3DMAX Dominate NiP to Claim Final Stage 3 Spot at StarLadder Budapest Major

3DMAX Dominate NiP to Claim Final Stage 3 Spot at StarLadder Budapest Major

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3DMAX Crush NiP to Seal Final Stage 3 Berth

3DMAX secured the last available slot in Stage 3 of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 after dismantling Ninjas in Pyjamas (NiP) with a commanding 2–0 series win in the decisive Swiss-round match. 

NiP — who appeared to be back on track with a 2–0 start to Stage 2 — squandered their opportunity after earlier setbacks against FaZe and PARIVISION, both culminating in overtime losses. 

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Map-by-Map: Ancient & Train Domination

• On Ancient, 3DMAX delivered a ruthless 13–3 performance, even after losing both pistol rounds. Their defense — led by Filip "Graviti" Brankovic — left NiP unable to mount any meaningful comeback. Graviti went a perfect 8-0 in opening duels, finished 22-9 K-D, and posted a 2.00 rating.

• On Train, NiP briefly built hope by grabbing a 7–5 lead before halftime. However, 3DMAX stormed back after the break: a clutch 1-v-2 from Pierre "Ex3rcice" Bulinge and consistent fire from Bryan "Maka" Canda closed out the map 13–8.

Despite facing a pressure-filled do-or-die match, 3DMAX never dropped a map — showing why many see them as the “gatekeepers” of top-tier CS2 even if they rarely challenge for championships themselves. 

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NiP’s Rollercoaster: From 2–0 Start to Elimination

NiP had kicked off Stage 2 with two wins, sparking hope for a deep run in Budapest. 

However, back-to-back losses — including a heartbreaking overtime defeat to PARIVISION, and now a clean sweep loss to 3DMAX — abruptly ended their Major hopes. 

In the post-match reflection, captain Marco "Snappi" Pfeiffer admitted that 3DMAX were simply the better team today: “They shot super hard... I’m still a bit surprised — they played really good.” 

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What’s Next — Stage 3 Landscape & Opening Matches

With the conclusion of Stage 2, the bracket for Stage 3 of the Budapest Major is set. 

3DMAX join a fresh list of teams waiting to compete alongside squads that received direct invites. Meanwhile, NiP, despite the promising start, will exit the tournament much earlier than fans had hoped.