Fnatic have claimed the final spot at the StarLadder Budapest CS2 Major 2025 this Monday, October 6, as they took down 9INE 3-2 in the grand finals of Fragadelphia Blocktober in Philly.
Fragadelphia Blocktober ended up being almost like the defunct Regional Major Qualifier (RMR). After all, four European teams — Fnatic, 9INE, OG, and ECSTATIC — reached the semis, and this meant the winner of the tournament would qualify for the StarLadder Budapest Major. The grand finals were so intense that they reminded us once again that Counter-Strike is unmatched in a LAN environment.
Although 9INE were ahead in the best-of-five finals two times, Fnatic prevailed in the end. They showed immense resilience, even though they had Mykyta “jackasmo” Skyba standing in for Freddy”KRIMZ” Johansson. This important victory sends Fnatic back to the Major after they missed BLAST.tv Austin earlier this year and rewards management for sticking with Rodion “fear” Smyk as the team’s IGL despite heavy criticism.
Though Fnatic haven’t been great in CS2, nobody can deny they’re one of the most victorious organizations in Counter-Strike esports ever. Besides their rich history in CS: 1.6, they went on to win three CS:GO Majors during the past decade and numerous other notable tournaments.
The victory also means a lot for the players, especially Benjamin “blameF” Bremer. Many fans often call the Danish star an absolute baiter on social media, but he carried Fnatic through Fragadelphia Blocktober to qualify for the Major and rightfully earned the tournament’s MVP award.
And, the Major may as well be KRIMZ’s last hurrah with Fnatic. There have been plenty of rumors swirling around KRIMZ’s removal from Fnatic, as he nears the end of his career and is no longer as impactful on the server as he was.
With Fnatic grabbing the last spot, the list of teams from Europe attending the StarLadder Budapest Major is as follows:
| Ranking | Teams | Players | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitality | ZywOo, ropz, apEX, flameZ, and mezii | Stage 3 |
| 2 | Spirit | donk, sh1ro, chopper, tN1R, and zweih | Stage 3 |
| 3 | Falcons | NiKo, m0NESY, kyousuke, TeSeS, and kyxsan | Stage 3 |
| 4 | MOUZ | Brollan, torzsi, Spinx, Jimpphat, and xertioN | Stage 3 |
| 5 | G2 | huNter-, malbsMd, SunPayus, HeavyGod, and MATYS | Stage 3 |
| 6 | Aurora | MAJ3R, XANTARES, woxic, Wicadia, and jottAAA | Stage 2 |
| 7 | Natus Vincere | Aleksib, iM, b1t, w0nderful, and makazze | Stage 2 |
| 8 | Astralis | device, Magisk, HooXi, jabbi, and Staehr | Stage 2 |
| 9 | 3DMAX | bodyy, Maka, Lucky, Ex3rcice, and Graviti | Stage 2 |
| 10 | Team Liquid | NAF, EliGE, siuhy, NertZ, and ultimate | Stage 2 |
| 11 | FaZe Clan | karrigan, Twistzz, frozen, broky, and jcobbb | Stage 1 |
| 12 | GamerLegion | REZ, PR, ztr, Tauson, and hypex | Stage 1 |
| 13 | Ninjas in Pyjamas | Snappi, sjuush, r1nkle, ewjerkz, and xKacpersky | Stage 1 |
| 14 | B8 | headtr1ck, alex666, npl, kensizor, and esenthial | Stage 1 |
| 15 | PARIVISION | Jame, BELCHONOKK, AW, xiELO, and nota | Stage 1 |
| 16 | Fnatic | blameF, KRIMZ, fear, jambo, and CYPHER | Stage 1 |
Additionally, you can check the Americas and Asia lists here.
Feature image credit: Igor Bezborodov | © ESL
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