Aurora’s 2026 roster reset: jottAAA benched as soulfly joins

Aurora have opened 2026 with a roster tweak, benching Samet “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jottaaa/" target="_self">jottAAA</a>” Köklü and signing Caner “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>” Kesici from Fire Flux. Dig into the announcement, the key 2025 results that shaped it, and what&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>&nbsp;adds when officials go live.<h2>The move in context: what changed in Aurora’s lineup</h2>Aurora confirmed the change on December 27, 2025:&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>&nbsp;(21) joins as a rifler,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jottaaa/" target="_self">jottAAA</a>&nbsp;moves to the bench. The rest of the five stays intact, with Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı remaining as coach.Current Aurora roster:<ul><li>Engin “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/maj3r/" target="_self">MAJ3R</a>” Küpeli (IGL);</li><li>Ismailcan “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/xantares/" target="_self">XANTARES</a>” Dörtkardeş;</li><li>Özgür “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/woxic/" target="_self">woxic</a>” Eker (AWP);</li><li>Ali “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/wicadia/" target="_self">Wicadia</a>” Haydar Yalçın;</li><li>Caner “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>” Kesici;</li><li>Coach: Sezgin “Fabre” Kalaycı.</li></ul>The clock is already ticking toward the debut. BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1 starts online on January 12, 2026, with the main stage running through January 17, so scrim time is limited and early roles need to be clear.<h2>Why Aurora made a switch after their 2025 season</h2>Aurora’s 2025 felt largely disappointing, even with regular playoff runs. Against trophy teams like Vitality, Falcons, and MOUZ, Aurora often could not close the biggest matches.Winning PGL Masters Bucharest was the peak, but the event also pointed to a need for steadier rifle impact behind the carry pieces in pressure games.<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:24.25%;"><col style="width:24.25%;"><col style="width:24.25%;"><col style="width:27.25%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Match (Bucharest 2025)</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Scoreline</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Key stats</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Note</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Final vs Legacy (Nov 1)</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">3-2: Dust2 13-11, Mirage 13-8, Train 17-19, Inferno 8-13, Nuke 13-11</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/xantares/" target="_self">XANTARES</a>&nbsp;103-83, 1.36 (POTM);&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jottaaa/" target="_self">jottAAA</a>&nbsp;85-92</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Close maps, support negative</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">vs Astralis, Swiss R5 (Oct 30)</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">2-1: Nuke 10-13, Train 13-8, Mirage 13-10</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/woxic/" target="_self">woxic</a>&nbsp;54-38, 1.29 (POTM);&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jottaaa/" target="_self">jottAAA</a>&nbsp;38-45, 0.91</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">AWP carried, rifles uneven</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>At Bucharest,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/xantares/" target="_self">XANTARES</a>&nbsp;averaged a 1.27 rating across 23 maps and led the final with a +4.08% round swing. Those numbers show Aurora can win titles when their stars heat up.But margins were tiny, including two 13-11 maps and a 13-11 decider on Nuke. In CS2, that is where extra trades, better spacing, and one more multi-kill from riflers flips a series. Aurora benched&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jottaaa/" target="_self">jottAAA</a>&nbsp;and signed&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>&nbsp;to raise that baseline and make close rounds easier to finish cleanly.<h2>Who is soulfly: career path, recent team, and what he brings</h2><a href="https://csspot.org/players/soulfly/" target="_self">soulfly</a>&nbsp;arrives with a clear resume arc. He spent over two years with Sangal, then moved to Fire Flux, where he posted a 1.15 rating across nearly 400 maps and earned #38 on HLTV’s Prospect Report.The attraction is his trend line and his comfort taking fights without freezing the round. In a tight mid-round, that can look like a fast trade on Train’s Ivy crunch or a confident lurk timing that turns a 2v2 into a plant and a clean post-plant. Aurora do not need a total rebuild, just a sharper edge in the rounds that decide trophies.

