MAJ3R Reflects on Aurora’s Collapse Against NAVI: “I Still Can’t Believe the Way We Threw That Game”
MAJ3R Reflects on Aurora’s Collapse Against NAVI: “I Still Can’t Believe the Way We Threw That Game”
“Having to watch ourselves throw it hurts”
At the recent Thunderpick World Championship 2025 in Malta, Turkish side Aurora booked a playoff spot — but the road wasn’t smooth. Their in-game leader MAJ3R spoke candidly after a gut-wrenching collapse on Dust2 versus Natus Vincere (NaVi), saying: “I rewatched the match several times and I still can’t believe the way we threw that game.”
Despite advancing, Aurora’s T-side on Dust2 slipped from an 11–4 lead to lose key rounds and nearly miss out. MAJ3R described it as a “nightmare” of lost clutches and mental lapses, acknowledging deeper issues around experience, roles, and resilience.
Collapse on Dust2: what happened
Aurora entered the decider against NaVi riding momentum and looked strong. On their T-side of Dust2, they built an 11–4 lead. Yet this advantage cracked: a 4v2 at 11-4, a 3v2 on B site, and a 1v4 retake where NaVi’s b1t secured four kills — all rounds Aurora felt they had in control. MAJ3R acknowledged: “The situations we lost still give me nightmares.”
In his words: “I rewatched the match several times and I still can’t believe the way we threw that game. We need to find the reason behind it — whether it’s mental, experience, or individual quality.”
The breakdown of the Dust2 T-half, combined with a struggling T-side elsewhere, has exposed a pattern of trouble for Aurora. MAJ3R referenced their recent T-sides on Nuke and Mirage, noting role issues, lost key rounds, and the inability to close out favourable situations.
Role clarity & tactical concerns
In the interview, MAJ3R was upfront about internal challenges at Aurora. He said: “I think we have a role issue in the team and we are trying to find solutions with my coach.”
More specifically:
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Clutches and key rounds have been slipping away, turning advantage into defeat.
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Their default T-spread is faltering: MAJ3R described how on Overpass earlier they “lost one or two teammates during our default, which made it difficult.”
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He also stressed the importance of acknowledging the problem: “There is a problem and the most important thing is to accept it and work on it."
These statements, coming after a near collapse, suggest Aurora is in a reflective stage — not just celebrating qualification, but digging into the weaknesses that nearly cost them.
The broader tournament context
Though the Dust2 loss was a major scare, Aurora managed to secure their playoff spot via another hard-fought series (2–1 win over Venom) in the same event.
The TWC 2025 is on their radar, with the playoffs looming and bigger goals ahead. MAJ3R emphasised: “Our plan is to be ready for the main objective — the Major. We want to play as much Counter-Strike as possible and especially see our mistakes and fix them before the Major.”
So while the NaVi match was painful, Aurora are using it as a wake-up call rather than an endpoint. The qualification matters, but how they perform down the stretch now is what counts.
What this means for Aurora’s future
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Mental resilience – The Dust2 collapse is more than tactical; MAJ3R described it in almost psychological terms. Fixing that will be vital for Aurora’s growth.
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Role & structure refinement – With admitted role issues, the team will need clearer responsibilities and better individual preparation.
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T-side consistency – The recurring theme of losing favourable conditions must be curbed. If Aurora hope to contend at the Major, they must commit to disciplined offensive halves.
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Confidence vs. clarity – Qualifying is good, but the way they nearly lost the NaVi match suggests overconfidence or structural holes. MAJ3R’s reflective stance is a positive sign.
🎯 Final takeaway
Aurora secured their playoff berth at TWC 2025 — but the euphoria is tempered. MAJ3R’s brutal honesty: “I still can't believe the way we threw that game,” underscores the fragility of their performance. Instead of basking, the team is digging. Because in a field where margins are razor-thin, internal wounds need healing fast.
The message from MAJ3R is clear: “We’ll celebrate the win, but first we’ll fix the holes.”
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