NAVI’s w0nderful on Revenge vs FURIA at StarLadder Budapest Major: “Four Days of Preparation Made the Difference”

NAVI’s w0nderful on Revenge vs FURIA at StarLadder Budapest Major: “Four Days of Preparation Made the Difference”

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Natus Vincere’s quarterfinal victory over FURIA at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 marked one of the standout moments of the event — especially considering how the initial encounter between the teams had gone earlier in the tournament. 

Tournament Context

The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is one of the most prestigious Counter-Strike 2 tournaments of the year, featuring 32 teams, a $1,250,000 prize pool, and a multi-stage format culminating in an eight-team playoff bracket. The playoff matches — including NAVI’s quarterfinal — are best-of-three series and take place at the MVM Dome in Budapest, Hungary. 

NAVI’s path to the playoffs included advancing through the third Swiss stage with a final match victory over B8 to clinch their spot. FURIA, meanwhile, had earlier defeated NAVI decisively in a best-of-one in the third stage, winning 13:2 on Nuke — a result that made many consider them favorites heading into the playoffs. 

Quarterfinal Upset vs FURIA

In the quarterfinals, NAVI reversed course in a best-of-three series, securing a series victory and eliminating FURIA. This result was especially significant because FURIA had come into the playoffs with strong performances and was widely seen as one of the title contenders. 

After the match, NAVI’s rifler Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov shared detailed reflections with HLTV. He noted that the team spent four days preparing specifically for FURIA — understanding their tendencies and strategies — and that this preparation was a key reason why NAVI felt confident going into the series. 

“We were preparing for this game for like four days, so of course I was expecting this.” – w0nderful on NAVI’s quarterfinal performance. 

Personal Form and Mentality

w0nderful also spoke at length about his individual performance at the Major. Prior to Budapest, he had experienced inconsistent form and described his Major bootcamp as “one of the worst ever.” However, he said that his confidence and mentality improved dramatically during the event, attributing this shift to mental preparation rather than mechanical adjustment.

“This year was kind of tough for me, but now I’m feeling amazing … My mentality.” 

When asked what changed, he declined to detail specific methods, calling it a “secret.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that confidence and belief were crucial — both for himself and for the team — especially in a Major quarterfinal where “everything can change.” 

w0nderful also referenced NAVI’s experience from previous Majors, suggesting that having confidence born from past success helps when competing under high pressure. 

Looking Ahead: Semi-Final vs FaZe

With the FURIA series behind them, NAVI advanced to the semifinals, where they are set to face FaZe Clan — a squad that also overcame strong opponents to reach this stage and is viewed as one of the top contenders in the tournament. 

This upcoming matchup is widely anticipated because both teams have shown tactical depth, strong mental resilience, and adaptability in high-pressure situations. Analysts note that FaZe also faced adversity earlier in the Major, narrowly escaping elimination before building momentum into the playoffs. 

Match Importance and Tournament Stakes

The StarLadder Budapest Major playoff bracket represents Counter-Strike 2’s highest level of competition, where best-of-three matches increasingly favor teams that can adapt mid-series, adjust strategies, and maintain stable mental performance under pressure. NAVI’s quarterfinal win over FURIA — a team with a reputation for aggressive, coordinated play — underscores the importance of preparation and confidence at this level.