Gla1ve is a New 100 Thieves Head Coach: What the Move Means

100 Thieves has hired Lukas “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>” Rossander as its new head coach for Counter-Strike 2. He is known for leading top teams in the past, and now his job is to help build a strong plan, keep the players organized, and prepare them for big matches as the team returns to competition.Keep reading to see what this hire says about 100 Thieves’ direction and what it could mean for their results.<h2>The Announcement: Appointment Details and Team Direction</h2>First, the news: 100 Thieves officially named Lukas “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>” Rossander as head coach on December 19, 2025, after a report earlier on December 3. It is his first coaching job since stepping away from playing. For CS2 players, that matters because a head coach sets the team’s system: how they practice, how they prep maps, and how they fix mistakes between matches.Right now, the roster is only partly known:<ul><li>Confirmed: Håvard “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/rain/" target="_self">rain</a>” Nygaard as in-game leader, and&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>&nbsp;as head coach</li><li>Close to happening: Nicolai “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/device/" target="_self">device</a>” Reedtz joining, which would reunite him with&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a></li><li>Not announced yet: the other three players and the first tournament schedule</li></ul>The plan is Europe-based, competing as “100 Thieves Roobet” and building around a planned training facility in Serbia. The next signings will decide if this becomes a fast climb or a slower rebuild.<h2>Why gla1ve: Background, Leadership Profile, and What He Brings to the Role</h2>100 Thieves picked Lukas “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>” Rossander because he has a long record of leading teams with clear rules and calm mid-round calls. He is also moving into coaching at the right time: he retired from playing after a five-month spell on ENCE’s bench and said he has “something extraordinary to offer” as a coach. For CS2 players, that points to sharper practice, cleaner defaults, and fewer rounds thrown by timing mistakes.<h3>Major titles that shaped his leadership</h3>His biggest trophies came during Astralis’ peak:<ol><li>ELEAGUE Major: Atlanta 2017</li><li>FACEIT Major: London 2018</li><li>IEM Katowice Major 2019</li><li>StarLadder Berlin Major 2019</li></ol>Since he is no longer worrying about his own crosshair every round, he can put that attention into prep: anti-strats, mid-round options, and the small rules that keep a team from over-peeking or leaving gaps in a smoke wall.A recent series shows the kind of pressure he has seen up close. On July 10, 2025, ENCE lost 1-2 to ROSY at Exort The Proving Grounds Season 2: Anubis 13-7 to ENCE, Ancient 6-13, Dust II 10-13. Across the match,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>&nbsp;finished 39-49 with a 0.80 rating, while ROSY’s byek led at 55-38, 89.4 ADR, and a 1.72 rating. Losses like that often push a coach toward simple, repeatable plans that still work when comms get loud.<h2>Competitive Impact: Upcoming Goals, How Team Rankings Work, and What This Could Change</h2>100 Thieves is returning to Counter-Strike after more than five years away, and the current circuit rewards teams that stack real results quickly. During its previous CS run, 100 Thieves placed second at IEM Beijing in 2019, then exited the game in 2020. The comeback is starting in a very different ecosystem, with tighter calendars and less patience for slow starts.For invites and long-term positioning, the Valve Regional Standings matter. These standings influence seeding and connect to Major qualification pathways, using a public, results-driven system that weighs opponent strength, event performance, and consistency.A simplified view of what usually moves the needle looks like this:<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:49.26%;"><col style="width:50.74%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Ranking driver</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">What it rewards in practice</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Opponent strength</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Beating teams with strong recent form</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Event placement</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Deep runs across multiple series</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">LAN performance</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Showing the system holds under pressure</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Consistency</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Regular official matches without long gaps</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>That context makes the&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/rain/" target="_self">rain</a>&nbsp;pairing logical. With&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/rain/" target="_self">rain</a>&nbsp;calling in the server and&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/gla1ve/" target="_self">gla1ve</a>&nbsp;handling preparation and review, the early goal is to cut the unforced errors that bleed rounds, then turn a rough first month into stable progress.If&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/device/" target="_self">device</a>&nbsp;joins, the upside is obvious: elite AWP pedigree plus a long-standing connection that can speed up cohesion. If that signing does not happen, the head coach appointment still signals a process-first build, and the next player announcements will determine how quickly the plan turns into wins.

Spirit’s roster reshuffle: magixx & zont1x return, chopper & zweih moved to the bench

