Fans in procession from the esplanade of the François-Mitterrand Library (Paris 13) to the Accor Arena on the other side of the Seine (Paris 12). Shouts, chants, encouragement and drums accompany the delegation that leaves, good-natured. It is the Golden Hornets, the fans of the Vitality team, who give a voice to support their players in Major e-sports Counter-Strike: GO held in Paris-Bercy. “It’s really nice, we’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” Nicolas “SuperRoux” Gronier, president of the Golden Hornets, told Tech&Co.
And Nicolas Maurer, the boss of Team Vitality, to go in this direction: “For our players, it will be an incredible boost to have the energy of the fans. It also adds pressure, but it will create positive energy.” If in esports, the mind is paramount, with often unexpected turnarounds, you know the weight of an audience committed to the team’s cause. “I am sure that the players are looking forward to this popular support. in the moments (defining moments, editor’s note), it can be the small difference that is made at the level of the public in front of the opponent”, he adds.
A favorite status to defend
Nearly 12,000 fans flocked to the Accor Arena on Thursday to watch the top eight teams in the standings to reach the final table of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships, the official title of the most prestigious esports competition, in arguably the most prestigious competitive game of all. They will probably be there on Saturday to cheer on the last four of the race, including Vitality, the French representative and one of the Major favourites.
Because in Valve’s first-person shooter, the formation led by Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, the world’s best player in the game in 2019 and 2020, has been perfect so far. Undefeated exit from the Legends Stage -eliminatory phase for the 16 classified to the Major- as Team Heroic, then winner of the British Into The Breach without leaving a race along the way, know that they are waiting for them, even more so in front of their fans who have come in great number. Bercy will be buzzing in black and yellow, we wait until Sunday night, to cheer on the Hornets.
And for the players too, the atmosphere is essential. “I have been a professional for 11 years, it is the first time that there is a Major in France. The feeling is crazy. It’s just fun,” enthuses Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, Team Vitality captain.
High level sports preparation
Du kif, the team made up of two Frenchmen (ZywOo and apEX), two Danes (Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen and Emil “Magisk” Reif), as well as one Israeli (Lotan “Spinx” Giladi) hopes to take some. In any case, the squad and the players give each other all the means.
“We prepare them as elite athletes for such a competition,” explains Matthieu Péché, a former Olympic medalist in canoeing in Rio in 2016. He arrived almost four years ago to become the team’s general manager. counterattack and contributed all his sports experience. “You have to know how to listen to each individual, but also to the group. It’s a subtle mix of limits to set, rules to set and listen to. There, we have been together for 15 days, night and day. Sometimes it can be difficult for some. But they know it’s for their own good.”
If the five members were able to spend time with their loved ones after the quarterfinals on Friday, they quickly dove back into their bubble to prepare for the next match against Apeks, who beat Liquid on Friday (2-0). “We are totally focused on Major”, adds Matthieu Péché. Physical and mental preparation, the former professional athlete leaves nothing to chance. Even the opening night of the Vitality barge that will welcome the fans during the weekend will take place without them letting them concentrate.
“CS: GO is a bit American”
“Usually we let them play other video games in their spare time. There, they are prohibited from downloading other games on their computer other than counterattack. They have to go through everything, tactics, corners. It is one of the biggest competitions of their lives and the only one in a year”. And they all know they’re on a mission, too.
“The beginning was a bit complicated, we had a bit of stress. We want to get the title and we will do everything possible for it ”, points out apEX. “I also hope that this type of event will help esports to grow in France, because it is really amazing. We are behind other countries like the Scandinavian countries or Brazil.” And to encourage the public to flock to the Accord Arena: “Come on everyone! CS:GOIt’s a bit American. It is the show and the game in which there is more emotion ”
Because the chances of seeing a Major in France again with a French team may not be legion. Valve has decided to stop competing in Counter-Strike: GO. Starting next year, players will have to investigate the new version of the game announced a few months ago. Some have already been able to start taming “just a few hours” this Counter-Strike 2 that will be released in July. Some will continue the adventure, others will stop, but many will have to find new reflections. You might as well take advantage of the present moment to seize your opportunity
Source: BFM TV
