Ruslana Berest, better known by her nickname DKLana and the manager of Team Spirit's Dota 2 roster, attended a CS:GO/CS2 major in Budapest for the first time and shared her impressions of the event. Her observations highlight how the scene and atmosphere at a CS major feel distinct from what she is used to in the Dota 2 world.
Berest said the event felt very interesting and had an unusual atmosphere. She enjoys traveling to CS tournaments because, in her view, team behavior and the way the competition unfolds differ markedly from Dota events. Everything felt new and refreshing to her, which made the experience enjoyable.
According to Berest, CS teams seem more "alive": players interact more with each other and with fans and often engage in real-life activities between matches — she even noticed members of one team kicking a ball around. She contrasted that with Dota, which she described as more structured and focused on strict timing: both teams and organizers are more tense and tightly organized in Dota events, whereas the CS major gave her a greater sense of freedom and a looser atmosphere.
On the competitive side, Team Spirit recently defeated MOUZ with a 2–1 scoreline. After the third stage of the major, Danil "donk" Kryshkovets held a rating of 1.73. In the team's first two matches of the tournament, the player recorded two aces, a notable individual achievement.
The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is being held from November 24 to December 14, with teams competing for a $1.25 million prize pool. Fans can follow the schedule and match results through the tournament's official reports and coverage channels.