Team Spirit is changing its CS2 team right before 2026 begins. Boris “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a>” Vorobiev and Myroslav “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a>” Plakhotia are back in the starting five. Leonid “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>” Vishnyakov and Ivan “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">zweih</a>” Gogin are moving to the bench, meaning they will not play in official matches for now.This also affects leadership, since Spirit will have a new in-game captain with&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>&nbsp;out. Keep reading for the full breakdown, the reasons behind the change, and what to expect in Spirit’s first events of 2026.<h2>Roster change breakdown: who’s back, who’s benched, and what roles change</h2>Spirit confirmed on December 18 that Boris “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a>” Vorobiev and Myroslav “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a>” Plakhotia are returning to the active roster. They take the places of Leonid “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>” Vishnyakov and Ivan “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">zweih</a>” Gogin, who move to the bench and won’t play official matches for now. The coaching staff said that by May it was already clear changes were needed because of psychological problems and physical health issues inside the team.<h3>What changes in the server</h3>With&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>&nbsp;out,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a>&nbsp;becomes the new captain and in-game leader, meaning he calls rounds while still rifling. Coach Sergey “hally” Shavaev said&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a>&nbsp;has to learn the role, but has the ability to become one of the best at it. After stepping away in September for personal reasons,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a>&nbsp;is back; Spirit added Andrii “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/tn1r/" target="_self">tN1R</a>” Tatarinov during that period, and hally said&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a>&nbsp;will return to his old positions.&nbsp;For&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>, this is his second benching since joining Spirit in 2019. He was also put on the transfer list in late 2021, then returned a few months later.<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:34.36%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Status</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Player</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Primary role</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Active roster</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/donk/" target="_self">donk</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">entry rifler, main space-taker</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Active roster</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/sh1ro/" target="_self">sh1ro</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">AWPer, late-round closer</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Active roster</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/tn1r/" target="_self">tN1R</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">rifler, flexible roles</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Active roster</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">rifler, new captain and IGL</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Active roster</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">rifler, returning to previous positions</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Benched</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">former captain and IGL</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Benched</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">zweih</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">rifler, joined in summer 2025</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">Zweih</a>&nbsp;joined in summer 2025. hally praised his talent and called the decision painful, but said&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">zweih</a>’s preferred roles don’t match what Spirit needs right now, and that he still has room to grow at the top level. It should also simplify roles and calls.<h2>Why Spirit “pulled the trigger”: the team’s late-2025 trajectory and coach hally’s explanation</h2>Spirit actually performed well after the last roster change, even winning big events. Still, coach Sergey “hally” Shavaev said the team had deeper problems, and by May it was already clear changes were needed because of psychological issues and physical health issues. Spirit kept playing top tournaments to test the roster under pressure, then made the decision at the end of the year.<ol><li>IEM Cologne (Aug 3): Spirit swept MOUZ 3-0 in the final: Mirage 13-7, Ancient 13-11, Nuke 13-6. Danil “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/donk/" target="_self">donk</a>” Kryshkovets led the series with 62-41 (1.51 K/D) and a 1.60 rating.</li><li>BLAST Bounty Season 2 Finals (Aug 17): Spirit beat The MongolZ 3-0: Nuke 13-11, Mirage 16-13, Ancient 13-5.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/donk/" target="_self">donk</a>&nbsp;again topped Spirit at 65-48 (1.35 K/D), and Dmitry “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/sh1ro/" target="_self">sh1ro</a>” Sokolov went 60-38 (1.58 K/D).</li><li>Budapest Major semi-final (Dec 13): Spirit finished 3-4th after losing to Vitality. Mirage was lost 17-19 after a 12-6 lead, then Dust II ended 8-13.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/donk/" target="_self">donk</a>&nbsp;led Spirit at 47-40 (1.18 K/D) with a 1.33 rating, while Robin “ropz” Kool earned player of the match at 46-31 (1.48 K/D) and a 1.34 rating.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/chopper/" target="_self">chopper</a>&nbsp;posted 23-39 (0.59 K/D) and&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zweih/" target="_self">zweih</a>&nbsp;27-44 (0.61 K/D).</li></ol>Those results show why the decision was tough: trophies were there, but the staff still wanted a healthier setup and clearer roles going into 2026.<h2>What happens next: Spirit’s first matches of 2026 and the short-term expectations</h2>Spirit’s new five is set to debut at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1. The tournament starts January 12 with a 32-team online stage and ends with the Finals in Malta on January 23-25. The prize pool is $1,150,000, and several top teams declined invites, changing the early bracket dynamics.Short term, the spotlight is on&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/magixx/" target="_self">magixx</a>’s transition to full-time IGL. The simplest blueprint stays intact:&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/donk/" target="_self">donk</a>&nbsp;takes space,&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/sh1ro/" target="_self">sh1ro</a>&nbsp;closes, and the rest keep trades clean.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zont1x/" target="_self">zont1x</a>&nbsp;returning to his previous positions should cut down on hesitation and speed up mid-round decisions, especially on maps where Spirit’s spacing relies on crisp timing.Expect a few swings early as the calling structure settles. Online matches can reward confidence, but Malta games punish messy mid-rounds. If Spirit looks calmer in tight halves than it did in Budapest, this reshuffle will start paying off quickly.

