The PGL Bucharest 2025 playoffs are starting soon! Pinnacle is here to preview the eight playoff teams and their opening matches in the playoffs.
GamerLegion (-111*) vs. Falcons (-110*)
GamerLegion (GL) has been absent from top-tier tournament playoffs for some time, with their current #14 ranking on Valve/HLTV confirming their middle-tier status. The team lacks standout individual performers, as all players maintain average ratings without a clear star carry. However, their 75% win rate on Inferno over the past three months suggests potential as a map specialist team.
Meanwhile, Falcons have returned to top-tier playoff contention for the first time since February's PGL Cluj-Napoca tournament. Their Swiss stage run was particularly dramatic - after nearly facing elimination at 0-2, they staged a comeback culminating in a clutch 16-14 overtime victory against The MongolZ in the decider match. Star rifler Nikola "NiKo" Kovač continues to anchor the squad with a consistent 1.19 rating over the last three months.
The roster is poised for a seismic shift, with reports indicating Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov (G2's star AWPer) will replace Abdul "degster" Gasanov. While the exact transition timeline remains unconfirmed, this change leaves degster with dwindling opportunities to prove his worth in the current lineup.
Best bet: Falcons Money Line (-110*)
Bet: GamerLegion vs. Falcons odds
3DMAX (+106*) vs. FaZe (-128*)
3DMAX has stormed into the playoffs undefeated, pulling off stunning upsets against higher-ranked opponents like The MongolZ and Aurora (formerly Eternal Fire). This Cinderella run is particularly impressive given their usual absence from top-tier tournaments and lack of star power – similar to GamerLegion, their players maintain average ratings but share a 75% win rate on Inferno over the last three months, proving their map-specific prowess.
The traditional powerhouse FaZe finds itself in uncharted territory, trophy-less since IEM Chengdu 2024 – a full year ago. The departure of star rifler Robin "ropz" Kool (who has already won three trophies with Vitality this year) has left FaZe in an awkward position. This playoff appearance represents a critical opportunity for the remaining roster to prove they can still compete at the highest level.
Best bets: 3DMAX Handicap +1.5 (-294*) and Total Maps Over 2.5 (-107*)
Bet: 3DMAX vs. FaZe odds
Complexity (+186*) vs. Aurora (-245*)
The North American squad Complexity, absent from top-tier tournaments in recent years, has returned to a major playoff stage with their veteran core of Michael "Grim" Wince, Ioannis "JT" Theodosiou, and Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli (together for 3 years) now bolstered by two new additions. Their resurgence is backed by a dominant 90% win rate on Anubis over the past three months, establishing them as a map-specific threat.
In a surprising move, Serbian organization Aurora acquired the original Eternal Fire roster last week – a storied Turkish lineup that has long been the flagbearer for Turkish Counter-Strike. Despite the organizational shift, the team’s performance remains steady, advancing to the playoffs with a 3-1 record. Star AWPer Özgür "woxic" Eker emphasized in an HLTV interview: “We’re ready to prove nothing has changed in our mission to represent Turkish CS globally.” This tournament marks their international debut under the Aurora banner, but their national pride stays uncompromised.
Best bets: Aurora Money Line (-245*) and Total Maps Over 2.5 (+103*)
Bet: Complexity vs. Aurora odds
G2 (-245*) vs. Virtus.pro (+196*)
Despite the looming departure of star AWPer Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov to Falcons, G2 has shown no signs of slowing down, securing a flawless 3-0 playoff qualification. Their map pool remains formidable, boasting an 80% win rate on Dust II and 72.7% on Inferno over the past three months. m0NESY, the team’s highest-rated player (1.30 rating), continues to spearhead their success. With speculation mounting about G2’s future post-m0NESY, this tournament represents one of the final opportunities for this roster to lift a trophy together.
Virtus.pro currently occupies a precarious middle ground—consistent enough to eliminate lower-tier teams but lacking the firepower to challenge elite squads. Their 81.8% Dust II win rate (last 3 months) hints at map-specific strength, but without deeper tactical evolution, they risk stagnation. While they remain playoff-capable, their ceiling against top-tier opposition seems firmly capped.
Best bets: G2 Handicap –1.5 (+138*) and Total Maps Under 2.5 (-129*)
*Odds subject to change
