Introduction
On December 2, 2025, a high-stakes best-of-3 (BO3) elimination match took place at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 between two powerhouse teams: Team Liquid and Astralis. This critical encounter, a part of Stage 2 of the tournament, saw both teams vying for a spot in Stage 3. With a 2-2 record each, the stakes were incredibly high. Team Liquid, known for their resilience and strategic depth, faced off against Astralis, a legendary team with a rich history of dominance in the world of Counter-Strike. The map pool for the match included Dust2, Mirage, Inferno, Nuke, Train, Overpass, and Ancient, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
Team Rosters
Both teams brought their A-game, fielding rosters packed with seasoned professionals and rising stars. Team Liquid’s lineup consisted of Keith “NAF” Markovic, Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak, Guy “NertZ” Iluz, Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek (Captain), Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, and Viktor Tamás “flashie” Bea (Coach). On the other side, Astralis was represented by Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, Victor “Staehr” Staehr, Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard, Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen (Captain), Emil “Magisk” Reif, and Casper “ruggah” Due (Coach).
Team Liquid’s journey to this match was marked by a series of ups and downs. They began Stage 2 with losses to B8 and PARIVISION but managed to bounce back with impressive victories over MIBR and Tyloo. This resilience was a testament to their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. Similarly, Astralis started with losses to M80 and Ninjas in Pyjamas but secured wins over FlyQuest and Aurora to reach the 2-2 record. Both teams came into the match with recent form that suggested they were capable of pulling off a win, making the matchup all the more intriguing.
Map Veto and Selection
Before the action began, the teams engaged in a map veto process to narrow down the selection. Astralis removed Dust 2, a map known for its fast pace and aggressive playstyles. Team Liquid countered by removing Overpass, a map that often favors defensive strategies. Astralis then picked Nuke, a map that requires precise execution and tactical awareness, opting to play on the Counter-Terrorist (CT) side. Team Liquid chose Mirage, a balanced map that offers opportunities for both aggressive and defensive play, also starting on the CT side. The remaining maps, Ancient and Train, were removed by Team Liquid and Astralis, respectively, leaving Inferno as the decider map, with Team Liquid starting on the CT side.
Match Recap: Nuke
The first map, Nuke, set the tone for the match. Astralis, playing on theirpicked map, started on the CT side, but it was Team Liquid who dominated the early rounds. Siuhy’s side won the pistol round and went on to secure six consecutive rounds, building an insurmountable 6-0 lead. Ultimate and NertZ were key contributors, with their aggressive plays from Garage and Secret respectively, helping to maintain the momentum. By the end of the first half, Team Liquid had a commanding 11-1 lead.
The second half began with Astralis winning the pistol round, reducing the deficit to 11-2. However, Team Liquid’s resilience was evident as they secured the next round on eco, taking the score to 12-2. Astralis showed signs of a comeback, winning five consecutive rounds and bringing the score to 12-7. Despite this, Team Liquid managed to close out the map with a crucial 13-7 victory, thanks to a strong final round where Staehr was left in a 1v3 situation but failed to clutch it off. Ultimate’s exceptional performance, with a rating of 1.54, was a key factor in Team Liquid’s dominance on Nuke.
Match Recap: Mirage
The second map, Mirage, continued the momentum for Team Liquid. Although Astralis won both pistol rounds, Liquid’s strategic play and execution were superior. Astralis started strong, winning four consecutive rounds, but Team Liquid quickly responded with their own streak of four wins. The first half concluded with a 7-5 lead for Team Liquid, thanks to a clutch round win by HooXi.
In the second half, the match became a tight contest. Astralis tied the score at 7-7 and managed to take an 8-7 lead. However, Team Liquid’s economic management and tactical prowess allowed them to regain control, winning two consecutive rounds to secure the series point at 12-9. The final round saw Astralis attempting a full buy to control Catwalk and mid, but Team Liquid’s defense was impenetrable, resulting in a 13-9 victory. NertZ’s consistent performance, with a rating of 1.16, played a crucial role in sealing the deal for Team Liquid.
Conclusion
In the end, Team Liquid’s resilience, strategic depth, and exceptional individual performances carried them to a decisive 2-0 victory over Astralis. This win not only secured their place in Stage 3 of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 but also showcased their ability to handle high-pressure situations and outplay one of the world’s top teams. For Astralis, the elimination was a tough pill to swallow, but their recent form and the close nature of the match suggest they remain a formidable force in the world of Counter-Strike. As the tournament progresses, the focus will be on Team Liquid’s continued journey and whether they can maintain this level of performance against the stiff competition that lies ahead.
