The DFB is calling on the best German Rocket League players to take to the virtual pitch. The qualifier will decide who will compete in the FIFAe World Cup – we have all the information about the tournament and the eNational team.
Few eSports athletes are given the honor of representing their own nation internationally. The FIFAe World Cup in Rocket League now makes this possible for a few exceptional German pros. The goals: qualify at the DFB selection tournament on Saturday and then win the title. However, the competition is fierce, with the USA, France and Saudi Arabia among the other contenders. Whichever players ultimately represent Germany, they face a mammoth task.
The history of the “national team”
There have been a few international tournaments in Rocket League in the past. The Intel World Open took place during the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and the G2 Euro Cup was held alongside it. In both tournaments, the German team was an underdog. While they actually won the G2 Euro Cup from this position, they were knocked out in the group stage of the Intel World Open.
In the run-up to the FIFAe World Cup, experts are also giving Germany only an outside chance.
But, it shouldn’t be forgotten: it’s a different feeling to officially represent the eNational team. It adds a little more glory to the whole thing – and with that comes more pressure. Whether the DFB is legitimated to field a real eNational team in Rocket League eSport is irrelevant. It should inspire and motivate the German players in any case.
“La Grande Nation de l’esport” dominates Europe
Six teams were invited to determine who will be nominated on the virtual playing field from 5 p.m. in the morning. So, unlike in football, there will be no call from the national coach – probably also for lack of one – but a “classic” qualifier. This will be broadcast on the DFB’s Twitch channel.
Over the years, a few German e-athletes have made it into the professional scene – the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS). However, getting there and leaving your mark are two different things. On a continental level, this is a privilege that is increasingly being secured by the French. “La Grande Nation de l’esport” is the dominant force in Europe.
Unlike ‘Tox’, Riccardo ‘Rizex’ Mazzotta and Leonardo ‘Catalysm’ Christ Ramos have managed to do so. In the winter of 2022, then still with the Evil Geniuses, both went to the first post-corona Major in front of an audience in Los Angeles. They only came unstuck in the quarterfinals – the best result for a German team at an RLCS offline event. Mazzotta and Christ Ramos are still good for surprises time and again. This year, they didn’t get past the quarterfinals in the European RLCS.
Associated with top teams: ‘Rezears’
David ‘Rezears’ Wünsch also narrowly missed out on a Major in 2024. He and his team Resolve were regulars in the top 8 in Europe, but only made it to the semi-finals once. Combined with a ninth place in the last RLCS online event, this was not enough to qualify for the London Major. Nevertheless, ‘Rezears’ has made a name for himself in the scene. He has been repeatedly linked to top teams in recent times.
‘Tox’ & Co. – the big names in the DFB qualifier
Damian ‘Tox’ Schäfer is one of the few non-French players to have consistently performed at a high level over the last four years. Even though he has often just missed out on making it to the majors or the World Championship. Most recently, however, he managed to attract attention again with a second place in Europe.
Against these top players, national competitors will find it incredibly difficult to hold their own. In the end, however, as is so often the case, it will be the form on the day that determines who wins the DFB’s try-out tournament on October 12. And thus represents the German eNational team at the FIFAe World Cup in Rocket League.
