It’s second stage at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where young players from B8 break their reputation as underdogs. One step is needed to boost B8 to the CS2 esports elite: qualify for Stage 3. The team has two chances for this.
The first time the general Counter-Strike community noted B8 was at the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
They defeated Astralis to take the last remaining spot at the European qualifier. Then, B8 advanced in Stage 2 with a 3:0 and reached the 2:1 score in that phase, defeating even Falcons. Still, B8 got FURIA and Lynn Vision as decisive opponents and couldn’t win those matches.
It’s a totally different story now, as we are in the whirl of the Budapest Major excitement. However, B8 unleashes relatively the same pattern. In Stage 2, they are with a 2:1 score again — wins over Team Liquid and Fnatic, but a loss to NAVI.
The final rounds of Stage 2 of the StarLadder CS2 Major 2025 in Budapest are two chances for B8 to dive even deeper into the pool of the most dangerous Counter-Strike sharks. One win only, and they are in Stage 3.
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Chance 1: B8 versus 3DMAX in Stage 2 of the CS2 Budapest Major 2025
Banned maps | Map 1 | Map 2 | Map 3 | Match score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage, 3DMAX Nuke, B8 | Train, 3DMAX pick | Ancient, B8 pick | Dust II, decider | B8 0:0 3DMAX |
| B8 0:0 3DMAX | B8 0:0 3DMAX | B8 0:0 3DMAX |
The first opponents in this short journey are players from 3DMAX. They have a more notable presence at big Counter-Strike 2 events and can be named the favorites in this matchup.
3DMAX, strongly in the mid-tier
This team participated in top-level tournaments throughout 2025, but the results of 3DMAX are rather moderate.
- The highest placement was 2nd at the CS Asia Championships 2025, but all the big teams skipped that event.
- 3DMAX were in the top 8 of ESL Pro League Season 22 and the CS2 Esports World Cup 2025, which is more impressive.
- In Austin, 3DMAX made it to Stage 3 but had only one win, over G2 Esports.
The 3DMAX guys are strong competitors, and they joined the Budapest Major with Stage 2. They lost to Fnatic in the opening Bo1 and then defeated FlyQuest and Passion UA.
Whoever advances from Rounds 4 and 5 to Stage 3, the challenge there will be immense. It’s the phase where the strongest teams join the StarLadder CS2 Budapest Major 2025, such as FURIA, Vitality, and MOUZ. This competitive mayhem starts on Dec. 4.
