The matchup between Astralis and Team Spirit in the third round of the PGL Astana 2025 Swiss stage promises to be one of the most exciting so far. Both teams are sitting at 2-0 and will be fighting for a direct spot in the playoffs.
Team Form
Astralis
After a rough start to the season and replacing cadiaN with HooXi, Astralis are slowly but steadily regaining their form. The match against ODDIK turned out to be a real test — after dropping the second map (Ancient), the team showed resilience and closed out the decider. Stavn has been a standout performer from day one, posting a 1.46 rating against ODDIK and scoring 41 kills in the match versus paiN.
Against paiN Gaming, the Danes looked much more stable — no major mistakes, solid execution of setups, and strong positional play. Still, it’s important to consider the level of their opponents — neither ODDIK nor paiN were contenders for playoff qualification.
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Team Spirit
Spirit entered the tournament as one of the top favorites and have lived up to that status so far. Their win over GamerLegion (2-0) was relatively smooth — both maps ended 13:11, but Spirit were in control the entire time. Their match against NiP, however, was a true show of strength: they dismantled the Swedes on Train (16:13) and Dust2 (13:4), dominating every facet of the game.
As always, donk was the centerpiece — 51 kills across two maps, a 1.66 rating, clutch aggression, and complete control of mid-range fights. Zont1x also had a strong showing, while chopper, though not leading in stats, continues to effectively dictate the team’s tempo.
Map Pool & Veto
- Astralis are expected to ban Dust2, their usual permaban.
- Team Spirit typically remove Ancient, which they avoid in recent tournaments.
- Team Spirit are confident on: Dust2, Anubis
- Astralis are solid on: Ancient, Nuke
The second map pick will be the deciding factor, as it could tilt the balance. If Astralis can pull the veto in their favor, they might push this to three maps or even steal the series.
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Prediction
While Astralis are clearly improving, Team Spirit look more structured overall and possess stronger individual firepower. If Spirit are allowed to dictate the pace and control the veto, they are favored to win.
Prediction: Team Spirit win 2-1, but Astralis can definitely take a map thanks to their flexibility and experience.
This match between Astralis and Team Spirit will be a serious test for both rosters. With a direct playoff ticket on the line, motivation is at its peak. Expect a tense and tactical battle where every round matters.
