picture courtesy of PGL
Thunderbirds just couldn't get off the ground, as EG sweeped them 2-0, eliminating them from the Kiev Major.
Game One
In the first game of the series, Evil Geniuses had a rough start. However, with perseverance by Zai and SumaiL, they sealed the first victory in just over 40 minutes. Draftwise, Thunderbirds had what looked to be a higher tempo lineup, with a great push combo in the Luna and Death Prophet for Roman 'Resolut1on' Fominok and Aliwi 'w33' Omar respectively. EG, however, went with a greedier core lineup, with a Spectre, Abbadon, and Storm Spirit for Artour 'Arteezy' Babae, Saahil 'Universe' Arora, and Syed 'SumaiL' Sumail Hassan respectively.
Early on, Thunderbirds seemed to be in full control, Rasmus 'MiSeRy-' Filipsen’s rotations on his Bounty Hunter proving highly effective. Along with a free farming Resolut1on, and a heavily contested Arteezy, things looked grim for EG. At around nine minutes, however, EG finally got the fight they needed and some momentum -they picked up two kills for Arteezy, trading their own tier one tower in response. EG truly took back the momentum at around 12 minutes with a critical Smoke Screen from Zai as EG wrapped around the Thunderbirds lineup in the midlane, decimating their lineup. Despite his shaky start with two deaths in a row, SumaiL recovered brilliantly with the help of Ludwig 'Zai' Wåhlberg, and continued to make space for Arteezy. And as the game transitioned into its final stages, EG looked to be in prime position for the game one win.
In its final stages, the game continually went in EG’s favour. The North Americans simply played off their cooldowns, along with some ballsy initiations from SumaiL, and took apart the TB lineup. TB showed signs of life with two BKB reveals on Resolu1ton and w33, but it did little to stop the mobility of both Arteezy and SumaiL, Along with a pesky Zai, TB just couldn’t find the engagement they needed. MVP’s absolutely go to Zai and SumaiL; Zai’s great vision, and smoke screen plays, allowed SumaiL to recover, which the prodigy took great advantage of.
Game Two
In game two of the best-of-three series, EG dominated Thunderbirds, and sent the newly minted team home after outplaying them in all three lanes.
Thunderbirds picked up a first blood at the rune on an out of position Andreas 'Cr1t-' Nielsen, but that would be the only kill they secured for about 10 minutes, as EG dominated the laning stage. Despite their aggressive trilane with Martin 'Saksa' Sazdov, Misery, and Resolut1on, the trio could do little to stop the monstrous Universe Legion Commander backed up by Zai’s signature Io. With pressure on the safelane, the onus was on David 'MoonMeander' Tan’s Beastmaster and w33’s Puck to win their lanes. Unfortunately, each lost their lane handily.
In their death throes, Thunderbirds continually fell farther and farther behind, never really finding the engagement they needed to swing back. Hopes for a high ground defense and comeback were quashed with EG’s discipline, as the boys in blue backed off to regroup, catching out TB's desperation smoke and the victory in just under 30 minutes.
