Budapest Major Stage 1: Round 3 Matchups Locked In After Chaotic Opening Day

25.11.2025 - 06:37

Budapest Major Stage 1: Round 3 Matchups Locked In After Chaotic Opening Day

Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 has already delivered classic Swiss-system unpredictability. After a turbulent opening day that stretched nearly 12 hours and was repeatedly halted by production and technical issues, the Round 3 matchups are confirmed — and the bracket looks nothing like what most analysts expected.

The Headline: NA Derby in the 2–0 Qualification Pool

The 2–0 bracket is filled with surprise early winners, including an all-North-American qualification clash: M80 vs. NRG. The second Stage 2 decider will feature FlyQuest vs. Fluxo. Both are best-of-three series, with two teams set to secure advancement today.

NRG’s unbeaten start is especially remarkable after their upset win over FaZe on Day 1 — achieved despite playing with coach daps as a stand-in. The loss pushed FaZe down into the crowded 1–1 pool.

FlyQuest Aim to Break the 2–0 Curse

This is familiar territory for FlyQuest — and not in a good way. The roster has twice begun Majors with a flawless 2–0 record this year (Shanghai and Austin) only to collapse before reaching Stage 2.
Reflecting on the pattern, Declan “Vexite” Portelli admitted the team is aware of the pressure:

“I know we’re 2-0 at a Major… Trust me, I’m thinking about it.”

He emphasized that FlyQuest’s approach is to stay calm and avoid overthinking their previous failures.

1–1 Pool: Giants Fighting to Stay Afloat

The 1–1 bracket features several heavyweights suddenly at risk, with all Round 3 matches played as best-of-ones — the last BO1s of Stage 1. Losers will drop into elimination territory.

1–1 Matchups:

Legacy vs. RED Canids

B8 vs. PARIVISION

FaZe vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas

fnatic vs. Imperial

FaZe’s placement in this group reflects Day 1’s chaos. Their schedule was pushed late into the night due to delays, and they looked visibly off-form during the loss to NRG.

0–2 Elimination Bracket: GamerLegion on the Edge

At the bottom of the standings, four teams are already one defeat away from going home: GamerLegion, Rare Atom, The Huns, and Lynn Vision.

0–2 Elimination BO3s:

GamerLegion vs. Rare Atom

The Huns vs. Lynn Vision

GamerLegion’s 0–2 start — following losses to Fluxo and RED Canids — remains one of the most unexpected developments of the tournament so far.

Why Day 1 Went Off the Rails

Upsets Everywhere

Day 1 saw several favorites — including NiP, B8, Legacy, and GamerLegion — lose their opening matches, scrambling the Swiss seedings and creating unusual Round 3 pairings.

Production and Technical Problems

Frequent stream issues and venue-level delays led to long pauses and late-night finishes. StarLadder acknowledged the problems, stating they had “fallen short” on Day 1 and were actively implementing broadcast, audio, and stability fixes.

Teams Struggling Through Disrupted Routines

Preparation was also affected. M80 rifler Swisher highlighted the lack of high-quality scrims in North America:

“In NA, the scrims were non-existent.”

He added that the team relied heavily on their recent LAN appearances and a German bootcamp to prepare for the Major.

Extra Storylines to Watch in Round 3

Legacy’s Psychological Reset

After an unexpected opening loss, captain lux said the team is learning to embrace the pressure:

“We have the pressure, but we have the confidence.”
He added that Legacy consider themselves “in the group that can win the Major.”

Early Individual Highlights

Day 1 already delivered standout plays, including a vintage Major performance from KRIMZ, an explosive ace by xiELO against The Huns, and several impressive clutches from underdog squads — suggesting the momentum swings are just beginning.