LIVE UPDATES: Frankfurt Major results, commentary and analysis (Groups A and B, day 1)

17:45 CET: Frankfurt Major results, Group B Winner Match: Evil Geniuses 2:1 Virtus.Pro

Evil Geniuses claimed First Blood in the first match and continued to dominate the early game, into the laning phase. EG then continued with what seemed to be a very clear game plan with early split push and stuck to it. They took Roshan around minute 23 after a favorable fight trading 4:0. However, a failed smoke at VP based resulted in a full five man wipe at minute 29 minute, allowing VP to gain an opening. The swing and shift in momentum and advantage had destroyed EG’s entire lead. Virtus.Pro then continued to be able to push forward and to find pick offs to further their advantage, seizing the victory.

Virtus.Pro chose a Huskar pick for the second game against Evil Geniuses, which did not work for them very well. The North American team was able to set out early in the game with the control and the lead, playing out their draft with perfect execution. Suma1L, UNiVeRsE and Arteezy had fantastic farm and incredible games.

In the deciding winner match game, Virtus.Pro picked up another Weaver for Ilya “Illidan” Pivcaev while Evil Geniuses gave Suma1L Timbersaw on the bottom lane, moving Arteezy on Tiny to the mid lane paired with Peter “PPD” Dager on Bane on the mid lane. While Suma1L did not have a great start, he was able to come back again, topping the net-worth chart and having a score of 15:4:10 by the end. Evil Geniuses seemed to really be confident in their draft and coordination, easily taking the game from Virtus.Pro with great team plays and execution.

• Frankfurt Major results: Evil Geniuses bested Virtus.Pro, 2:1, and are the first team to advance to the Upper Brackets in the main event. Virtus.Pro will compete in the Decider Match.(*No teams will be actually eliminated during the group stages; scroll down for the groups stages format.)

15:10 CET: Winners’ Matches are underway.

• Virtus.Pro vs. EG: EN stream, RU stream
• Vega Squadron vs. ViCi Gaming: EN stream, RU stream

14:10 CET: Frankfurt Major results, Groups A: Evil Geniuses 2:1 Fnatic

In the first game, Fnatic drew first blood, which would end up foreshadowing the control and focus that led them to victory. With Dominik “Black^” Reitmeier on Anti-Mage, a hero that often brings the Malaysian squad success, they were able to push hard and take the first victory in a confident and strong manner.

In the second game, Fnatic drafted their Tiny-Io combo and Evil Geniuses went with a Tidehunter and an Ember Spirit for Syed Sumail “Suma1L” Hassan. With Artour “Arteezy” Babaev, Suma1L and Saahil “UNiVeRsE” Arora all topping the net-worth chart, EG were able to take the game easily from Fnatic and push the third deciding game.

The last game of the series saw Suma1L on Timbersaw. Clinton “Fear” Loomis played an incredible Bane, with a 9:1:10 score, while UNiVeRsE managed a fantastic three-man crush* (video below) on his Sladar and a fantastic performance overall. In a completely dominant game, Evil Geniuses crushed the Malaysian-based squad with their individual and team-play skills.

• Frankfurt Major results: Evil Geniuses bested Fnatic, 2:1, and have advanced to the Winners’ Match. Fnatic will compete in the Elimination* Match. (*No teams will be actually eliminated during the group stages; scroll down for the groups stages format.)