Following the conclusion of a blockbuster Stage 1, the StarLadder Budapest Major Stage 2 is underway. Eight teams that directly booked their spot in Stage 2 will be facing the eight that made it here through Stage 1. 8 out of the 16 will be making it to Stage 3, and given how Stage 1 went, we can hardly predict who will go through.
Round 1 At A Glance
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Astralis | 10 – 13 | Ninjas in Pyjamas |
| 3DMAX | 6 – 13 | fnatic |
| PARIVISION | 5 – 13 | TYLOO |
| Passion UA | 10 – 13 | FaZe |
| Aurora | 13 – 6 | M80 |
| Natus Vincere | 13 – 2 | FlyQuest |
| Liquid | 7 – 13 | B8 |
| MIBR | 5 – 13 | Imperial |
Favourites Come out on Top
Imperial eased past MIBR in the Brazilian derby to open up the day. Imperial, clearly the favourites considering recent performances, hardly had a tough time, as MIBR managed only five rounds. FlyQuest’s momentum from Stage 1 came to a stomping halt as NAVI bullied them into a 13-2 loss. NAVI made them feel helpless and out of their league, securing a confidence-boosting win to start their Major journey. Aurora bulldozed M80 with a 13-6 scoreline, and a shaky FaZe Clan from Stage 1 put up a better show, beating Passion UA 13-10, only this time the performance looked better than before.
Underdogs drop a shocker
B8, coming into the game as underdogs against Liquid, pulled off a miracle win with a 13-7 dominant scoreline and sent the NA side to the 0-1 pool to start their Major campaign. Tyloo, having qualified by the skin of their teeth, pulled off yet another shocker over CIS side PARIVISION with a 13-5 scoreline. Fnatic, another team that went to the last Stage 1 qualifier, took down French dark horse 3DMAX, which had been taking down titans all year. Astralis dropped the ball against a young Ninjas in Pyjamas side in the final upset of the day. HooXi‘s leadership and dev1ce’s AWPing could not save the Danes from a shocking defeat against the Ninjas.
Day 1 of Stage 2 has delivered in spades, especially for the neutral fans. Given how most matches went as expected, Pick’Ems were unharmed, unlike in Stage 1. The tone for Stage 2 is already set, and the big names are having a smooth time. Days 2 and 3 will be key for the true underdogs to grind out a spot in Stage 3.