons [December 11 5:00 pm CET | 8:00 am PT]
The Spirit vs. Falcons clash represent the two polar opposites of star teams in Counter-Strike esports. On one hand, a team single star leading the charge, on the other, a team of stars. Both have found immense success, while also struggling to truly establish themselves as the best team of the year.
While both play to win, the stakes are very different on both sides. For NiKo and the Falcons, the trophy is a quiet redemption for the disappointments they have faced. For Spirit, another Major trophy only further cements their already established legacy as a CS2 top dog.
Both teams look in amazing shape. For Falcons, NiKo and Kyousuke tore through the competition in Stage 3, while m0NESY found his footing during the final few maps. Donk and Spirit hit the ground running, cleaning up the house for an early 3-0 Playoffs qualification.
In 2025, Falcons have always won the clash against Team Spirit. A big part of it is the Falcons' collective firepower overpowering donk. The sheer ability of Falcons’ stars to carry a game together and as individuals largely balances out donk’s domination. Added to this is the fact that a major weakness of Falcons’ map pool, Inferno, is Spirit’s permaban.
We expect the upcoming game to fall into the same pattern where donk shows up but NiKo, m0NESY and Kyousuke’s collective starpower outshines him, resulting in a Team Falcons victory. The outcome of the game will completely shift, though, if the rest of the Spirit shows up slightly better than they have showed up at Budapest.
Team Vitality vs The MongolZ [December 11 8:00 pm CET | 11:00 am PT]
Both Vitality and MongolZ have defined CS esports in 2025 in their own ways. With Team Vitality, we saw what peak CS looks like, what happens when a team has perfect pieces in perfect position with maximum synergy. Even if Vitality doesn't win another round, they have established themselves as the overall best team of 2025.
The MongolZ' rise and ascent was an example of persistence. A team that rose from a weaker region and took on the biggest stars of the games and brought them down. This clash gets even more dramatic knowing Vitality defeated the MongolZ at the Grand Finals of the Austin Major 2025.
Both of these teams look in good shape. Vitality might not be in their peak form, but they are slowly powering up. Despite losing Senzu, MongolZ looked deadly. Controlez, the replacement of the Mongolian youngster, has been an amazing addition to the team.
The clash is familiar territory for both teams. They have played each other a total of 9 times, and Vitality have won seven of these faceoffs. However, that was with Senzu still a part of the MongolZ.
Vitality hasn't faced the new version of the MongolZ, and it might mean trouble for the European squad. But there is enough experience and individual talent on the team to adjust to whatever curveball the Mongolian squad throws their way.
We do expect a really close game, but it slightly favors Team Vitality, purely off the ceiling of the squad. MongolZ still very much can win the game, especially if controlez continues dominating.
MOUZ vs. FaZe Clan [December 12 5:00 pm CET | 8:00 am PT]
The MOUZ vs. FaZe Clan is a clash deeply rooted in the relationship between the two squads. For the longest time, the prolific rookies from MOUZ (prev. mousesports) found themselves achieving greater heights with FaZe Clan. The tradition started with NiKo, then ropz, and the latest being frozen (no, karrigan isn’t a rookie.)
In 2025, MOUZ was seen as a heavy favorite over FaZe Clan for the first time, and have consistently defeated the fan-favorite team. In the same breath, it should be mentioned that MOUZ is the one team amongst the Playoffs teams that FaZe Clan has a solid chance against.
Objectively, MOUZ should clear FaZe Clan, but they are inconsistent and have succumbed to the pressure throughout the year. And compared to their opponents, a team that thrives under pressure and is on a legendary run, they might find themselves on the opposite side of an upset.
The duel that will shape the outcome of the series is the hometown hero, torzsi, taking on FaZe’s very own broky. MOUZ’s AWPer should be the obvious winner since broky runs very hot and cold. But it is the Major and it is FaZe, and Magic is in the air. Meaning, this is an upset, but FaZe Clan is likely to win the bout against MOUZ.
FURIA vs. Natus Vincere [December 12 8:00 pm CET | 11:00 am PT ]
The community expectations from the two competitors in this clash are drastically different.
FURIA stands as the biggest favorites to win the whole Major. The Brazilian squad with the addition of YEKINDAR and molodoy have been on a legendary run. They dominate the biggest teams and look sharp doing it. Naturally, they are expected to carry through the heavy momentum in the Major and secure a trophy.
NAVI, despite their strong performance, aren’t expected to make it through to the Semis. Moreover, over the past year, they have continuously failed to establish themselves as one of the top 5 CS teams. They are better than every tier 2 team, but they cannot consistently beat any tier 1 team, leading to lukewarm expectations.
The teams have faced each other at the Major already with FURIA absolutely dunking on NAVI with a 13-2 scoreline. While NAVI has shown a better overall performance after that, they still struggled against the top teams. Objectively, NAVI is a strong team that can rival their competitors. Unfortunately, their players have not yet shown an additional gear that will be required to stop a FURIA squad that is propelled by the back-to-back-to-back trophy wins momentum.
Moreover, FalleN’s experience ensures his team doesn’t treat the game lightly, meaning they come guns blazing, irrespective of their previous results. Ultimately, this is FURIA’s game through and through, and they should easily win the fixture. The one win condition for NAVI here is w0nderful completely out classing molodoy and the rest of NAVI showing up in the way b1t has at the Major.
Where to Watch
StarLadder will broadcast the Budapest Major 2025 on Twitch, YouTube and Kick.
- Twitch: Primary Broadcast | Secondary Broadcast
- YouTube: Primary Broadcast | Secondary Broadcast
- Kick: Primary Broadcast | Secondary Broadcast
The three big English co-streamers for the event will be GeT_RiGhT, fl0m, and Ohnepixel. You can also check out Gaules during FURIA games, for the pure Brazilian passion. You can also follow the tournament on Strafe with live score, hottest news, latest results and more.
Need more information on the Budapest Major 2025, check out the following articles:
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Featured Image Credits: StarLadder CS2
Read More: StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Playoffs Pick’Em Challenge Guide