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Winners: Champions, Final Standings, and Highlights

Vitality are the CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 champions after beating FaZe 3-1 in the grand final.The match swung hard after the opening map, with Vitality taking control and closing the series with confident CS. This article breaks down every map score, the final standings, and the top individual awards, including the best performers.<h2>Who won the Major: champion, finalist, and key moments from the grand final</h2>Vitality lifted the CS2 StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 trophy on December 14, closing the event as back-to-back Major champions, the first repeat winners since Astralis in 2019.The first-ever best-of-five Major final opened with a shock. FaZe’s Nuke pick was one-sided, a 13-6 win where&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zywoo/" target="_self">ZywOo</a>&nbsp;looked unusually off his timing, and Finn “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/karrigan/" target="_self">karrigan</a>” Andersen topped FaZe’s defense with a 2.90 CT rating and 158 ADR.Then the reset hit. On Dust2, Vitality flipped the pace, punished FaZe’s early info moves, and sprinted to a 9-1 lead before sealing a 13-3 stomp.Inferno was tighter on paper at 13-9, but it still felt like Vitality were steering the wheel.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/mezii/" target="_self">Mezii</a>&nbsp;stacked clutch after clutch and finished the map with a 23-8 K-D, 2.00 rating, and seven multi-kills, stopping every late FaZe push from turning into real momentum.Overpass was the finishing blow: Vitality ran up an 11-1 T half and closed 13-2.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/ropz/" target="_self">Ropz</a>, facing his former team, produced the series’ signature highlight with a 22-7 K-D, 144.1 ADR, and a 2.89 rating on the decider.Grand final map scores (Bo5):<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:34.36%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Map</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Winner</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Score</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Nuke</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">FaZe</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">13-6</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Dust2</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">13-3</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Inferno</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">13-9</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Overpass</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">13-2</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>After dropping the opener, Vitality won three straight and never let the series reach Mirage.<h2>Final placement overview: how teams are ranked and what each position means</h2>StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 ran from December 4 to December 14 in Budapest, Hungary, with 16 teams and a $1,170,000 prize pool.In this format, the top eight are the playoff teams, with quarter-finals deciding who enters the “real trophy zone” of top four. Top 11 still pays out, but it usually reads like a missed chance because one bad day can turn a good Swiss run into an early exit.<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:32.82%;"><col style="width:34.36%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Placement</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Teams</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Prize</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1st</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$500,000</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">2nd</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">FaZe</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$170,000</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">3rd-4th</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Natus Vincere, Spirit</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$80,000 each</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">5th-8th</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">FURIA, MOUZ, The MongolZ, Falcons</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$45,000 each</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">9th-11th</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">G2, Passion UA, B8</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$20,000 each</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">12th-14th</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">3DMAX, Imperial, paiN</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$20,000 each</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">15th-16th</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">PARIVISION, Liquid</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">$20,000 each</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>Those placements also reflect the playoff bracket: Vitality beat Spirit in the semis, while FaZe defeated Natus Vincere to reach the final.<h2>Awards and takeaways: MVP, best performers, and main highlights</h2><a href="https://csspot.org/players/zywoo/" target="_self">ZywOo</a>&nbsp;earned the Major MVP award, giving him a historic third Major MVP medal and making him the only player with three.The grand final stats tell a clean story: Vitality had multiple stars online at once.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/mezii/" target="_self">Mezii</a>&nbsp;was the series’ most efficient closer at 54-33 (1.64 K/D) with a 1.41 rating, while&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/ropz/" target="_self">ropz</a>&nbsp;piled on the damage at 60-46 (1.30 K/D) with a 1.39 rating.&nbsp;<a href="https://csspot.org/players/zywoo/" target="_self">ZywOo</a>&nbsp;still posted 58-39 (1.49 K/D) and a 1.23 rating even after that rough Nuke opener.FaZe’s best overall performer was David “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/frozen/" target="_self">frozen</a>” Čerňanský, ending 53-47 (1.13 K/D) with a 1.16 rating, but the series slipped away once Vitality started chaining late-round hits and clutches.<h3>Key player lines (grand final totals)</h3>Here are the most telling individual numbers from the grand final, showing who consistently won duels and who delivered the biggest impact across the series. The stats below combine total K-D, K/D ratio, and Rating 3.0 for quick comparison.<figure class="table" style="float:left;width:100%;"><table class="ck-table-resized"><colgroup><col style="width:19.7%;"><col style="width:19.7%;"><col style="width:19.7%;"><col style="width:19.7%;"><col style="width:21.2%;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Player</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Team</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">K-D</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">K/D</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Rating 3.0</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/mezii/" target="_self">mezii</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">54-33</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.64</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.41</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/ropz/" target="_self">ropz</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">60-46</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.30</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.39</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/zywoo/" target="_self">ZywOo</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">Vitality</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">58-39</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.49</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.23</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;"><a href="https://csspot.org/players/frozen/" target="_self">frozen</a></td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">FaZe</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">53-47</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.13</td><td style="border:0.5pt solid #000000;padding:5pt;vertical-align:top;">1.16</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>One more storyline landed in the background: ropz has now played in every CS2 Major final and added a third Major trophy to his cabinet.Two final takeaways stuck after the confetti. First, Vitality’s calling was the difference maker, turning FaZe’s trademark chaos into predictable rotations across Dust2, Inferno, and Overpass.Second, FaZe’s run still had that “how are they still alive” feeling. They were reported to be 0.4 seconds from elimination against RED Canids earlier in the tournament, and they still reached the final, with rookie Jakub “<a href="https://csspot.org/players/jcobbb/" target="_self">jcobbb</a>” Pietruszewski growing into the stage as the event went on.Anyone who has watched a Major from the last row of the arena knows that kind of escape creates belief, right up until a team like Vitality slams the door.

