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We are looking a swedish citizen who want to represent Sweden in the World Cup in Dota2, Tekken 7 and PES 2020!

The national team squad is going to represent Sweden at the 11th IESF World Championship in Seoul, Korea, December 11-15, 2019 with travel and accommodation paid.

Svenska Spel makes new investment in esports national team

Football, ice hockey, floorball, handball, bandy and now, esports. Svenska Spel is entering into a new three-year deal with the Swedish esports Federation (SESF). The agreement makes Svenska Spel the main sponsor of the SESF, who are now assured of the necessary resources for the future development of esports.  

Among other things, the new three-year main sponsor agreement makes it possible for Swedish esports teams to engage in more activities and to widen the scope of preparations for upcoming championships. 

“That Svenska Spel has chosen to become the SESF’s main sponsor, as they are for many other Swedish national associations, shows that esports is being normalised as a sport like any other. We are looking forward to building Sweden’s largest public sporting movement together with Svenska Spel,” says Magnus Jonsson, chairperson of the SESF and board member of the International esports Federation (IESF). 

“We see great potential in esports and in future we would like to offer odds on esports. The agreement with the SESF provides us with unique activation opportunities and chances to communicate with and offer relevant offers to a new target group. If we are also able to contribute to increasing interest in and the status of the esports national team, that is a positive,” says Joakim Mörnefält, communications director at Svenska Spel. 

Svenska Spel has previously applied to offer odds on esports and will be applying once again on the new gambling market that is expected to open in Sweden on 1 January 2019. Svenska Spel is already the main sponsor of the Swedish national associations for football, ice hockey, floorball, handball and bandy, and now esports will also become a partner.  

“It’s great to have Svenska Spel onboard as main sponsor of the SESF! Svenska Spel will take Swedish esports to the next level with their enormous dedication and great knowledge of Swedish sport. This collaboration is a giant step for the Swedish esports scene,” says Andreas Samuelsson, Team Director Fnatic CSGO. 

“It’s so cool that Svenska Spel, who are otherwise associated with their project Gräsroten and other sport, have now chosen to make themselves seen in an esports context,” says Kim Larsson, esports commentator and former professional player. 

Since 2011, the SESF has been a member of the International esports Federation, IESF. SESF is thereby Sweden’s voice within the IESF and arranges the annual qualifying tournament for the World Championships. This year, the World Championships are being held in Taiwan in November. Since 2015, the SESF has also been represented on the board of the IESF and since 2016 on the IESF’s players’ council. 

For further information, please contact: Magnus Jonsson, chairperson, Swedish esports Federation (SESF), +46 (0)704  333 120, magnus.jonsson@sesf.se Lotta Örtnäs, temp. PR for Svenska Spel, +46 (0)10 120 78 27, ​lotta.ortnas@svenskaspel.se 

 Svenska Spel is Sweden’s leading gaming company, offering a wide range of games of chance, sporting games and casino games, with well-known brands such as Triss, Lotto and Stryktipset. Based on a mandate from the Swedish government and the company’s core values, the vision is that gaming shall be for everyone’s enjoyment. This is achieved by offering good, responsible gaming experiences. Svenska Spel is also the country’s biggest sponsor of Swedish sport, at both elite level and grass-roots level. The Group also includes Casino Cosmopol, with Sweden’s four international casinos. The company has around 2,100 employees and its head office is in Visby. For more information, go to  www.svenskaspel.se  

Changing of the guard.

Vinzenz Koegler receiving a standing ovation.

2017 was a great year for Swiss e-Sports and for the Swiss Esports Federation “SESF”. The previous board managed to bring structure and expand its reach to the French part of Switzerland. The General Assembly was fantastic and almost all the motions put forth by its members were passed.

