Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major is underway, with day 1 delivering in spades. We saw incredible individual performances, surprising underdog wins, and dominant displays from some of the favorites.
There’s certainly more action to come on day 2 as we get into the best-of-three qualification and elimination matches. Let’s see who will book themselves a playoff spot in the MVM Dome.
xertioN has been MOUZ’s best player at the Major thus far. Credit: © MOUZ
One of MOUZ or Spirit will be the first team to guarantee themselves a quarter-final spot at the StarLadder Budapest Major.
To get off to a 2-0 start, MOUZ had to beat two young, talented squads in PARIVISION and B8. It wasn’t an easy job, especially in the opener against PARIVISION. The game went to overtime, with MOUZ saving two match points before finally getting the win.
Spirit, on the other hand, or rather Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, took no time getting used to the Major environment, acing Liquid in the very first round of their campaign in Budapest. The Russian rifler looked scary on day 1 – stopping him will be the key if MOUZ were to have success in this matchup.
Despite MOUZ having lost every game they played thus far against the new-look Spirit, this could be the time they take them out. As we all know, they thrive in group stages, and this time could be no different.
Score prediction:
Odds:
Odds courtesy of Stake. Odds are subject to change.
KSCERATO approves FURIA’s Day 1 performance. Credit: © StarLadder
Most teams are visibly uncomfortable in their first Major outing, having to shake off the nerves and get used to the environment before getting comfortable on the server. Things could not be more different for FURIA. The world’s best were absolutely locked in from the start in their game against NAVI, decimating the seemingly tough opposition 13-2.
G2 looked to be having a great start as well, leading 11-1 after the first half of their game against Passion UA. However, in typical G2 fashion, it took them a few more rounds than they’d like to close out the game. Overall, the European squad looks solid, with all their pieces chipping in with good output.
Ever since this FURIA squad came together, the Brazilian-majority team and G2 have been trading 2-0 wins, taking turns grabbing the victory. Despite that fact, it seems like FURIA will break the pattern in this match, outclassing G2 and booking themselves a StarLadder Budapest Major quarter-final spot.
Score prediction:
Odds:
Odds courtesy of Stake. CS2 odds are subject to change.
Can’t count out reigning Major finalists. Credit: © StarLadder
One of the more interesting games in the 1-1 bracket is the bout between FaZe and The MongolZ. The level of opposition both teams had to face to get to this point makes a heavy contrast.
FaZe have faced two heavy hitters thus far, besting Vitality and falling short against Spirit. While The MongolZ lost in their debut game to Imperial, the lowest-rated team left in the competition, before beating a poor-performing Liquid in the 0-1 game.
Although FaZe have looked more convincing in Stage 3, they tend to play up to their opponents’ level and do decent against the cream of the crop. In a game against The MongolZ, even without Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold, the Europeans might struggle more than they did against Vitality.
That being said, if the stars keep performing for FaZe, they should be able to outfrag their opponents and have their next BO3 game be for qualification, not for elimination.
Score prediction:
Odds:
Odds courtesy of Stake. Odds are subject to change.
Feature image credit: © StarLadder
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