Favourites flounder as new contenders emerge at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

The opening day of the StarLadder Budapest Main 2025 has already seen some early upsets, as unlikely underdogs have risen to go 2-0 in Stage 1.

Following a prolonged tech delay, there will probably be at the very least one stunning contender to advance straight to Stage 2, whereas notable names are already combating for his or her event lives.

As Australia’s sole consultant in Counter-Strike’s tentpole event, FlyQuest opened its Main marketing campaign in opposition to opposition that a number of members of the group had predicted to go 3-0.

The group kicked off its Main with a shock 13-10 victory over Brazilian group Legacy. The organisation then continued this momentum into spherical two, defeating Imperial Esports 13-6, changing into one of many first groups to qualify for Stage 2 on the earliest alternative.

After making the playoffs at BLAST Open London, M80 has continued to construct momentum following its success throughout the pond. The North American organisation bested B8 13-11 earlier than defeating Parivision 13-9, placing it on the verge of incomes a spot within the subsequent stage.

Elsewhere, Fluxo has continued an upward development for the Americas, impressing within the opening two rounds. A 13-10 win in opposition to GamerLegion shocked many, earlier than happening to defeat Fnatic 13-9 to cement its place within the 2-0 bracket.

Heading into the Main following a string of underwhelming performances, GamerLegion’s turbulent run of type has continued within the Hungarian capital. Defeats to Brazilian sides Fluxo and Pink Canids see the group among the many first to attain an 0-2 document, placing it on the point of an early elimination. 

With Damian ‘daps‘ Steele appearing as a brief stand-in, expectations for NRG have been considerably muted, with followers tipping the North American organisation to lose all three of its Stage 1 matches.

Regardless of the last-minute roster change, NRG has already turn out to be the standout shock of the event to this point. A 13-7 win over Ninjas in Pyjamas laid the foundations for a conflict in opposition to FaZe Clan. Daps led the cost as soon as once more with an impressed efficiency on Mud II, with NRG taking a 13-10 victory to safe a 2-0 document.

Alongside groups scoring two wins and two defeats, eight groups have scored one win and one defeat. CS Asia Championship 2025 winner Legacy responded following its defeat to FlyQuest with a snug 13-6 win over Uncommon Atom to stay in competition for a spot within the second stage

Alongside Legacy, Fnatic, Ninjas in Pyjamas, RED Canids, Imperial Esports, Parivision, B8 and FaZe Clan enter spherical three with a 1-1 document. In the meantime, GamerLegion, Uncommon Atom, The Huns and Lynn Imaginative and prescient Gaming are all within the lethal 0-2 bracket.

With the opening day of matches concluded, consideration turns to spherical three, the place the primary groups advance to Stage 2 whereas others pack their luggage and head to the airport. 

Followers can tune into day two of the StarLadder Budapest Main throughout the event organiser’s Twitch, YouTube, and Kick channels.