Results of the First Day of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 (Stage 1)

The first day of Stage 1 was intense: 16 teams played their opening BO1 matches, determining who starts the tournament with momentum and who will already have to fight for survival tomorrow.<h2>Key Matches and Highlights</h2>– Imperial opened the tournament confidently:&nbsp;<a href="/en/players/chelo" target="_self">chelo</a>&nbsp;delivered a decisive round with four frags from the Galil, securing a victory against Rare Atom. – In the PARIVISION vs The Huns match,&nbsp;<a href="/en/players/xielo" target="_self">xiELO</a>&nbsp;scored an ace, becoming one of the day’s main highlights. –&nbsp;<a href="/en/players/krimz" target="_self">KRIMZ</a>&nbsp;from fnatic achieved the first Major ace since Boston 2018 — a play that helped fnatic turn the match against RED Canids.<h3>Tournament Issues</h3>The day wasn’t without problems: during the fnatic match there were delays and pauses due to equipment issues, disrupting the pace of the game. Some teams also pointed out organizational and scheduling inconveniences.<h3>What to Expect Tomorrow</h3>On the second day: – FlyQuest, M80, Fluxo, and NRG will play their 2-0 matches for qualification to the next stage. – In the 0-2 matches, RareAtom, The Huns, GamerLegion, and LynnVision will fight for survival. Tomorrow promises to be intense: the first teams will be eliminated, while others may secure the earliest spots in Stage 2.

StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Begins — the Main Event of the Year

Today in Budapest, the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 officially begins — one of the key tournaments of the season and the central Counter-Strike Major. The organizers return to hosting a Major for the first time since 2019, and the scale of the event makes it especially significant for the entire competitive scene.The tournament runs from November 24 to December 14, featuring 32 teams divided into four stages. The first three phases are held at the MTK Sportpark, a venue with a capacity of around two thousand spectators. The final stage will take place at the large MVM Dome arena, where the tension and excitement will reach their peak. The total prize pool exceeds one million dollars, with the champion taking half of the amount.<h2>Opening matches of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025</h2>B8 vs M80 at 13:00 CEST Imperial vs Rare Atom at 13:00 CEST Legacy vs FlyQuest at 14:00 CEST PARIVISION vs The Huns at 14:00 CESTThese matchups set the pace for the opening day and shape the foundation of the Swiss format used during the first stage. The initial wave of games already draws increased attention, as it features teams from different regions, making the early phase unpredictable.<h3>Why Budapest Major 2025 matters</h3>This tournament stands out because all stages are held with a live audience. This brings back the atmosphere of large LAN events, something both&nbsp;<a href="/en/players" target="_self">CS2 players</a>&nbsp;and viewers have long been waiting for. The tournament structure includes a transition from Bo1 to more intense Bo3 matches, leading up to a Bo5 grand final — creating a fair and competitive path to the title.Budapest Major is already considered one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year, and the opening matchups confirm that several weeks of intense and exciting competition lie ahead.

