EG Finishes Day One as Only Undefeated Team by Taking Down OG in TI11 Group Stage

The International 2022 (TI11) Group Stage has finally begun after a two day break following the conclusion of the Last Chance Qualifiers as the final twenty teams will be reduced to sixteen by the end of the Group Stage. However, before Day One of the group stage ended, the fans were treated to a classic matchup as heavy favorites to win TI11, OG faced off against Evil Geniuses.

While Game One ended up being an epic back and forth match, Game Two saw EG dominate the series as it went on to win 2-0 against OG. The North American team moves to the top of their group as a result of the win and remains the only undefeated team in the event.

EG vs OG: Match recap

Ever since The International 2018 (TI8), the rivalry between Evil Geniuses & OG has grown to the point where the community would describe it as a classic matchup.

Going into the series, both teams were at the top of Group A as they both defeated their first two rival teams in dominating fashion. However, many predicted the series to be a draw.

Game One

EG started off with a fairly stable draft, picking up Ursa, Leshrac & Razor as the main core lineup while OG went for a late-game draft as it featured Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf’s signature Timbersaw along with Void Spirit and Terrorblade.

While the laning phase was relatively quiet, the mid to late game saw all the action as the game went back and forth between both teams. However, Artour "Arteezy" Babaev’s Ursa hit his late-game potential as he clawed through OG’s heroes and gave his team the opportunity to end the game by sieging OG’s base.

Game One ended just after 52 minutes as Evil Geniuses claimed the first game of the series.

Game Two

Game Two saw OG gave its signature Invoker-Mars combo to Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov & ATF as it looks to draw the series, while EG on the other hand were riding on the momentum as it drafted Shadow Fiend and Broodmother as its core lineup.

The early game ended up being a disaster for OG, as Evil Geniuses fully dominated the map in the laning phase of the game. Despite Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev’s attempt to farm items for his late game potential on his Troll Warlord, EG’s aggression was too much for him and his team as they were forced to tap out after just over 24 minutes, giving EG its well deserved 2-0.

With the win over OG, Evil Geniuses will end Day One of the Group Stage at the top of Group A with an impressive 6-0 scoreline. OG meanwhile, will have to regroup as it looks to prepare for tomorrow’s matches.

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