“It’s more the pressure of qualifying for the Major” — Staehr on why being at the tournament feels just like any other LAN

“It’s more the pressure of qualifying for the Major” — Staehr on why being at the tournament feels just like any other LAN

Astralis returned to a Major after a long hiatus — something fans and players alike have waited for since their last appearance in 2022. But for Staehr, the nerves and the tension come not from the glitz of the Major itself — rather from the heavy pressure they felt to simply qualify. 

“When you are here, it’s the same as if I was playing a Cologne or whatever,” he told HLTV, underlining that for him and his teammates the underlying stress was rooted in making it to the event itself. 

Their comeback match — a Best-of-One against Ninjas in Pyjamas — ended in a 10-13 loss on Nuke. Despite opening pistols and a solid 5-0 lead, Astralis gradually lost momentum after some failed executes and missed entry kills on CT. A mix of unforced mistakes and NiP’s resilience sealed the map. 

Staehr didn’t shy away from the loss — but made it clear that the defeat on Nuke doesn’t mean they’re abandoning the map for future matches: “It’s not because we lost ... we’ll never play Nuke again, that’s not how it works.” 

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Why the pressure to qualify matters more than the Major itself

1. Major return after years of absence

Astralis haven’t been at a Major since 2022. For many players — especially those who've joined recently — this is their first real shot at a Major. That long drought has reportedly created extra anxiety and motivation, making qualification feel like the true goal. 

In earlier comments, Staehr had admitted how big it was for him personally — and for the whole organization — just to get back to the Major stage. 

2. The new CS2 Major format amplifies stakes

The current StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 adopts a three-stage Swiss-system before playoffs. This means many matches — especially early on — are Best-of-One. Mistakes are amplified, and a single poor map can make or break a team’s run. 

For Astralis, losing in the initial Bo1 immediately tags them into a “must-win or risk chaos” mindset — something that intensifies nerves and mental pressure.

3. A changing role and rising expectations for Staehr

Just a few months ago (August 2025), Staehr spoke about taking on more central responsibilities in Astralis — shifting from a passive anchor role into more star-like duties, with higher expectations of performance. 

For him, the Major isn’t just a return — it’s a chance to prove himself under pressure at the highest level. Failure isn’t an option, and that mindset comes with weight.

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Internal turbulence: stability, uncertainty — and the future

In his post-match remarks, Staehr admitted that the team doesn’t know what the future holds, especially after a shaky first match. He highlighted ongoing instability in the roster and hinted at broader organizational uncertainty. 

He emphasized that for now, the team’s focus is solely on the Major: grinding rounds, playing every map, staying cohesive — letting go of outside distractions for the moment. 

With third-party reporters pointing out that even experienced teams often underestimate Major pressure (especially under the new Bo1-heavy format), Astralis’ journey in Budapest may well be a test not only of skill, but of composure. 

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Broader context: Many pros agree — qualifying is harder than playing the Major

Staehr’s thoughts echo a sentiment shared across the CS2 pro scene. For example, Ådne "sense" Fredriksen from Apeks once said that “it was harder to qualify for the Major than to play in its early rounds.” 

The format change — elimination of traditional regional qualifiers in favor of direct invitations based on regional standings (VRS) — has made qualifying extremely competitive. The margin between success and failure is razor-thin, and for many teams, just getting to the Major now feels like a victory in itself. 

That makes Astralis’ return feel even more fragile — and the pressure even higher.

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What’s next for Astralis — and for Staehr

• Bounce back mentally and tactically. Astralis must reset quickly: Nuke may not be thrown out — but map veto strategy, picks and preparation need refinement.

• Leverage experience under fire. With seasoned pros and a newly confident core, Astralis have the tools. Staying calm, coordinated, and disciplined might yield better results than raw firepower alone.

• Treat every match as a final. In the Swiss-system, every Bo1 works like a mini-final. Astralis can’t afford slipups. They need to focus on fundamentals, communication, and consistency — the very things Staehr emphasized going in.

• Evaluate roster stability post-Major. Given uncertainty around the line-up, Astralis may need to test longer-term cohesion after Budapest. Performance here could shape decisions for 2026 and beyond.

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Why this quote from Staehr matters

Staehr’s remark — that the pressure lies more in qualifying than in playing the Major — pulls aside the veil from the glamorous exterior of big tournaments. It highlights what many fans may overlook: that for players, sometimes just getting there is harder than competing on the main stage.

For Astralis, this Major is more than just an event — it’s a statement. And for Staehr, it’s a test of nerve, identity, and the courage to rise when everything is on the line.

Regardless of how far they go in Budapest, what matters is whether they can handle the pressure. And in 2025, that might be the greatest challenge of all.