A new round of elections was held and one of the key changes was the expansion of the SESF board from 5 members to 7 members. The previous President (and IESF Board Member), Vinzenz Koegler, decided to step down after 5 years of serviceto SESF and received a standing ovation from everyone in the room. Continuity is key and last year's Vice President, Boris Mayencourt, was elected unopposed as the President of the SESF federation. Joining him on the board are Asif Hanafi, Cedric Schlosser, Jonas Eichelberger, Pascal Burri, Romain Bodinier and Yann Beaud.

The General Assembly also elected the Revision Board for 2018 and the members elected Cyril Dettwiler, Nicolas Meynet, and Tom Riat. Last but not least the Control Commission was also elected, these are the boys who will ensure everyone stays in line and they are Loris Caggiula, André Christen, Steve Metraux, Nicolas Meynet and Yohann Vila.

“It goes without saying, I’m truly excited to be working with some diverse and passionate people and I look forward to an even more productive year!” President of SESF, Boris Mayencourt.

With that said the board has committed to being more transparent in how it runs and will announce its priority topics later this month.

“We made some progress in terms of sponsorships and a growing member base so our plans for 2018 are ambitious and there is still a lot more to do and I’m confident we will be more successful than before” Treasurer of SESF Pascal Burri.

The Swiss e-Sports Federation will be expanding its footprint in 2018 by supporting the Swiss esports community and the entire board looks forward to it.

Online test match between SA and Switzerland: Tekken 7

Alasdair Donaldson.

On 5 July 2017, MSSA advised its membership that Alasdair Donaldson was selected as the Team Captain for the esports title of Tekken 7 and shall  represent South Africa's hopes and dreams at IeSF's 9th World Championships - Busan in November 2017.
Alasdair Donaldson will be able to get his first taste of international competition in official Protea livery on Saturday, 9 September 2017 at 17H00 to 17H45.

On Saturday, 9 September 2017. Alasdair Donaldson will face none other Mathieu Nguyen aka “KiraKira”.

Mathieu is the Swiss (SESF) representative in the discipline “Tekken 7” for the International e-Sports Federation’s 9^th e-Sports World championship, coming up November 8-12 in Busan (Korea).

At 24-years old Swiss-French Mathieu Nguyen aka “KiraKira”. KiraKira is on the roster of the well-known Swiss esports team “mYinsanity” and currently not only dominates the Swiss Tekken scene, but also scores respectable results in international competition.

Mathieu has finished in the top-8 in the European Qualifier of the Tekken World Tour 2017, and made the top-50 in EVO 2017.

As such, Mathieu is a worthy opponent for Alasdair in this exciting test match.

Test match schedule for SA vs Switzerland - 9 September 2017.

On 3 September 2017, Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) announced its team for the official online esports test match that is to take place on 9 September 2017.

The Swiss national team will take on the official South African National Protea Esports Team in an exciting test match which MSSA considers to be a vital step in MSSA's preparation of Team Esports South Africa for IeSF's 9th World Championships - BUSAN.

As loyal readers will note, MSSA has its own channel on TULUNTULU.

TULUNTULU is one of the largest mobile content platforms targeting audiences in Africa, and globally, with African focused content. The app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play and iOS App stores; usage is free (no subscriptions), 100% free on Wi-Fi - with data costs only if connected via a mobile network (the low data setting consumes +-50MB/hr.). The “FREE” business model is designed to maximize audience reach and engagement.

TULUNTULU continues to grow and is approaching 500,000 app installs.

MSSA shall be streaming the official test match on its channel.
The schedule for 9 September 2017 is as follows:

• Award Ceremony shall be from 12H00 till 13H00.
• League of Legends (Game 1) - 13H00 to 14H00
• League of Legends (Game 2) - 14H00 to 15H00
• Counter Strike GO (Game 1) - 15H00 to 16H00
• Counter Strike GO (Game 2) - 16H00 to 17H00
• Tekken 7 (Game 1 and 2) - 17H00 to 17H45

Only the League of Legends and CounterStrike: GO games shall be streamed live.

Should you wish to watch any of the above, please download the free TULUNTULU app, and enjoy the games on MSSA's channel.

MSSA announces its Protea CounterStrike: GO team to battle against Switzerland.

