PaiN Gaming and 3DMAX eliminated from StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

Image of PaiN Gaming Counter-Strike player competing at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025

PaiN Gaming and 3DMAX have become the latest teams to bow out of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025‘s third stage.

The Brazilian side, which scored a top-four finish at the Austin Major, and the all-French roster lost in crucial round four Swiss Stage matches.

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PaiN Gaming Bows Out

Although PaiN Gaming kicked off its Stage 3 campaign with a victory over 3DMAX in the first round, defeats to G2 Esports and NAVI put it on the verge of elimination. As a result, a victory over an in-form B8 side was required to remain in the tournament.

The Brazilians began Dust II on the front foot, establishing a 7-5 lead in the first half. B8 responded with a 7-5 half of its own, forcing overtime in a hotly contested map. After a back-and-forth overtime, B8 grabbed Dust II 19-16, leaving PaiN Gaming’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

B8’s pick of Ancient had already proven fruitful after defeating Team Falcons earlier in the stage. Strong defensive displays in both halves saw both teams level after 24 rounds, with overtime required to separate them once again. Despite the best efforts of Rodrigo ‘biguzera‘ Bittencourt, B8’s defence proved superior in overtime, taking the map 16-12 to secure a 2-0 sweep.

Having arrived in Budapest looking for a repeat of its Austin heroics, PaiN Gaming heads home with a top-14 finish and $20,000 (~£14,987) in prize money.

3DMAX Heads Home

Defeats to PaiN Gaming and Team Vitality in the first two rounds already put 3DMAX on the back foot heading into the best-of-threes. A hard-fought 2-1 win over Parivision enabled the French side to fight another day, where a match against FaZe Clan would decide its fate.

Despite FaZe Clan’s hit-and-miss form during the Major, the Red Militia came out swinging, taking Dust II 13-6 to keep its own playoff ambitions alive. FaZe’s superior defence proved the difference on Inferno, taking the map 13-5 and a 2-0 series victory to send 3DMAX packing.

MOUZ, Team Vitality And The MongolZ Secure Playoffs

Image of MOUZ Counter-Strike player fist bumping teammate and cheering while competing at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — Image credit: StarLadder

Following the outcomes of round three, several heavy hitters returned to action in round four of the Budapest Major with a 2-1 record and a second bite at earning a place in the MVM Dome.

Following defeat to Team Spirit, MOUZ faced off against Team Falcons in a battle between two of the world’s most consistent Counter-Strike 2 rosters. Team Falcons struck first, overturning a four-round deficit to take Mirage 13-11 along with the early series lead.

MOUZ answered back emphatically on Inferno with solid defensive holds, resulting in a 13-6 scoreline to level the series at one map apiece. Nuke would play host to the decider, where MOUZ’s superior defence held firm once again. Even with a late Team Falcons surge, MOUZ closed out Nuke 13-10 to book its place in another playoffs.

Elsewhere, Team Vitality secured its place in the playoffs after fending off a defiant NAVI side that had several opportunities to send the powerhouse roster into the fifth round.

While the addition of Unudelger ‘Controlez‘ Baasanjargal to The MongolZ surprised many, the Mongolians also earned its place in the last eight after sweeping aside G2 Esports. Garidmangai ‘bLitz‘ Byambasuren excelled on Dust II with one-versus-two and one-versus-three clutches playing pivotal roles in a solid showing for the Austin Major runners-up.

Round Five Matches Set

With five teams already qualified for the playoffs, attention turns to the fifth and final round of Stage 3, where three more teams will earn a place at the MVM Dome for a chance to compete for Counter-Strike’s biggest title.

Below are the remaining Stage 3 matches taking place on December 7th, 2025: