Armin Veh's relegated side were given a cold shower as Christopher Nöthe's brace set the hosts on course before the break. The Bavarians could well have extended their lead early in the second period, but a quickfire double from Alex Meier hauled the visitors level before Karim Matmour broke Greuther hearts with a deflected winner at the death.
Bundesliga quality
Despite their starting line-up containing a luxury of top-division talent, Frankfurt struggled to acclimatise to their second-tier surroundings and following a relatively balanced opening, found themselves behind on 20 minutes as Nöthe (20') latched on to Olivier Occean's chested pass, racing into the box before turning his marker and sliding into the far corner.
Canadian striker Occean then demonstrated his aerial prowess by beating Marco Russ to a Stephan Schröck cross, only to see his header bounce narrowly wide. Soon afterwards Frankfurt began to exert some pressure at the other end, but Caio lofted over the bar following a misjudged foray by Greuther keeper Max Grün, who had to be alert to save at the feet of Alex Meier ten minutes later.
Nöthe double
Those chances proved to be a false dawn for Frankfurt, whose evening got doubly worse when goalkeeper Thomas Kessler came hurtling out for a high ball on the edge of the box. Under pressure from Occean, the former FC St. Pauli shot-stopper collided with defender Gordon Schildenfeld, gifting Nöthe (44') the opportunity to roll the loose ball into the net.
Far from emerging a fresh proposition, Frankfurt almost conceded another two within minutes of the restart. First Edgar Prib released a shot from the left of the box which smack against the post, before Occean came within inches of converting a low cross from the right. The lively Schröck also sent a good opportunity sailing over after collecting in space on the left.
Frankfurt fight back
As it transpired, the Bavarians would be made to pay dearly for those misses as Eintracht hit back twice within eight minutes. The first, a Meier volley from the edge of the box which Grün should have done better with, came out of nowhere, but the second seemed inevitable when it arrived. A dipping free-kick by Pirmin Schwegler was met by the huge leap of Meier, who netted his and Frankfurt's second with a glancing header in off the post.
The home side had chances to retake the lead in the aftermath but both Occean and Sararer each spurned good openings, making it all the more frustrating when substitute Matmour's low strike from the right of the box was deflected beyond Grün to seal victory for Frankfurt. A positive, if fortuitous start to the season for the title favourites - the return of an all-too-familiar problem for renowned 'nearly men' Fürth.
