Vitality wrote the most beautiful page of its history in May 2023. On the stage of Bercy, the French structure won the Major de Paris, the equivalent of a Grand Slam tournament, on the game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. At its head, the captain and leader of the team, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, originally from Charmes. Already a winner in 2015, the captain is a little more legendary by writing a new page in the golden book of French electronic sport.
Antoine Bchini – Today at 07:06
On May 21, in the center of the Accor Arena in Bercy, the team of the French club Vitality lifted the Major de Paris trophy. In the lead, the Northerner Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut and especially the Vosges captain, Dan “apEX” Madesclaire. France had not won this tournament, the equivalent of a Grand Slam in tennis, since 2015 in Cluj (Romania). A consecration in front of more than 12,500 people. Professional for more than ten years on the game Counter-Strike : Global Offensive the Vosgien won his second Major, this time in front of his home crowd.
After a short vacation, and qualified for the final stages of the prestigious tournament in Cologne (Germany), a Masters 1000 by continuing the metaphor on tennis, the captain remains close to his native lands, and to Nancy. “My family, my girlfriend and a lot of friends are in Nancy, specifies Dan Madesclaire. I go back to Charmes from time to time too. Its important to me. It makes me feel good. »
Amateur football and FC Barcelona , the Vosgien did not remain insensitive to the setbacks of AS Nancy-Lorraine. “The downhill, the second downhill, the packages from other clubs… With a group of friends, we talk about it a lot. It’s been a long time since I went back to Marcel-Picot. My last match must date from 2016.
Dan “apEX” Madesclaire in front of the crowd in Rio. Photo Adela Sznajder
The captain
Counter-Strike : Global Offensive is a five-on-five tactical shooter with an attack and defense side. The rounds of 1 minute 50 and the nervousness of the action make it a game conducive to the expression of one’s emotions, especially on stage. “Too many things can happen in a short time, and give very strong emotions, positive or not. The mind plays a lot because we have very little time between each point. We allow ourselves five seconds to calm down, we discuss the plan to follow and we leave. “A game that requires concentration, matches can last between one hour, up to more than five hours for finals.
As a playmaker, the Vosgienl decides what to do at the start of the round, he directs the players and puts them in the best conditions. “I have four machines next to me, including ZywOo, twice the best player in the game in 2019 and 2020. It’s essential to tell myself that I give myself for my team, and that I have to find a way to use them in the best possible. The important thing is the trophy cabinet. Because even people who have watched the game for a long time don’t know how difficult it is to use its players perfectly. But I think we managed to do it, especially in Paris. And it’s very satisfying. »
The passion on and off the game
At 30, the Vosgien is more invested than ever. “I felt this passion all the more when I became captain. With this team, I can show my true self. I’ve always liked to shout, since my first tournaments at 18 years old. It’s the way I enjoy the scene. I like playing with the public, and I often tell my players that. I want to live these moments as strongly as possible, to vibrate as much as possible. I don’t need to be in the game to think about it. On the plane I redo the matches in my head to try to solve problems, before sleeping, I have an idea I write it down. »
He also talks about his former teammate, Cédric Guipouy, with whom he shared a lot of moments, especially around cars. “Having someone to talk to about other things is necessary. You have to exteriorize. With Cédric, we could do that, especially in the Covid period. We often took the car together to go to the Stade de France where Vitality’s premises are located. We were driving seven hours from the southwest. He’s an enthusiast. I’ve always liked cars but without going into details. He taught me a lot. »
For the moment, there is no question of thinking about post-career or retraining. “I’m going to give myself six months to a year to reflect, but for now I don’t want to rush into making this decision. “While Counter-Strike 2 should be released in the coming weeks, Dan Madesclaire, entered into the pantheon of Vitality for the club’s tenth anniversary, has not yet finished with the game and intends to add a few lines to his list.
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