The StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 has ended in Budapest, and it brought a long-awaited trophy for NAVI. The Ukrainian organization defeated NIP 2:0 in the grand final and finally claimed their first big title of the year. For NAVI, this was an important step after a series of disappointing results earlier in the season.
With this win, NAVI secured $200,000, while the runner-up NIP earned $130,000. The next stop for the Counter-Strike calendar will be ESL Pro League Season 22, starting on September 27 with a massive $1,000,000 prize pool.
w0nderful Gets His First MVP
The big story of this tournament is the rise of Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov. The 19-year-old Ukrainian AWPer was the best player of the event and received his first MVP medal.
w0nderful’s numbers were strong across the board:
- 0.81 kills per round
- 80.2 ADR (average damage per round)
- 7.0 overall rating
This may not look like the most dominant MVP run ever, but it was clear that NAVI’s success heavily depended on his performance. He showed up in the most important moments, especially in the grand final against NIP, where he outshined everyone.
Match ratings for w0nderful at StarSeries Fall 2025:
- 6.9 vs 9INE
- 6.1 vs Passion UA
- 7.9 vs NIP
- 7.4 vs NIP (final)
The grand final was the highlight of his run. Calm, consistent, and efficient, w0nderful proved that he can carry NAVI on the big stage. For a player who had struggled earlier in the season with consistency, this MVP is a huge confidence boost.
EVPs of StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025
Alongside the MVP, StarLadder also highlighted a few players with EVP (Exceptionally Valuable Player) awards. These are players who didn’t win the MVP but were still crucial and outstanding at the event.
makazze – 6.7
Drin “makazze” Shaqiri was one of the most stable players at this event. His consistency helped his team stay competitive, and he was impactful throughout the matches. Still, his performance dropped in the final, which stopped him from reaching MVP-level form.
xKacpersky – 6.7
The Polish rifler from NIP was the standout player of the team despite their loss in the final. On the last day, Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara had incredible numbers: 7.9 vs B8 and 6.8 vs NAVI. His aggressive style gave NIP the firepower needed to reach second place.
b1t – 6.6
For a long time, fans have been waiting for Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi to shine again. In Budapest, he finally delivered. The NAVI rifler was solid, reliable, and made several key plays that turned difficult rounds into wins. His anchor role was very important for NAVI’s victory.
Martinez – 6.5
Gentle Mates didn’t go far in the event, finishing 4th. But their AWPer Antonio “Martinez” Martinez was still impressive. His stable performance and ability to create chances made him an easy pick for an EVP, even if his team didn’t reach the final.
Why This Event Matters for NAVI
StarLadder StarSeries gave them a chance to reset. The level of competition was lower than at events like Cologne or FISSURE Playground, but the pressure was still there. NAVI needed to show dominance — and they did. w0nderful’s MVP performance, b1t’s revival, and the team’s overall stability are all good signs heading into ESL Pro League.
Looking Ahead
The focus now moves to ESL Pro League Season 22, which will run from September 27 to October 12. With a $1,000,000 prize pool, much stronger teams, and Major qualification points on the line (for the first stage), NAVI will face a real test.
The StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2025 may not have had the strongest lineup, but it gave us a new story: the rise of w0nderful. His first MVP is a big milestone in his young career, and it came at the perfect moment for NAVI. With the team finally lifting a trophy, they now have confidence going into bigger challenges ahead.
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