Come with family or friends, Danish fans vibrated in an electric atmosphere for the victory Sunday of the local team "Heroic" against "Faze" in the autumn final of the Blast Premier, one of the most highlights of the year on Counter-Strike.

This competitive five-on-five shooter video game features a fairly simple storyline: one team must plant a bomb, while the other must stop it before the end of a two-minute round.

While in many countries esports is still in search of recognition, in Denmark video game tournaments are now part of mainstream culture and are regularly broadcast on television, just like anyone else. what a traditional sport.

It must be said that the sector here has benefited from the support of the authorities for several years.

In 2018, Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen caused a stir when he spoke on stage during the opening ceremony of the tournament.

Avant-garde

"At first, we saw esports as a geek thing, but now it's become cool to be a geek," Ditte, a 29-year-old Danish fan who started to take an interest in esports, told AFP. sector thanks to recent lockdowns.

Made up in the colors of her country, she gave voice to participate in the fiery atmosphere that reigned in the enclosure, while at the same time, the national football team faced France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. (2-1 loss).

According to Charlotte Kenny, managing director of Blast, the organizer of the event, this success can be explained because "the Danish community is very adept at new technologies in general".

“Compared to other countries, I think Denmark has been at the forefront in understanding what opportunities esports can provide,” she adds.

“There is a huge amount of interest from schools, universities or the government, who are looking at esports as a way to create jobs.

Esport-study

This approach has therefore created a favorable environment for the development of the high level, believes the player Casper Møller, alias "CadiaN".

"There's a really good ecosystem here that helps bring out new talent. And a lot of old players pass on their knowledge to young people."

"But above all, Denmark has brought esports into the school system so there are a lot of opportunities here," continues the 27-year-old veteran player.

The country indeed offers a system of "esport-study", allowing young Danes to participate in competitive leagues from college.

The two teams facing each other in the final of the Counter Strike tournament in Copenhagen are displayed on the giant screen of the Royal Arena on November 27, 2022. Camille BAS-WOHLERT AFP

Unlike many parents worried about seeing their children spend hours on their console or computer, Benjamin Knudsen, who came with his 13-year-old son Elias, believes that esports "is a good way for them to interact socially" .

“Okay they stay in their rooms but having interactions,” he says.

In any case, this competition offered a glimpse of what awaits French fans in May 2023, when the Accor Arena in Bercy will host the Major of Counter-Strike, one of the biggest meetings on the world esports calendar.

© 2022 AFP