Marisa van der Westhuizen and Esmari Swart

Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) is ever mindful of ensuring that there is both transformation and development in every aspect of the games (periods) of which it is custodian.

Thus the selected national squads from which the national Protea teams are drafted now have gender equity.

As a result it only stands to reason that Protea teams selected such squad will further reflect the massive changes occurring within MSSA - and the country as a whole.

On 26 August 2017 MSSA reported that Switzerland (as represented by SESF) has challenged South Africa (as represented by MSSA) to an online test match for the esports of CounterStrike: GO, DotA 2, and Tekken 7.

The official IeSF test match is be played on 9 September 2017, and for the first time ever, females have been selected to represent South Africa in the national Protea team sees, for the first time, twice as many females included than ever before.

Such inclusion of both Esmari Swart and Marisa van der Westhuizen is largely due to the efforts of a conscious decision by the national federation to ensure that gender equity is achieved.

Only by consistently championing such causes will any real headway be made, and MSSA is committed to such. 

• Ryan van Schalkwyk (Captain)
• Esmari Swart (Vice-Captain)
• James Hulett
• Leander Van Schalkwyk
• Marisa van der Westhuizen

MSSA is convinced that the Protea Team will do South Africa proud when they play from Roedean School on 9 September 2017.

MSSA announces its Protea League of Legends team to battle against Switzerland.

Top (left to right): Brandon Fester (Captain), Simone Beck, Jade Klein
Bottom (left to right): Connor Cryans, Brett Whitehead

A number of dramatic changes have occurred  in 2017 in Mind Sports South Africa to make MSSA a better and more representative national federation..

Such changes include the election of Morizane Boyes as President, making her the first female to ever hold such office, as well as true gender equity being attained on MSSA's Management Board.

2017 too sees the National Squad for League of Legends also having gender equity. As a result it only stands to reason that Protea teams selected such squad will further reflect the massive changes occurring within MSSA - and the country as a whole.

Thus the League of Legends team selected to do battle against Switzerland (as represented by SESF) in an official IeSF test match on 9 September 2017 sees, for the first time, twice as many females included than ever before.

Such inclusion of both Simone Beck and Jade Klein is largely due to the efforts of Maryke Kennard who broke through many of the preconceived notions and was a valuable asset to both the 2015 and 2016 Protea Teams that participated in both Seoul and Jakarta.

The Protea team to play against Switzerland shall consist of the following players:

• Brandon Fester (Captain), 
• Simone Beck, 
• Jade Klein, 
• Connor Cryans, and 
• Brett Whitehead 

MSSA is convinced that the Protea Team will do South Africa proud as they play from MWEB's MCAVE on 9 September 2017.

Mind Sports South Africa receives a challenge from Tunisia.

On 28 August 2017 Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) reported that the Swiss e-Sports Federation (SESF), in preparation for IeSF's 9th World Championship, Busan, had challenged South Africa to an online test match.

The way in which the national teams get to practice against their peers is through IeSF's online test match system.

Shortly after MSSA received the challenge from SESF, a challenge was received from the Tunisian National Federation for esports.

MSSA is  always keen to compete against other African states. However, South Africa cannot be complacent about about Tunisia as the standard of play in Tunisia is very high indeed.

The date for the online test match is still under negotiation.

When final details have been confirmed, such shall be released.

Swiss e-Sports federation (SESF) throws down the gauntlet.

With International e-Sports Federation's (IeSF) 9th World Championship, Busan, fast approaching, member federations are taking their national teams out for a little practice.

The way in which  the national teams get to practice against their peers is through IeSF's online test match system.

Thus so it is that SESF has challenged South Africa (through SA's national federation - Mind Sports South Africa).

The online test match has been scheduled to be played on 9 September 2017 when MSSA shall also show off the team in its 2017 livery.

While final details are still to be confirmed, already there is a great deal of excitement in both camps as the teams ready themselves for an very interesting online test match.

The online test match will involve the players for the CounterStrike: GO, League of Legends, and Tekken 7 esports periods.

