NAVI Secure Clean 2-0 Sweep Over B8 to Reach Stage 3 of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

NAVI Secure Clean 2-0 Sweep Over B8 to Reach Stage 3 of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

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NAVI’s smooth path to Stage 3

Natus Vincere (NAVI) have locked in their spot in Stage 3 of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 after dispatching B8 in their final Stage 2 match by a 2-0 series. The Ukrainian lineup — led by Aleksi 'Aleksib' Virolainen — went undefeated across Stage 2, defeating FlyQuest, Imperial and B8 without dropping a map. 

Match breakdown: B8 vs NAVI

• Map 1 — Train: NAVI jumped out to an early 5-0 lead. On defense, they dominated the second half, giving up only one round out of seven — claiming the map 13-6. Standout performance came from Ihor 'w0nderful' Zhdanov, posting a 2.08 rating.

• Map 2 — Mirage: NAVI again started strong, racing to a 4-0 lead. B8 tried to fight back, but after a triple kill by Drin 'makazze' Shaqiri gave NAVI a halftime advantage (7-5), NAVI closed out the match on the Terrorist side. Key performance by Mihai 'iM' Ivan, whose aggressive T-side play delivered a 2.16 rating and a +12.05% round swing, helped seal the 13-8 final.

With that victory, NAVI completed Stage 2 with an unblemished 3-0 record, having defeated FlyQuest (13-2 on Train), Imperial (13-10 on Mirage) and now B8. 

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What this means for B8 — and the Major’s Swiss Stage

For B8, the loss doesn’t immediately spell elimination: the Swiss-system format still provides them at least two more chances to reach Stage 3. However, their struggle with pistol rounds — only 1 won vs 7 lost so far in Stage 2 — remains a glaring issue they’ll need to address going forward. 

For NAVI, the clean run through Stage 2 can serve as a momentum boost heading into Stage 3 — though the competition will only get tougher from here as they face teams that didn’t come through Stage 1. 

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Context: StarLadder Budapest Major format & Stakes

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 features a total of 32 teams competing for a prize pool of $1.25 million. 

• Stage 2 uses a Swiss-system bracket among 16 teams; Advancement & Elimination matches are best-of-three. The top 8 teams from Stage 2 advance to Stage 3.

• Stage 3, also Swiss format, runs from December 4–7, and will determine which eight teams move on to the playoffs (which begin December 11).

By advancing with a dominant performance, NAVI now positions themselves as one of the stronger contenders heading into Stage 3.