StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Quarter-Finals Preview & Predictions – Can FalleN kickstart FURIA’s dream run?

The Quarter-Finals of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 are just a few days away, and we’re looking at one of the most stacked Major Playoffs brackets we’ve seen in a long time. Each team has their own narrative, their own stories behind their Major goals, but only one can hoist the trophy when all is said and done.

It’s time to look at the matchups in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Quarter-Finals, and predict who will make it through to the next stage.

Spirit vs. Falcons

Spirit vs. Falcons is comfortably the most competitive matchup of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Quarter-Finals. On the one hand, you have Spirit, a team so dependent on the individual brilliance of donk. And on the other hand, you have Falcons, arguably the only team to neuter donk time after time. But throughout the Major so far, it’s Spirit who have looked the most impressive, qualifying through Stage 3 in a comfy 3:0, while Falcons were made to sweat on the final day to progress in 3:2 fashion.

Throughout this year, Falcons and Spirit have only faced each other three times. Falcons have been victorious every single time, winning 2:0 in their two most recent clashes. As a statline, it reads pretty miserably for Spirit, one so damning it makes the result feel like a foregone conclusion. Even worse for Spirit, donk has managed just a 1.03 rating against Falcons across 2025, their primary win condition falling flat on a consistent basis.

But in reality, the fact that it’s a Major is a complete game-changer. The deeper into these tournaments we go, the worse NiKo gets. That has been the story of his career, while donk on the other side has shown the opposite trajectory in the biggest moments. It’s the same story with kyousuke, too, who has often struggled in Playoffs throughout his Falcons stint.

So while much of the logical evidence points to a Falcons win, I think it’s the intangibles that will decide the outcome of this one. I find it impossible to believe a player of donk’s quality has his own personal Kryptonite that hampers him as much as Falcons. I think the pressure of the Major will mount, and Spirit will take it in three.

My prediction: Spirit 2:1 Falcons

Vitality vs. The MongolZ

Spoiler: Vitality vs. The MongolZ is the only game in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Quarter-Finals that I expect to be over in two maps. Vitality aren’t the unstoppable force they were throughout the first season, but they’re still one of the main contenders to win this Major. Meanwhile, The MongolZ have already overperformed all expectations at this Major, with many not expecting them to reach the Playoffs at all.

It’s almost poetic to get a rematch of the BLAST.tv Austin Major Final, six months down the line, with both teams not quite at the same level in the Budapest Quarter-Finals. Vitality won out that time, and it’s hard to envision a scenario in which that result isn’t repeated once again.

That’s not to say The MongolZ haven’t impressed – it’s been interesting to see how they’ve punched above their weight with controlez. But realistically, there is a ceiling to the heights this lineup can reach at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, and I think taking down a team as solid as Vitality will prove a step too far.

My prediction: Vitality 2:0 The MongolZ

MOUZ vs. FaZe

Once upon a time, MOUZ were the students, and FaZe the masters. It’s a little different nowadays – MOUZ may still be younger on paper, but there’s little doubt about who the better team is here. MOUZ put on a pretty good show in Stage 3, narrowly falling to Spirit before eventually qualifying with a win over Falcons. It was a solid reminder that, although they haven’t played too many matches of late, they’re still right among the best CS2 teams in the world.

Meanwhile, FaZe have been on quite the journey in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Who could forget their near-miss against RED Canids in Stage 1, where they were just a 0.4-second defuse away from elimination? From there, all the way to Playoffs. I’m shocked they made it, personally underestimating them at every turn. But now, the respect they command is undeniable.

The last time these two teams met was at IEM Chengdu 2025, where MOUZ were 2:0 victors. That was an iteration of FaZe where broky and jcobbb were heavily misfiring. The pair have seen a resurgence in Stages 2 and 3 at Budapest, and they’ll need to continue that form if there’s any scenario where FaZe win here.

I think that this FaZe uptick is a good sign for the future, and perhaps even enough to avoid roster changes heading into 2026. But is it enough to beat a consistent MOUZ side, who are sure to reap the benefits of the Budapest crowd with torzsi playing on home soil? I don’t think so.

My prediction: MOUZ 2:1 FaZe

FURIA vs. NAVI

FURIA are undoubtedly the favorites to win the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. After three consecutive trophy wins, anything less would be a Major disappointment for FalleN‘s team. The bracket is pretty kind to them, too, with all of Vitality, Spirit, and Falcons sitting on the other side.

Despite this, you’d be silly to entirely discount NAVI from this opener. They showed at the Thunderpick WC 2025 that they can take maps from this FURIA side, and have looked pretty solid throughout their run at the StarLadder Budapest Major so far.

The Major thing to note here is that the two teams have already played in Budapest. Both teams kicked off their Major campaigns against one another, with FURIA beating NAVI 13:2. For a moment, it was a series that threatened to be an embarrassing 13:0. It’s indicative of the level FURIA have ascended to of late, a team that seems destined to make a very deep run here. molodoy has continued to look lights out on the AWP, and while w0nderful has been very impressive in the same role for NAVI, there’s just no comparison to be made between the two players.

I have to back FURIA to win this one. I could definitely see the weight of expectations allowing NAVI a map win, but the fundamentals for FURIA are just too strong right now.

My prediction: FURIA 2:1 NAVI