As more details become available, such shall be released.

Swiss e-Sports Federation: New Board Members

SeSF president: Mr Vinzenz Kögler 

On Saturday, March 18 2017, the Ordinary General Meeting of the Swiss e-Sports Federation has elected the following person into the Board:

-          Vinzenz Kögler, President, (as before)

-          Boris Mayencourt, Vice-President, (before: treasurer)

-          Cédric Schlosser, Treasurer, (new treasurer)

-          Yann Beaud, Board Member, (new board member)

-          Pascal Burri, Board Member, (new board member)

All positions on all organs of the SeSF were scheduled for re-elections during the 2017 General Assembly. 

In the weeks before the assembly, the Board has received several applications from members to run as candidates for position in the federation.

Of the current board, only Vinzenz Kögler and Boris Mayencourt decided to re-apply for a position on the board. Rafael Kink, Stephan Mäder and Tom Riat expressed their wish to no longer continue in their active position on the Board. Thus, making space for at least three fresh faces.

Vinzenz Kögler was successfully re-elected as President. 

Boris Mayencourt, who acted as Treasurer in the past term of office, was newly elected to the position of Vice-President. 

Cédric Schlosser from mYinsanity as Treasurer, 

Yann Beaud from PolyLAN and Pascal Burri from SILENTGAMING complete the new Board of the SeSF.

With the newly elected members of the Board, some of the largest and most influential organisations in Swiss e-Sports accept more responsibility. Considering their vast experience, the extensive personal networks and their energy, this new Board appears very promising in regards of the SeSF’s challenging aspirations.

The Revision Board and the Control Commission changed in a similar fashion. Continuing with some of the current members as well as new joiners. Nicolas Pidancet from the cantonal e-Sports Federation of Geneva and the Geneva Gaming Convention, and Cyril Dettwiler will remain in the Revision Board and will newly be reinforced by Nicolas Giller from the QWERTZ Café in Lausanne. 

The Control Commission will continue with Nguyen-Phuong Le aka. “Drez” and Marco Wettstein, who have both been already involved in this organ in the past months. Nicolas Pidancet will be representing the Revision Board on the Control Commission, Lukas Jakob from ArcticGaming and former SeSF Board member Tom Riat complete the commission. 

The weeks to come will be characterized mostly by hand-over and on-boarding of the new faces, SeSF is confident that new progress will soon be visible.

Further proof that eSports is now a sport!

Emil "HeatoN" Christensen - picture courtesy of wikimedia.org

Sources in the Swedish eSports Federation (SeSF) have just advised "eSports, and other games", that Emil"HeatoN" Christensen  (of Ninja's in Pyjamas - NiP - fame) will compete against ex-olympians and world champions in traditional sport in Sweden's Ninth season of the Masters Championship.

This year Ninja's in Pyjamas are currently one off the most successful CounterStrike: GO teams in the world.

Fans are delighted now to shape culture, which sees the news as a confirmation of e-sports as a "real" sport. 

Emil "HeatoN" Christensen will be competing against:

Helen Alfredsson, golf

Born in 1965 in Gothenburg and started playing golf at age eleven. As an amateur, she won SM 1981-84, 1986, 1988. Became professional in 1989 on the European Tour and came to the LPGA Tour in 1992. She won a major (the Kraft Nabisco Championship, 1993) and four LPGA titles. Helen Alfredsson represented Europe in the Solheim Cup eight times, which is the second most of all in the European team (1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2007 and 2009.

Jonas Bjorkman, tennis

Born in 1972 in Alvesta who turned professional ATP player in 1991 and until 54 November 2008 won double titles and six singles titles. At best he was ranked world number one in doubles and number four in the singles. Was considered to have one of the world's top server tours and volleys and well known for its own victory gesture: "Brussels stage."

