StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Day 1: Upsets & tech issues galore as GamerLegion in serious trouble

Unfortunately, it’s hard to argue that day one of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 was one to forget. Not because of the quality of Counter-Strike on display. No, that was as exciting as ever. But rather, a myriad of tech issues that left the Major suffering from a nearly two-hour pause right in the middle of the best-of-ones. That’s before we mention the perpetual sound problems, which must’ve left a stale taste in the mouths of those tuning in to their first Counter-Strike Major.

But as for the matches themselves, it was a day filled with upsets and surprises. Admit it – your StarLadder Budapest Major Pick’Ems are already pretty cooked, aren’t they? Notable storylines include the deeply troubling showing from GamerLegion, as well as a more positive face for the likes of FlyQuest and M80.

GamerLegion on the verge of elimination from StarLadder Budapest Major

Coming into Stage 1 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, it felt as though GamerLegion were a team that should’ve been qualifying with ease. For some, that was in the form of the 3:0 pick, although their recent inconsistency always made that a very risky bet. But finishing day one in the 0:2 bracket was a situation no one expected to find GamerLegion in.

Worse still, it’s not as though they were simply handed a tough draw, either. In my preview of the opening games of the StarLadder Budapest Major, I described GamerLegion’s debut against Fluxo as a “banana skin” matchup. And so it was, in that tricky best-of-one format. But that can happen against a team with players like Lucaozy and decenty. Take down RED Canids, and all would be forgotten.

But even that proved to be a step too far from the team, as they fell to a 13:6 loss against most people’s primary 0:3 pick in Budapest. This loss really feels unacceptable, given the gulf in player quality. Worse still, the likes of PR and Tauson even had solid games, yet it wasn’t enough to muster more than a six-round haul against vastly inferior opposition.

GamerLegion’s inexperience has often been their worst enemy, and the root cause of their inconsistency. But if they were to bomb out of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 in the 0:3 bracket, that would really represent a new low.

M80 and FlyQuest set up for success after a solid day one

If you had M80 or FlyQuest as your 3:0 teams, I have to assume you were trolling your StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Pick’Ems. Yet, after the first day of play, both are in with a solid chance of keeping it clean in the top bracket, having gone flawless on the server so far.

For M80, it was a longer day than it ever needed to be. After roaring to a 10:1 lead in their opener vs. B8, they were made to play all 24 rounds as they secured a 13:11 victory. Then, against PARIVISION, they secured a 12:5 lead, but were unable to close it out before Jame‘s team pulled it back to 12:9. Although it was nervy stuff for M80, it’s still a good sign that they were able to cross the finish line against strong European opposition.

FlyQuest started off their day in a “F*** your Pick’Ems” type of mood, by taking down Legacy. Most had pegged Legacy as a dead-cert for the 3:0 spot following their excellent form in recent weeks, but this just shows the wackiness of best-of-ones. Tried and tested chaos. But FlyQuest went on to show it wasn’t just a fluke win by battering Imperial in the follow-up, ensuring they’re in the perfect spot to reach Stage 2 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

FaZe continue mixed bag form in 1:1 bracket

On a day filled with surprise results, I never felt we’d get the most shocking right at the last. FaZe, after winning their first match vs. Lynn Vision earlier in the day, looked like they had a freebie lined up against NRG, who were playing with coach daps as a stand-in. It should’ve been an easy ride to the 2:0 bracket, but it proved to be anything but.

A particularly rough match from broky meant FaZe were on the back foot in this Dust2 clash, while NRG played with the confidence of a team freed of all expectations. They were hitting their shots and ruining our Pick’Ems, and I have to respect them for it.

And look, FaZe will probably still make it to Stage 2 without much trouble. But given the state of the 2:0 bracket as it stands, you can’t help but feel they’ve missed a very good opportunity to secure their place early. Any further setbacks, and it could get a bit scary for FaZe.

All of the fixtures for tomorrow’s matches in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 are as follows, sorted by bracket:

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1 Bracket Matches (Day 2)

2:0

• FlyQuest vs. Fluxo
• M80 vs. NRG

1:1

• Fnatic vs. Imperial
• Legacy vs. RED Canids
• FaZe Clan vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas
• B8 vs. PARIVISION

0:2

• GamerLegion vs. Rare Atom
• Lynn Vision vs. The Huns