Denmark, an unlikely eSports giant in Europe
Denmark, a small Nordic country with a population of less than six million, contributed three players to the final of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational between G2 Esports and Team Liquid on Sunday.
The three are Nicolaj "Jensen" Jensen (TL), Martin "Wunder" Hansen (G2) and most importantly, FMVP Rasmus "Caps" Winther (G2).
There are other well-known LOL players who are Danes such as Broxah from Fnatic, Zven from Team SoloMid (TSM). Some of the world's most famous mid laners, including "North American Faker" Søren "Bjergsen" Bjerg of TSM and "Anivia kid" Henrik "Froggen" Hansen of Golden Guardians are also from Denmark.
Danish passion for eSports reaches beyond LOL. OG who won the title at The International 2018, the annual Dota2 world championships, has a Danish captain Johan "N0tail" Sundstein. Thanks to N0tail's efforts, OG stepped out of the slump and moved back to the top in two months. Moreover, Andreas Nielsen " Cr1t-" from Evil Geniuses (EG) also comes from Denmark.
Players of Danish team Astralis celebrate after winning the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ESL Intel Extreme Masters 2019, March 3, 2019. /VCG Photo
If there is one eSports video game that Denmark absolutely dominates, it must be Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Danish team Astralis convincingly won the ESL Pro League Season 8 Finals in 2018, kickstarting their era in the game. Astralis reached the world's top ranking on April 23 last year and have stayed there since.
The team has a lot of fans including Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen who tweeted to congratulate the team for winning the championship at the DreamHack Masters Marseille 2018. He even visited the team and played CS:GO with the players after the victory.
Last month, Denmark's Ministry of Culture announced an eSports strategy that is aimed at improving grassroots and business opportunities. Minister Mette Bock said: "We must ensure a good framework for the sport. ESports is in fast-paced sporting and economic development, where Danish sportsmen are in the world elite."
It should be pointed out that Caps' father goes to every LOL International to support his son. Perhaps it is this way of treating video games – with understanding and bearing – that has facilitated the development of eSports in the country.