Cissi Ferm, basketball

Born in 1975 in Stockholm who has played for elite clubs Nerike and Solna Vikings. She has played in both the Deaf and hearing the national team in basketball, has won six European Championships for the Deaf, the World Championships for the Deaf, an Olympic gold medal for the deaf, eight national championships for the hearing and U20 gold for the hearing. She was named the world's best dövidrottare in both 2001 and 2004.

Kjell Isaksson, pole vault

Born in 1948 in Stockholm, which competed for Sundbybergs IK and Österhaningen IF. Had the world record in the pole vault outdoors for a few months in 1972 and world record indoors in three installments from 1970 to 1972. Won ten SM rod, silver in there Championships in 1969 and two silver in the European Championships Indoor in 1970 and 1971. In addition to their athletic performance Kjell Isaksson became known to a wider audience when he was a successful participant in the SVT program "Superstars".

Janni Larsson, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Born in 1987 in Kristinehamn. At age 14 she moved to Jönköping and it was there that he began his Jiu-Jitsu training. Has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is the first world champion with the black belt from Sweden. When Brazilian Jui-Jitsu came to Sweden in 2007 began Janni immediately compete. In 2010 she moved to Denmark to improve their training facilities. She ended her career 2015.

Martin Lidberg, wrestling

Born in 1973 in Stockholm and competed in Greco-Roman wrestling. Took the European Championship in 2000 in the 85 kg class and European Championship gold in 2004 in the 96 kg class, World Championships 2003 in the 96-kg class and both the European and World Championship bronze in 1998. Finished his career in 2007.

Josefin Lillhage, swimming

Born in 1980 in Askim, outside Gothenburg and Väsby Simsällskap. She is one of the most successful swimmer of all time and was "resident" in the national team from 1995 to 2010, when she finished her career. Her biggest success came in freestyle and European Championship gold in the 200m when she defeated world number one Laure Manadou and was only two hundredths of the world record she counts as one of its highlights. In total she has 43 medals in international competitions, including individual World Championship gold, silver and bronze, and three European Championships.

Maria Rooth, ice hockey

Born in 1979 in Änge Holm and started playing ice hockey in Rogle BK's boys team. After high school she moved to Boston and played one season with the Assabet Valley Girls Club. In American college hockey, she was recruited to the University of Minnesota and played for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs and won the US college championships 2001-2003. Participated in the Swedish Olympic women's ice hockey national team 1998-2006 and took Olympic silver in 2006. In December 2014 - after finishing career in 2010 - she was elected as the first Swedish woman into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

Per-Olof "Posa" Serenius, ice racing

Born in 1948 in Hedemora Posa became world champion in ice racing on two occasions, 1995 and 2002. He is also the world champion teams (1985, 1995, 2002) and has participated in a total of 32 World Cup finals, where he, in addition to her two World Championship gold also three silver medals. Posa Serenius is the protagonist of the documentary film "Icy Riders" (2008).

Therese Sjögran, football

Born in 1977 in Lund and debuted in Veberöds A team (Division III) at age 14. 1997 enlisted Wä IF her and during the year the club went up in the Damallsvenskan. October 30 the same year she made her debut in the Swedish national team. 2000 wrote on Sjögran of Malmö FF, where she stayed until 2011, when she made a proffsår in the US (Sky Blue FC). She has the Swedish record in the number of international matches played - 210 pieces.

Therese Sjögran, football

Born in 1976 in Gothenburg, a midfielder with the number 8 in Elfsborg from 1994 to autumn 2015. 2001-2005 he played in Southampton. Played in the Swedish national team from 1999 to 2013 and, according to official statistics, Anders Svensson, the male player who played the most internationals - 148 pieces. He became a Swedish champion with Elfsborg in 2006 and 2012 and participated in the 2002 World Cup and 2006 and European Championship in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

- It will be really fun to be with, but most of all we prove that there is no doubt that e-sports is a sport and what we can do together, translated from what Christensen wrote on Facebook. (Det ska bli riktigt kul att vara med, men allra mest att vi alla bevisar att det inte är något snack om att e-sport är en sport och vad vi kan göra tillsammans).