twist Masterclass Keeps Alliance’s IEM Cologne Major Hopes Alive as Monte Reach DraculaN S6 Final

twist dominates as Alliance eliminate Passion UA in crucial Major race clash

Alliance delivered a statement victory at DraculaN Season 6, defeating Passion UA 2-0 in a decisive playoff match that could define the race for the IEM Cologne 2026 Major.

The series was completely controlled by Simon Eliasson, who produced a 1.82 rating performance, showcasing elite form in one of the highest-pressure matches of the event.

Alliance entered the match with momentum after eliminating Aurora earlier in the day — a result that already boosted their standing in the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). The win over Passion UA further strengthened their position, pushing them into the projected top 14 Major invite spots.

Passion UA’s Major chances collapse after devastating loss

For Passion UA, the defeat carries massive consequences.

Despite strong earlier performances in the tournament — including upset wins over FaZe and Eternal Fire — the loss to Alliance caused a sharp drop in VRS points. Reports indicate the team now sits outside the projected qualification cutoff, trailing teams like BESTIA.

This puts Passion UA in a near-elimination scenario ahead of the April 6 Major qualification deadline, where every result across global tournaments directly impacts invitations.

Monte secure grand final spot and strengthen Stage 2 Major push

On the other side of the bracket, Monte continued their impressive run by sweeping M80 2-0 to secure a place in the DraculaN Season 6 grand final.

Monte’s consistency throughout the event — with wins over Alliance, HAVU, and Passion UA — has significantly improved their VRS ranking. The team is now in a strong position to secure a direct Stage 2 invite for IEM Cologne.

Their performance also widens the gap against direct competitors like GamerLegion in the qualification race.

Road to the final: Alliance vs M80 decides last challenger

The tournament now sets up a decisive final day:

Alliance vs M80 – Consolidation Final (last chance for the grand final)

Monte vs TBD – Grand Final

Alliance still have a realistic path to both the DraculaN title and a Major qualification boost, but must overcome M80 in another high-stakes elimination match.

Related results shaping the CS2 Major race

Alliance eliminate Aurora in key upset

Alliance’s playoff run began with a crucial victory over Aurora — a team with a higher VRS ranking. This upset played a major role in keeping their Major hopes alive.

Passion UA previously stunned FaZe

Earlier in the tournament, Passion UA shocked FaZe Clan with a 2-1 win, powered by Senzu’s standout Dust2 performance (37 kills, 1.92 rating).

FaZe and Liquid Major hopes take a hit

FaZe were later eliminated by fnatic, while Team Liquid exited in 7th-8th place — leaving both teams dependent on external results for Major qualification.

Player and team insights ahead of Major cutoff

Passion UA coach Tiaan Coertzen ранее подчеркивал приоритет команды:

“The main thing is just making sure we qualify for the Major.”

At the same time, roster instability played a role in their season:

“We just had to act fast” — referring to transfer pressure around Grim.

Meanwhile, Liquid’s Roland Tomkowiak highlighted the physical toll of the schedule:

“We’re just not used to playing for such a long time… I felt gassed out.”

Why this matters for CS2 fans and the Major

DraculaN Season 6 has become one of the most important tournaments before the IEM Cologne Major cutoff, directly influencing:

Valve Regional Standings (VRS)

Direct invites vs play-in qualification

Final team rankings across regions

With only days remaining before the cutoff, every map — and performances like twist’s — can determine which teams make it to one of the biggest CS2 events of the year.