NaVi secure much-needed StarSeries victory, but is it enough to revive their season?

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 22/09/2025

NaVi returned to winning ways with a much-needed victory in StarSeries Season 19.

Their victory was largely expected due to the ranking discrepancy between the Ukrainian org’s roster and their opponents, largely Tier-2 teams.

That ranking disparity meant that NaVi simply had to win in order to avoid criticism in what has been a difficult year for the roster, which had won four significant trophies last year, including the PGL Copenhagen 2024 Major.

Win they did, dropping only one map across their four series as they progressed through the competition, culminating in a 2-0 Grand Final victory over NIP.

The event marked StarLadder’s return as a Tournament Organiser (TO) in Counter-Strike. The historic TO is now owned by NODWIN, which acquired the company in January.

StarLadder’s return to the space was a delayed one, with StarSeries Season 19 originally planned for May 26-Jun 1, but was cancelled due to a clash with the Austin Major MRQ.

Season 19 itself was a cut-down format, as it was originally planned as a 16-team event. Again, the change came due to clashes, notably with Fissure Playground 2, which Furia eventually won.

Scheduling difficulty meant that StarSeries Season 19 is StarLadder’s only event before the StarLadder Budapest 2025 Major in December, with the TO under pressure to run a smooth, large-scale event after only running one small LAN in 2025.

Is confidence enough for NaVi?

NaVi have a long history with StarLadder, winning several of their historic events, most recently the 2021 CIS RMR in which they defeated rivals Gambit before their Stockholm 2021 Major victory.

Today’s Natus Vincere is long separated from that dominant roster.

Under pressure rifler, Mihal ‘iM’ Ivan was interviewed by HLTV early in the event, stating, “It doesn’t matter if it’s higher opponents or lower opponents, we just need to get some wins,” emphasising the roster’s need for confidence.

The roster will also still be building familiarity with their promoted rookie, Drin ‘Makazze’ Shaqiri, who won his first tournament with victory in Budapest.

However, increased familiarity and confidence may not be enough to win the next StarLadder event, as questions remain over NaVi’s firepower relative to opponents.

Faced with a StarSeries event in which NaVi were huge esports betting sites favourites, where players like Ihor ‘w0nderful’ Zhdanov and Valerii ‘b1t’ Vakhovskyi can dominate opposition, NaVi settled into the tournament after dropping a map against 9ine in their opening match-up.

The roster went on to not drop a map for the rest of the tournament, defeating NIP twice 2-0 on the way towards the trophy.

At times, the Counter-Strike looked messier than NaVi would like, but their individuals bailed them out of tough moments. The issue is that they do not benefit from that aim differential when it comes to Tier-1 opposition at the high level.

NaVi’s coach Andrii ‘B1ad3’ Horodenskyi may come up with the perfect game plan, but that game plan may be deconstructed by opposition that can outgun NaVi even in unfavourable moments.

For a roster that has lacked synergy and confidence for much of the year, the StarSeries victory may provide a boost, but whether that boost can put them into contention is highly doubtful.

British talent star in StarSeries as Frankie Ward returns to Counter-Strike

The event also saw the return of Frankie Ward to Counter-Strike action, hosting the event from her home.

Despite the Brit having a significant broadcasting legacy in the space, the event was Ward’s first return to a professional Counter-Strike event since ESL Impact League Season 3 in 2023.

Only James Banks, as the interviewer, was present in person for the Budapest event, bringing his own puppy to the event à la FalleN at Fissure.

Other UK talent working from home included casters Neo ‘Ne0kai’ Caine, Jacky ‘Jacky’ Powers, and Brandon ‘BDog’ Rawlings, casting alongside his casting partner, Lucy ‘LucyLuce’ Eastwood, an Australian UK resident.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

All Posts By Darragh Harbinson