A Long Awaited Victory

Ukrainian powerhouse NAVI has once again risen to the top of Counter Strike esports. After a year of struggles and missed opportunities, the team secured the StarLadder StarSeries Season 19 championship in Budapest, Hungary. The victory brought home $200,000 in prize money and ended a drought that stretched back to their IEM Rio win in 2024.

The Road to the Trophy

NAVI’s journey to the title was not without setbacks. Starting in the upper bracket thanks to their strong Valve Regional Standings position, the team stumbled in their opening clash against 9INE by dropping the first map. But the experience and composure of NAVI shone through as they rallied to take the series 2-1.

Building on that momentum, NAVI dominated Passion UA with a clean sweep, earning themselves a spot against Ninjas in Pyjamas in the upper bracket final. Their coordination and sharp execution proved too much for the Swedish side, as NAVI closed out the series 2-0 to book the first place in the Grand Final.

Ninjas in Pyjamas managed to claw their way back by beating B8 in the lower bracket, setting up a rematch. But when it mattered most, NAVI’s defense and tactical discipline carried them through with another 2-0 victory, sealing the championship in style.

A Sign of Resurgence

The win marks an important turning point for NAVI, who had been under pressure after disappointing finishes earlier this year. They failed to qualify for key BLAST events and suffered early exits at the Esports World Cup, leading many to question the team’s future.

The addition of Drin “Makazze” Shaqiri to the roster has injected fresh energy, and the StarLadder victory shows signs that NAVI is ready to reclaim its place among Counter Strike’s elite.

Looking Ahead

With the Budapest trophy in hand, NAVI now shifts its focus to ESL Pro League Season 22 starting September 27. A strong showing there could secure their spot at the StarLadder Budapest Major in November, giving them another chance to cement their resurgence.

For NAVI fans, this triumph is more than just a win. It signals the return of a team with the pedigree, passion, and potential to dominate once again on the global stage.

 

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