As kids, we all heard the same old story about how playing FIFA or PES on our Xbox or PlayStation was a waste of time, that it wouldn’t benefit us later in life, and that there were better things we could do.
Well, that has finally changed as esports will take a huge leap into the mainstream this summer. For the first time, the European Games – which is the Euro equivalent of the Olympic Games, featuring all the usual athletics, swimming, gymnastics and cycling events – will be held alongside an esports competition.
Athletes from across the continent will compete in eFootball 2023 – what PES has renamed – and Rocket League (that’s football with cars, if you haven’t seen it yet) at the International Congress Centre, Katowice from June 30 to July 2.
Organized by the European Olympic Committees, in partnership with the Global Esports Federation (imagine a much younger version of FIFA, without the corruption), the European Games Esports Championships will play host to some of the best esports players out there, as Yos ‘INDOMINATOR’ Sonneveld29, who is a professional eFootballer for Arsenal.
“I am so proud to represent the Netherlands, to be part of something so great,” says Sonneveled.
“It is really great that we will be in the same neighborhood as the best Dutch athletes from all major sports. It’s something I could never have imagined a few years ago when gaming was seen more as a hobby. Playing professionally, and now playing all over Europe, is really great.
“Getting the chance to win for your country, maybe hear your national anthem and watch the flag fly, to take part in eFootball is so exciting. I hope I have the qualities to win the game, I hope I have the sharpness.”
As well as fighting for his country, Sonneveled is still in contention for major honors at Arsenal this season away from the European Games.
“We all travel to a hub in Barcelona to play the games,” he explains. “There is a game company there that works with Konami. We fly every few weeks and play a weekend, it’s a great experience.
“Barcelona won the regular season, with Manchester United second and us third. But we still have knockouts to play this season, so hopefully Arsenal can still finish with a trophy this year.
“I’ve represented the Netherlands professionally before, in Istanbul at the World Cup, and I can’t wait to do it again.”
In the women’s game, players like 24-year-old Nollaig ‘Glitch8d’ O’Donnell, who represents the Republic of Ireland, have managed to grab attention on their streaming channels in the run-up to the Games.
“I am incredibly honored to be given this opportunity,” said O’Donnell. “It’s fantastic to be competitive, represent your country, meet all the others representing Ireland and be in a competitive space.
“It’s funny because most of my life I’ve followed my sister Rebecca O’Donnell who represented Ireland internationally in karate. She has won European and World titles. So to be on the other side now is great, she’s coming to see me. Gaming is definitely on the rise, and events like the EGE are helping to change everything.”
There is also great British interest. Cerith Dennis from Great Britain won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Esports Championships last summer.
“Being part of a multi-sport event is a new step for esports as a whole,” he said. “Esports has grown tremendously in recent years, but the next step was to become more mainstream. Events like the Commonwealth and then these are the next steps.
“I can’t really process it. That’s huge for esports as a whole and for me as an individual.
“It was crazy [on winning bronze], I went back to college the following year, September and random people walked up to me and said ‘congratulations on the bronze medals’. For this event I’m aiming for top four, at least top eight. Hopefully we can get a medal.”
That of Great Britain Emma ‘Emzii’ Rosewho won gold at the Commonwealth Esports Championships in the Women’s eFootball category is also aiming for glory.
“I am a Commonwealth Gold Medalist and now represent team GB at the European Games. I don’t know, can life get any better? It’s possible, I could win!” she said.
“My whole life just completely changed from a year ago and it’s phenomenal. It was such a ride.”
Rose is a trans woman and is grateful for the support she has received from the gaming community and the Global Esports Federation.
“Because I’m a competitor, we all want everyone I’ve met professionally to get along well. There’s no, “Oh, we don’t want you to get it right because you were born a man, you’re not a woman.” We all support each other. We are all behind each other. The opportunities I’ve had thanks to gaming are insane and I know a lot of other girls are in a similar position to me.
“I think I can be a role model in terms of someone being unapologetically themselves and standing up for what they believe in. I honestly can’t thank GEF and British eSports and everyone I’ve met on my journey enough for accepting me for me and letting me go and do what I want to do.
“That’s why I’m still here, why I’m still competing, to show more people and more girls and more LGBTQ communities and underrepresented communities that they’re welcome in gaming. Gaming is for everyone.”
The President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC), Spyros Capralos, has clearly also endorsed the event, highlighting the opportunities offered by esports.
“The Esports Championships are an extraordinary addition to the European Games line-up,” he said. “It underscores the forward-thinking vision of the diversity and inclusiveness of the sporting world and highlights the common ground they share in terms of commitment, strategy and the pursuit of excellence.
“We are excited to partner with the Global Esports Federation on the first of many planned initiatives.”
You can follow all the actions on the YouTube channel of Global Esports Federations.
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