Kick-off in the virtual clubhouse: eFootball is becoming increasingly popular - especially in Corona times

Football is not currently rolling on the lawn, but it is virtually on the consoles. eFootball is booming - especially in times of Corona. VfB Hallbergmoos will be there.

District - full of ranks, floodlights, tension on the edge of the field - and finally: the ball rolls! Goal area scenes, tackles, great tricks and goalkeeper parades are just as much a part of the game as diverse tactical marching routes and special tasks for the key players. Although gaming operations in "normal life" remain suspended, thousands of goals are scored every day - virtually on the consoles.

eSports increasingly popular

The fact is: The enthusiasm for "eSports" has been increasing steadily for several years and is increasingly coming into focus in the current social situation. Since the Bavarian Football Association (BFV) at the beginning of May 2018 not only became the first, but for a long time also the only, regional association to deal intensively with the development of the topic "eFootball", the website www.bfv was created within six months -esports.de as a virtual home with various forms of competition and even with talent screening days.

VfB Hallbergmoos sends team into the race

From the district of Freising, VfB Hallbergmoos is sending a team into the southern part of the "BFV eFootball League" on PlayStation 4 in the game "FIFA 20", from nearby VfR Garching and TSV Kronwinkl are fighting at the consoles for goals and Points. "The aim is to establish a Bavaria-wide league game operation for the clubs," revealed project manager Johannes Kanz in the BFV webinar held just a few days ago. The fixed date for the point games is Sunday evening, on which the results from two individual encounters are then added to form an overall result. "It is therefore sufficient if two players are active per team and match day," said Kanz, while the regular squad sizes for team reporting are to be specified with at least three and a maximum of five club members.

On the game day itself, the time spent playing at home or away remains the same, as there are no travel routes to the respective opponent - virtual gaming is easy from home. Even before the exit restrictions, some clubs upgraded the games of their eSports with live broadcasts in the club home or via the Internet, their own reporting in social networks and internal tournaments.

Own department not necessary

The common aspect does not have to be neglected under normal circumstances, even with eFootball, which has taken the wind out of the sails of many critics and also draws more and more "classic" football clubs to the still young BFV additional offer. "It is not necessary to set up a separate department in the association," emphasized Kanz. In addition, the initial costs for basic equipment are manageable if, for example, an "eSport corner" is to be installed in the clubhouse. The total price for a console (either PS4 or Xbox One), controllers, monitors with HDMI transmission and the game (FIFA 20 or PES 2020) as well as an online membership is in the middle to upper three-digit euro range. The BFV does not charge team registration fees or tournament entry fees.

News in the district

In order to stay fit in times of exit restrictions, Felix and Paul Ilberg came up with something: They shoot sports videos for YouTube.

You can always read the latest developments and news about the corona virus in Freising here.

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