HLTV Live from DraculaN Season 2: Clutches, Eliminations & Surprise Runs in Bucharest

HLTV Live from DraculaN Season 2: Clutches, Eliminations & Surprise Runs in Bucharest

The DraculaN Season 2 playoffs in Bucharest have delivered dramatic clashes, standout individual performances, and several surprises in the double-elimination bracket. HLTV is reporting live as key teams fight to survive and advance. 

What follows are the most compelling storylines so far, match highlights, player quotes, and implications for the tournament's next stages.

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Format, Stakes & Setting

DraculaN Season 2 is an online-offline hybrid event culminating in LAN in Bucharest. The playoff stage uses a double elimination bracket, with most matches in best-of-3 format. 

Teams eliminated early must put on a strong showing in the lower bracket to avoid early exit. The tournament carries VRS (Visa Roster System) weight, making each match even more consequential for roster stability. 

On Day 2 of the playoffs, eight teams remain and some may play up to three series in a single day. 

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Key Matches & Turning Points

ECSTATIC’s Steamroll Over Reason

One of the most dominant results: ECSTATIC, led by acoR, dismantled Reason with map scores of 13–3 on Ancient and 13–8 on Train. acoR’s performance stood out, with a rating of 1.84 and ADR (average damage per round) of 108.9. 

Their clean, confident win propelled them deeper into the upper bracket and solidified a favorite tag in the tournament.

Basement Boys Upset Nexus

Basement Boys pulled off a surprise result by eliminating Nexus in a tight three-map series. Their advances had them taking Nuke, while Nexus managed Ancient and Train, but ultimately Basement Boys won the decider. 

This win put Basement Boys into the upper bracket semifinals and showcased their ability to seize key rounds under pressure.

FlyQuest vs. SINNERS — Margin of Survival

In a dramatic lower-bracket match, FlyQuest eliminated SINNERS following a 46-round Dust2 that tested mental resilience. FlyQuest ultimately closed it out on Ancient. 

The extended map showed how evenly matched the teams were—and how momentum and mental focus can swing the outcome even when both squads fight for survival.

Nemiga’s Abject Exit

Nemiga, a historically recognized name, faced an embarrassing early exit from the tournament. After losing to 9BOOMPRO, they were subsequently eliminated by Nuclear TigeRES, finishing in the 9th–12th range. 

Captain Aliaksandr “1eeR” Nahorny did not shy away from the public fallout, calling the result “embarrassing” and admitting his responsibilities as both leader and IGL. 

He also admitted that internal reflection and possible roster changes might follow:

“The coach and captain bear the main responsibility … we lost 0-2 and got eliminated … either in approach or somewhere else.” 

Metizport Crash & MaiL09’s Promise

Metizport endured a harsh exit after losing to Nexus and then to FlyQuest, failing to win a map in either series. 

New signing Liam “MaiL09” Tügel, playing his first LAN with Metizport, drew praise despite the losses. Former players noted his natural aim, confidence, and skill ceiling. 

Metizport’s brief stay also drew commentary from opponents. One player described Metizport’s run as “an any-%speedrun complete disasterclass,” stressing how quickly momentum and preparation can unravel at LAN. 

GenOne’s Recovery & Djoko’s Leadership

GenOne started their run with a loss to Zero Tenacity, sending them to the lower bracket. They quickly responded by defeating MANA to stay alive in the event. 

Team veteran Thomas “Djoko” Pavoni spoke afterward about his role and the synergy he seeks with younger players like NBK-. He described balancing experience with leadership and adapting to a shorter preparation window. 

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Player & Coach Reactions

Gob b and BIG Academy

After their elimination, Fatih “gob b” Dayik expressed ambivalence. He was disappointed that they couldn’t close out Mirage, but proud of what his young squad showed given their limited preparation time. 

He also mentioned the emotional return to coaching after being benched previously, saying he missed the intensity and old-school LAN vibe. 

“We wanted to be competitive against these tier-two teams … we had ten days of practice … overall, pretty good result.” 

Chr1zN on Close Wins

Christoffer “Chr1zN” Storgaard, after a tight two-map win for OG, remarked:

“We get a little stressed sometimes when it gets too close … some rounds we didn’t connect well enough and it went to OT.” 

He also discussed mental strength under pressure and how his team tries to maintain composure when the difference is measured in clutch rounds. 

FlyQuest’s Clutch Identity

After their tight win over SINNERS, FlyQuest underscored their identity as a team that survives through close games and strong clutch plays. 

They credited mental resolve and ability to grind through tough maps as core to their advancement. 

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Emerging Themes & Tournament Outlook

Mental Fortitude & Momentum

A consistent thread: when games get tight, experience and calm execution often make the difference. Clutch rounds are defining moments in these matchups, and teams that hesitate or miscommunicate tend to fall short.

Youth vs Experience

Several teams lean younger and less tested (Basement Boys, FlyQuest), while others navigate roster turbulence (Nemiga, Metizport). The balance between raw talent and seasoned leadership is shaping trajectories at DraculaN.

Short Preparation Windows

Many teams admitted limited practice or lan exposure before the event. Coach gob b’s remark that they only had ten days to prepare, for instance, speaks to how thin the margin is at this level. 

VRS Implications

Because this event carries Visa Roster System points, every match—and particularly every map win—holds weight for a team’s future roster flexibility. Teams will want to leverage deep runs not just for prize money but roster freedom.

Key Upcoming Matches

As of the latest live page, the remaining quarterfinal matchups include:

• BASEMENT BOYS vs Nexus

• Passion UA vs Zero Tenacity

• Reason vs ECSTATIC

• SINNERS vs OG

Winners proceed in upper bracket; losers fall to lower bracket, where more elimination matches await. 

Also of note: Kvem led Passion UA’s victory over Zero Tenacity with a rating of 1.50 across the two-map series.