The French Secours Populaire, in partnership with OGC Nice, organized a large PlayStation tournament last Wednesday at the Salon Passion at Stade du Ray. Around thirty young people, controllers in hand, therefore went to Stade du Ray. This was for the enjoyment of gaming and for a good cause as well. The participation fee of €10 was entirely donated to French Secours Populaire. A raffle including signed balls from OGC Nice players, tickets for Nice-Metz, and Konami video games helped to collect additional funds.
Enthusiasts of the cult game Pro Evolution Soccer 5 from Nice engaged in a fierce battle. There were 4 groups of 8 players, facing off in top matches at Stade du Ray: Juventus-Chelsea, Barcelona-AC Milan, Arsenal-Inter! Skillful dribbling by Kaka, a precise cross and a volley from Chevchenko scoring a goal! The excitement was akin to that experienced in a stadium. In this small game world, Benoît, also known as “Kaiser Soze” and president of NES (Nissa Evolution Soccer), is among the top French players. Indeed, there is a French championship whose final this year will take place at Stade de France. In a French ranking, somewhat similar to tennis’s ATP ranking, Benoît is in the 32nd position. He hopes to once again participate in the final at Stade de France on May 28, even though he’s already assured of going there with his partner Edouard, known as “Mozart,” for the doubles final.
Wednesday, Benoît was there to train: “I have a very important tournament on Monday for the qualification for the final in Paris.” Him, a supporter of Marseille, consistently chooses Juventus from Turin. The automatisms are there. With Benoît, Pavel Nedved regains his form, helping to continuously accelerate play and draw fouls from the opposition. Adrian Mutu becomes a Ronaldinho-esque left winger, and David Trezeguet is nearly as sharp as Thierry Henry. Three matches and three victories: 3-1, 6-0, and 2-0. “I was not in form. I lacked effectiveness,” he admits.
Edouard takes advantage of the occasion to hope for a partnership with OGC Nice. “The Montpellier Hérault of Louis Nicollin supports a Pro Evolution Soccer 5 club. The players wear Montpellier shirts. It’s very nice! It would be great if OGC Nice were the second French club to support a virtual football team. Just wearing the Gym’s shirts in tournaments,” suggests Edouard to Eric Roy, who seems interested in the proposal.
The tournament at Stade du Ray continues for the love of the game and for a good cause in a very fair-play atmosphere.
Websites:
– French Federation of Video Sports: https://www.sports-video.net/
– PES League: https://www.pesleague.com/
