NAVI smash through B8 to earn playoffs ticket at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

The final day of Stage 3 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 kicked off a with a bang as B8 looked to upset their Ukrainian seniors in NAVI. But with every single NAVI star firing on all cylinders, B8 faced a tough challenge. The youngsters made Train threatening, but in the end NAVI stepped past B8 into the playoffs of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

Team rosters – B8 vs NAVI

The Ukrainian duo of w0nderful and b1t had been chart topping for the NAVI side, with the former even rocking Vitality in the team’s previous match. Their counterparts, npl and headtr1ck, looked deadly across the season but lacked the same punch in the elimination game. On the whole though, the individuals on the NAVI side were simply more dynamic, and it would have taken a miracle for B8 to win with a knockout punch.

Map Veto

The two teams battled as recently as Stage 2 itself, with NAVI picking Train, while B8 went with Mirage. Unfortunately for the alex666-led side, they came out worse on both maps, with just 8 rounds on their own round win. That led to the Ancient change for the Ukrainian side this time around, but ended in similarly disastrous results.

1. B8 removed Nuke
2. Natus Vincere removed Overpass
3. B8 picked Ancient
4. Natus Vincere picked Train
5. Natus Vincere removed Inferno
6. B8 removed Dust2
7. Mirage was left over

Match Recap

Ancient – makazze makes the most of Ancient (13-4)

Makazze started hot, grabbing four kills in the pistol to launch NAVI’s defense. Taking over jL’s mid role set him up perfectly, as he hit double digits early. When B8 stole one back, w0nderful swiftly reasserted control.

A crucial clutch from essenthial on A finally halted NAVI’s steamroll, but a failed cave pop let the international squad hold firm. B8 kept prodding the same area, and this time headtr1ck’s AWP lurk earned them another round. A scrappy round-12 buy left NAVI powerless to stop the B8 hit, bringing the halftime score to 8-4.

Aleksib’s dualies in the second pistol extended NAVI’s dominance, and once rifles came out, Makazze went into full control mode. B8 couldn’t string a single round together on their CT side, and NAVI cruised to a commanding 13-4 win.

Train – B8 plays things close but NAVI prevail – 16-14

After w0nderful’s heroics on Train versus Vitality, NAVI looked menacing once again. The Ukrainian sniper opened the game with first blood, and iM’s triple secured the pistol. Unlike Ancient, B8 struck back with upgraded pistols to stop NAVI from building too much momentum.

Both iM and b1t delivered heavy-hitting rounds—an ace and a quad-kill—but B8 clung on through economical upsets. headtr1ck’s AWP netted a key round before w0nderful’s answered in kind. Eventually, essenthial’s firm hold in halls gave B8 enough stability to level the half at 6-6.

NAVI added another pistol to their tally and built on it quickly; iM and w0nderful mowed down B8 from Ivy in round 14. Yet B8’s own rifle core fired back, sweeping through the B site twice to even the score once more. With NAVI reduced to pistols, a desperate round saw b1t recover an AK and w0nderful’s P250 land two kills to derail B8’s Train completely as NAVI jumped ahead to double digits.

A triple from headtr1ck kept B8 alive briefly, but NAVI reached match point soon after. kensizor’s flashy B site double delayed the inevitable, and B8 forced round 24 with everything on the line. Despite w0nderful’s two picks handing NAVI a 5v3, B8 captain alex666 clutched a 1v1 against Aleksib to push the map into overtime.

B8 showed signs of hope, but w0nderful and iM dominated consecutive CT rounds to regain NAVI’s lead. Once sides switched, iM sprinted through A main smoke to secure match point again. B8 fought to the very end, but this time Aleksib stepped up with two key kills to seal the series and send NAVI through to the Major playoffs.

NAVI now head into the playoffs of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 with every single star shining. While the opponents ahead will be tough, NAVI proved that they can battle the best in the game against Vitality. The playoffs will now be defining for NAVI’s season as they look ahead to 2026.