Team Spirit has become the first squad to secure a playoff berth at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 after defeating MOUZ in a hard-fought three-map series on December 5.
Mirage kicked off the series – and Spirit looked untouchable, closing the map 13-5 to set the tone. Despite a resurgence from MOUZ on Train (falling 10-13), Spirit stayed composed and clinched the decider on Overpass with a tight 13-11.
With that win, Spirit completed a flawless group-stage run and stamped their name as the first team to reach the playoffs – a strong statement ahead of the final phase.
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donk: Game-Changing Fragging
Before the Major, donk stated he was focusing less on being the “star” and more on collective victories. Yet, his performance against MOUZ arguably did the opposite – putting him front and center.
- On Mirage, donk opened with 24-12 K-D and a 2.25 rating, powering Spirit’s dominant start to the series.
- Across the full series, he averaged a 1.73 rating over five maps, his second-highest LAN average after his 1.75 at IEM Katowice.
- His impact went beyond raw numbers: with multiple high-impact multi-kills, clutch rounds, and consistent pressure, donk repeatedly turned momentum in Spirit’s favor – particularly on Mirage and Overpass.
Despite donk’s heroics, it wasn’t a one-man show. On Mirage, teammates such as chopper and sh1ro also delivered vital rounds – chopper and sh1ro combined for key multi-kills and clutch plays that complemented donk’s aggression.
This balance – star-level fragging plus disciplined teamplay – underscores why Spirit are looking like real contenders.
What This Win Signals for Spirit’s Major Run
Confidence and Momentum
Securing playoff qualification first among all teams gives Spirit a psychological edge heading into the playoff stage.
Team Chemistry and Star Power
donk’s fragging combined with the steady anchors from chopper, sh1ro, and others suggest Spirit have both the firepower and the structure to go deep.
A Spotlight on donk
His current form elevates expectations – if he keeps performing like this, donk becomes one of the most dangerous players in the tournament.
For opponents, Spirit now represents a dual threat: a well-coordinated unit backed by a true individual powerhouse.