Chr1zN may move from OG to HEROIC to replace LNZ

The CS2 community is actively discussing potential changes in the HEROIC lineup. According to insiders, the organization is considering replacing&nbsp;<a href="/en/players/lnz" target="_self">LNZ</a>&nbsp;with OG player&nbsp;<a href="/en/players/chr1zn" target="_self">Chr1zN</a>.There are still no official comments from the clubs or the&nbsp;<a href="/en/players" target="_self">CS2 players</a>&nbsp;themselves, but the rumors continue to grow: analysts note that such a move could significantly improve HEROIC’s aggression and stability on the map.Chr1zN has recently shown solid form, and his playstyle could fit well into HEROIC’s structure. LNZ, according to several experts, may leave the active roster due to inconsistent performances at recent events.Fans of both teams are waiting for confirmation — if the rumors turn out to be true, the European CS2 scene may soon receive one of the most interesting offseason transfers.

sAw revealed G2’s plans for the Major and assessed the potential of the updated roster

The new G2 Esports coach, sAw, said that he sees huge unrealized potential in the roster and believes his arrival can bring stability back to the team after a difficult and inconsistent season. He noted that G2 sets ambitious goals, and with proper preparation the team can reach an entirely new level.According to him, the main task is to build a stable training system and strengthen the permanent lineup of&nbsp;<a href="/en/players" target="_self">CS2 players</a>. Consistency and a clear structure, the coach believes, will allow G2 to show their maximum at the upcoming Major.Current G2 roster: <a href="/en/players/hunter" target="_self">huNter-</a>&nbsp;— captain <a href="/en/players/malbsmd" target="_self">malbsMd</a> <a href="/en/players/heavygod" target="_self">HeavyGod</a> <a href="/en/players/sunpayus" target="_self">SunPayus</a> <a href="/en/players/matys" target="_self">MATYS</a> Coach: sAwG2’s plans for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 sAw confirmed that preparation for the Major will be the team’s central focus. He aims to bring G2 to a form close to their peak and is confident that with the current lineup G2 can become a playoff contender. The main emphasis will be on stability, a systematic training process, and gradually unlocking each player’s potential in the renewed structure.

FURIA won the BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 finals — 3:1 over Falcons

The BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 finals in Hong Kong concluded with FURIA defeating Falcons 3:1. The series was tense, but the Brazilians confidently controlled the key moments.<h2>Who stood out in the BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 finals</h2><a href="/en/players/molodoy" target="_self">molodoy</a>&nbsp;— crucial clutches and smart decisions.<a href="/en/players/kscerato" target="_self">KSCERATO</a>&nbsp;— key frags and consistent highlights throughout the series.<a href="/en/players/monesy" target="_self">m0NESY</a>&nbsp;— earned the tournament MVP despite Falcons’ loss.ConclusionFURIA reaffirmed their status as one of the strongest lineups of the season and added another trophy to their collection, while Falcons once again fell just short of the title.

BLAST Rivals 2025 — Season 2 Semifinals: Falcons and FURIA Reach the Grand Final

The BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 semifinals concluded in Hong Kong, with Falcons and FURIA securing spots in the grand final.FURIA 2:0 paiN The Brazilians delivered a confident performance — 13:3 on&nbsp;Nuke and 16:12 on&nbsp;<a href="/en/wiki/overview-map-overpass" target="_self">Overpass</a>. FURIA controlled the match from start to finish and comfortably advanced to the final.Falcons 2:0 Vitality Falcons won with the same scoreline — 16:13 on&nbsp;<a href="/en/wiki/overview-map-inferno" target="_self">Inferno</a>&nbsp;and 13:7 on&nbsp;<a href="/en/wiki/overview-map-nuke" target="_self">Nuke</a>. The team showed stability and didn’t allow Vitality to come back into the series.Falcons and FURIA are the finalists and will compete for the BLAST Rivals Season 2 title in a BO5 grand final.

Match (Bucharest 2025)	Scoreline	Key stats	Note
Final vs Legacy (Nov 1)	3-2: Dust2 13-11, Mirage 13-8, Train 17-19, Inferno 8-13, Nuke 13-11	XANTARES 103-83, 1.36 (POTM); jottAAA 85-92	Close maps, support negative
vs Astralis, Swiss R5 (Oct 30)	2-1: Nuke 10-13, Train 13-8, Mirage 13-10	woxic 54-38, 1.29 (POTM); jottAAA 38-45, 0.91	AWP carried, rifles uneven