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Here are the must-watch games for the first day of The International 7 (TI7)

The International 7: Exciting Group Stage Matches

The highly anticipated esports event, The International 7, is finally here and the excitement is palpable. Today, 20 matches will be played, each being a best of two series to determine seeding in the main event double elimination bracket. Placing well in the groups is crucial as it can provide a significant advantage in the upper bracket and secure a higher chance of winning the prize money.

Evil Geniuses vs TNC Pro Team

The group stage starts off with a match between Evil Geniuses and TNC Pro Team. This match is more of a test for the Filipino hopefuls than a significant concern for EG. History has shown that EG tends to struggle during the first day of a tournament, so even if they lose this series, it shouldn’t be a major setback.

OG vs Cloud9

Another match worth paying attention to is OG vs Cloud9. OG’s recent performances have been underwhelming, so it will be interesting to see if they have made any adjustments since their last LAN event. For Cloud9, this will be their first tournament since returning to the organization, and they will be eager to make a good first impression.

Newbee vs Invictus Gaming

A clash of Chinese titans, Newbee vs Invictus Gaming promises to entertain even those who are not avid followers of the scene. IG, in particular, will be fighting hard to secure an upper bracket slot, especially since they haven’t been winning much since their victory at the Dota Asia Championships earlier this year.

Cloud9 vs Newbee

Later today, Cloud9 and Newbee will face each other in a grudge match. These two teams previously met at ZOTAC Cup Masters, where the Chinese team emerged victorious over Cloud9. Expect an intense battle between these rivals.

TNC vs Fnatic

In a match scheduled for later tonight, TNC and Fnatic, two Southeast Asian teams with a history together, will compete against each other. If you enjoy action-packed games with high kill counts, this is one to watch.

EG vs Team Liquid

Two long-time rivals in the esports industry, EG and Team Liquid, will also play a best of two series tonight. Both teams have the potential to win the entire tournament, making this a must-watch match.

Don’t forget to catch the games on the official Twitch channels for The International. The first set of games start at 12pm ET.