CS2 major battle: B8, NAVI, Passion UA compete for next round
Ukrainian esports teams at CS2 major (photo: HLTV.org)
In the second round of Stage 3 at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, the Ukrainian teams continued their fight for a playoff spot. Natus Vincere and B8 finished their matches with a 1‑1 record, while Passion UA found themselves on the brink of elimination.
RBC‑Ukraine reports on Ukrainian esports teams.
B8, NAVI deliver even matches
After the second round of stage three, two Ukrainian teams – NAVI, B8 – hold a 1-1 score, keeping strong playoff chances
Natus Vincere faced the Russian team PARIVISION on Ancient, a map considered one of the strongest for “Born to Win.”
The early game was tense, but Andriy “b1ad3” Horodensky’s squad quickly took control. Confident comeback led NAVI to a convincing 13-6 victory, moving to 1-1 bracket.
For B8 Esports, the second round was less successful. Ukrainian tournament sensation lost to European top club MOUZ on Overpass, 6-13.
Choosing a map rarely played backfired against a prepared opponent. Despite the loss, B8 remains 1-1 in Swiss format.
Passion UA is on the brink of kicking out
The most difficult situation is for club Passion UA, owned by football star Oleksandr Zinchenko.
After two consecutive losses to G2 and Falcons with wide score gaps, the team stands 0-2; the next match is do-or-die.
In the second round, Passion UA lost to Falcons 5-13 on Nuke.
Today, December 5, Passion UA will play a key match against Liquid.
The match will be Bo3 (best-of-three), requiring endurance and strategic depth, with the winner securing a tournament spot.
Stage three next matches schedule
Bo1 matches:
4 p.m. (Kyiv time) – FaZe vs The MongolZ
4 p.m. – B8 vs Vitality
5 p.m. – paiN vs Natus Vincere
5 p.m. – Imperial vs Falcons
Bo3 matches:
6 p.m. – MOUZ vs Spirit
6 p.m. – Passion UA vs Liquid
8:30 p.m. – FURIA vs G2
8:30 p.m. – PVISION vs 3DMAX
The next matches will decide which Ukrainian teams keep playoff hopes alive and which will exit the tournament.
