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

13:55 CET: Frankfurt Major results, Group B: Vega Squadron 2:1 OG

Vega Squadron started out very aggressively in the first game with the first blood and three kills on the board before OG were able to register their first kill. The start was a blood bath with 12 kills in 12 minutes, 6 for each team. While Vega took the lead, OG were able easily take control with their strong Bristleback-Io combo. Vega’s lineup lacked the ability to address the Io and the hero was able to have great mobility and impact on the game. Johan “BigDaddy” Sundstein had a flawless game on Bristleback, with a 14:0:7 score. OG took the first victory in the series. Final battle, in the video below:

Vega dominated the second game, despite OG having drafted David “MoonMeander” Tan his infamous Furion. Pavel “9pashaebashu” Hvastunov had a flawless game on Luna (11:0:7), while BigDaddy had a difficult game on the midlane. Vega managed to end the game in 30 minutes, with a 24:6 score, pushing it out to a third game decider.

The third game saw Vladimir “No[o]ne” Minenko playing Death Prophet against BigDaddy’s Magnus on the midlane. The CIS team was able to outplay the European team with No[o]ne dominating his lane and Alexei “Solo” Berezin doing an amazing job all around the map. The only exception to Vega’s heroes all being at the top of the net-worth chart was Amer “Miracle-“ al-Barqawi’s Juggernaut. The game was heavily one-sided and Vega were able to take the victory.

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

13:45 CET: Frankfurt Major results, Group A: Virtus.Pro 2:0 Newbee

Virtus.Pro drew first blood and took a convincing first game from Newbee. The CIS team was able to keep Gyrocopter under control and, with a fistful of mangoes, Ilya “Lil” Ilyuk had an amazing game on Visage, with a score of 8:1:8.

In the second game, VP outdrafted and outlaned the Chinese team. They were able to take control from the start of the game and maintain it. The game seemed almost over at around 20 minutes in. However, a poor fight around minute 31 gave Newbee the opening they needed to prolong their survival and start building on the momentum. As the game progressed, Virtus.Pro seemed to start to lose focus, as they were having difficulties winning fights and taking objectives.

For another 30 minutes, Newbee held base and didn’t leave until about 60 minutes in. Continuous back and forth fights and pick-offs brought Newbee closer and closer to closing the gap. Small execution errors prolonged the game much longer than was anticipated. However, after 81 minutes, Virtus.Pro were finally able to claim the victory.

• Frankfurt Major results: Virtus.Pro swept through Newbee, 2:0, and have advanced in the Winners’ Match. Newbee will compete in the Elimination* Match. (*No teams will be actually eliminated during the group stages; scroll down for the groups stages format.)