Gaming and sport were intertwined like never before during the final weekend of the International GSPORT League of Universities. From the 26th to the 28th of May, we have seen the birth of a new kind of athletes - gsporters - those who combine quick reflexes and strategic thinking in online games with physical condition and endurance in challenging sports disciplines.
GSPORT, a world-unique and revolutionary concept that combines gaming and sport has brought together universities across Europe. Teams from the Czech Republic, Finland and Slovakia qualified for the semi-finals. On Friday, the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University was the venue, where the teams played their first game of futsal and then faced each other in an online FIFA23 match, adding another dimension to the already exciting atmosphere.
Saturday brought a completely different dimension of racing. In the unique surroundings of the Home of AV in Voděrádky near Říčany, the university's gladiators clashed in the popular online game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and also measured their strength in the unique GSPORT obstacle course. The competitors faced disciplines that tested their physical fitness and precision aim. They tried their hand at shooting with a laser rifle, hand-to-hand combat, climbing, jumping over an obstacle and running through a cold stream. In total, the course had 23 stations.
Teams from Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, University of Pardubice, University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava and VŠB - Technical University Ostrava participated in the semi-final competition.
In Sunday's final, teams from the University of Pardubice and VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava faced each other. Both teams competed against each other in all semi-final disciplines (FIFA23, Futsal, CS:GO, and GSPORT obstacle course).
The battles resembled a battle of the titans, from which VŠB - Technical University of Ostrava came out as the winner in the end, taking away not only the title but also a prizepool of €1,000 and prizes from partners.
GSPORT is more than just a competition - it is a celebrity of active lifestyle and healthy competition. While the gaming part tests the participants' strategic thinking and quick reflexes, the sports part focuses on physical and mental fitness and endurance. Both these worlds are then linked by teamwork. This unique combination is what makes GSPORT so attractive and exciting.
The collective effort, enthusiasm and sports spirit shown by the teams has been an inspiration to all. The supporting programme perfectly complemented the whole sports weekend and gave participants and visitors the opportunity to test their playing and physical skills on their own.
Congratulations to the winners and we look forward to next season's International GSPORT University League.
If you also want to be a part of it, either as a player or a partner, please email us at esport@ftvs.cuni.cz.
Take a look at what the International GSPORT League final looked like:
