The opening fixture of Group B proves to be a fairly one-sided affair. Rogue enter as favourites for the European Region and set about dominating a feisty ANOX side in two maps. The Russians get bogged down on King's Row, but muster a stronger performance on Lijiang Tower before eventually succumbing.

King's Row

Ukraine's kensi is out to impress from the start opening up with Hanzo as ANOX attack Objective A, killing TviQ's Mei immediately and connecting enough arrows to build two Dragon Strikes. Rogue eventually surrender the point, but send in aKm as Nano-boosted Reaper to bait out ANOX's ultimates. Just as the payload enters the streets phase Rogue step forward with Graviton advantage for an early team wipe. A post ult brawl in the streets swings in favour of ANOX and they gain quick territory, reaching the foundry with ample time to make the final push.

Sublime timing from Cypher sees him catch three with a Death Blossom from above just at the moment Rogue thought they had survived the Graviton from seconds before. The payload rolls right up to the checkpoint, but a TviQ Blizzard rebuffs ANOX. The Russians push again, but again are denied as things continue to ping pong until 15 seconds remain, but aKm's Nano Reaper lies in wait to dash the attackers hopes. Rogue hold after stalling wave after wave for over 3 minutes.

TviQ emulates kensi on attack, rolling with Hanzo and immediately picking the defenders Mei. The Swedish wunderkind continues to rain arrows uncontested, but it falls to that Boosted Reaper from aKm to once again crack ANOX open. Rogue have 4:30 to play with as they hit the streets phase, after an initial exchange TviQ, showing great patience, syncs up the Dragon Surge with winz as aKm mops up only to rush forward and gain purchase in the gantry above the checkpoint. ANOX are caught totally off guard when the Nano Blossom descends for the team kill. The menace of TviQ's Hanzo keeps them on their toes, but again it is Boosted aKm that deals the killing blow to the defence, allowing Rogue to make the distance.

Lijiang Tower

Looking to reset the series ANOX take it to KOTH, hoping to find some space for Cypher's Genji and kensi's Tracer to play. Initially the reality doesn't live up to expectations as aKm looks in control on his trademark McCree. The French cowboy's job is made so much easier as TviQ constantly finds support picks and chips away as Tracer, but a big Graviton Bomb combo from kensi and sharyk eventually arrives to collect and ANOX grab control and hold on to take the first round on Garden.

Control Center next and aKm can't quite make his mind up between Tracer, McCree and Reaper and the early engagements all go in favour of ANOX who rack up an commanding 80% lead before a Nano Blossom finally loosens their grip on the objective. Rubikon's Zenyetta looking really exposed in comparison to unKOE's Ana standing behind the big Rein shield of Reinforce. Despite have so much time and so many ultimates at their disposal, the fights that follow do not end well for ANOX. Aggresive use of Graviton and Pulse Bomb from TviQ stalls out the attack in the lobby. ANOX continue to hold their ults, but fail to execute when it matters and Rogue tie things up.

ANOX bounce back to take Night Market despite being 62% behind after the first fight. Cypher is getting more work done as Genji versus TviQ's Hanzo, eventually denying Rogue's last gasp push with a synchronized Graviton into Blade.

Back on Garden and TviQ is back on Tracer. The scrappy first fight is strong armed eventually by Rogue's tanks. The second fight is an ult-fest but as the pyrotechnics fizzle out it's aKm's McCree that starts filling up the kill feed. It's 99% to 0% as ANOX beef it on the point once again, Rogue still have three unused ultimates after the win to tie it up at 2:2 for the map.

Control Center is the decider and Rogue take an early capture. Feigning weakness they back out, baiting ANOX forward only for aKm to greet them with glowing Hellfire Shotguns for a boosted triple. The very next fight Rogue get wiped and the point flips at 50%. Cypher wastes a Blossom, but Rogue fail to capitalise, until the next fight when aKm show him exactly how to Nano, picking up another 3K.

ANOX try there damnedest to swing things back, but TviQ's hummingbird Tracer singlehandedly keeps the point in Rogue's control long enough to reach overtime; stalling, stalling, stalling for one last Nano-boosted Death Blossom from aKm… Ever get that feeling of déjà vu?

Over the series aKm's Reaper was the go to tool when Rogue needed to make some hostile gains. ANOX just couldn't deal with it. No frills Overwatch from the group favourites, who appear to be holding back on showing any new tech for the time being.