CEL Cup: Raulinaitis Dominates Doska as Neptunas wins cup opener in Style vs Rishon
- CEL Cup
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The CEL Cup officially opened the 2026 season with a Round of 64 matchup that perfectly illustrated the unforgiving nature and elite competitive standard of Europe’s premier NBA 2K knockout tournament.
Bringing together all Cyber Euroleague teams and gamers, competitors from the Cyber EuroCup and Cyber BCL, as well as wildcard invitees such as ESB gamers from Bulgaria and other invitational entrants, the CEL Cup once again proved to be the most inclusive and high-stakes event on the calendar. With every tie decided by a single-game elimination format, there is no room for warm-up games—every possession matters.
One of the standout fixtures of the opening round featured Justas Raulinaitis against Dimitar Dosev, a clash defined by experience versus raw competitive eSports talent.
Experience vs EAFC gamer
Controlling Neptunas Klaipeda, Raulinaitis entered the CEL Cup in strong form, sitting 3rd in EuroCup Group A at this stage of the season. Known for his structured gameplay and calm decision-making, the Cup opener represented an opportunity to immediately assert himself as a serious contender for the 2026 Eurocup title.
On the opposite side stood Doska, controlling Maccabi Rishon. While a complete newcomer to NBA 2K—having played only around five games prior to the match—Doska is widely recognized as one of Europe’s top EAFC/FIFA players. His inclusion in the CEL Cup underlined the tournament’s role as a gateway for elite esports talent across titles.
Match Report: Total Control from Start to Finish
From the opening tip-off, Raulinaitis imposed his rhythm on the game. Neptunas Klaipeda executed sharply on offense, combined with suffocating defense that left Maccabi Rishon with little room to operate.
Quarter-by-quarter scoring
Q1: 23–4
Q2: 20–6
Q3: 21–5
Q4: 19–14
The first quarter effectively set the tone. A 23–4 opening run gave Neptunas immediate control, and by halftime the gap was already insurmountable. Raulinaitis maintained discipline throughout the second half, ensuring there was no opening for a comeback.
The final score reflected the dominance on display:
Neptunas Klaipeda 83 – 29 Maccabi Rishon
It stood as one of the most decisive victories of the Round of 64 and an early statement in the CEL Cup.
Doska’s Honest Assessment
Despite the heavy defeat, Doska approached the moment with humor and perspective. During the game, he summed up the challenge of transitioning into NBA 2K at the highest level:
“If I knew the buttons better, I wouldn’t struggle that much.”
The comment captured the reality of the CEL Cup stage—mechanical mastery and familiarity with NBA 2K systems are crucial, especially in a do-or-die format. Still, Doska’s broader esports pedigree suggests this appearance may be just the beginning of his journey in the CEL ecosystem.
Immediate Consequences
The single-game knockout format left no ambiguity:
Justas Raulinaitis advances into the Top 32, keeping Neptunas Klaipeda firmly on course for a deep CEL Cup run.
Dimitar Dosev (Doska) is eliminated, his CEL Cup 2026 campaign ending in the opening round but gaining valuable top-level experience.
The CEL Cup Message for 2026
This Round of 64 encounter highlighted everything the CEL Cup stands for—elite preparation, ruthless efficiency, and the constant influx of new talent willing to test itself against established competitors.
As the tournament progresses toward the Top 32, performances like Raulinaitis’ will set the benchmark, while newcomers like Doska ensure the Cup remains dynamic, inclusive, and unpredictable.
The CEL Cup 2026 has only just begun—but the tone has already been set. 🏀🎮
