In mainstream sports the importance of fans cannot be underestimated. Loyal and dedicated supporters can, and are meant to inspire their heroes so they can give them great moments to revere. For the athletes having great fans can create the feeling on having an extra man (or woman) on the team when the going gets tough.

In electronic sports fans has traditionally been virtual – supporting their team and players through forum threads and comments on news pieces. These last couple of years has seen a surge in spectator friendly tournaments where the fans can transcend the
computerized aspect of the sport – to rally in flesh and blood behind their favorites.

At KODE5’s Global Final in Moscow the bar was raised from the get go. Virtus. Pro took on the world’s best team Fnatic – with the passionate support from roughly 1 000 Russian fans crammed together in the stands of the small venue.

“I’m not sure, Patrik “carn” Sättermon said when asked if he thought it affected the outcome of the match.

The crowd would clap their hands at each Virtus frag and cheer wildly with every round won. At times the noise level was high enough to rival that of a close basket ball game.
“I think that it affects us when they scream like that despite us being completely aware of their intentions, Sättermon said.

Their match was a tie – Fnatic had their boot on Virtus’ throat but a late surge saw the Russian’s decrease the Swedish lead round for round. It came down to the last round with Fnatic up 15-14. Virtus came out of Terrorist spawn swinging to knock down several opponents early on. High off the feedback from the audience they managed to tie.

MTW-manager Martin “Guddo” Cording recognizes the importance of having the fans in your corner when there is a live audience. His team (previously known as NoA) had it during the ESWC final against PGS (now known as MYM).

“It definitively helped us. It boosted our moral and spirit,” he said describing their incredible run for the ESWC title. Cording saw that very effect come into play for Virtus. Pro during Saturday’s big match.

“Yes, we saw the importance of crowd support when Virtus played Fnatic. It can add something extra to your game.”

However, the Danish manager will not make extra preparations if or when his players have to endure the Russian home field advantage.

“We play our own game – no matter what. We always have,” he said.

On Saturday afternoon team EG from the United States beat Fnatic in an intense match on de_inferno. The repercussions of that victory echoes to a moment in infamy at last year’s World Cyber Games in Seattle. eMazing Gaming, fielding three of today’s EG players faced Virtus.Pro late in the lower bracket.

The match went south – turning into a dirty smack talking contest as well as a referee’s nightmare as the map results was contested on several occasions. Reportedly Virtus has no love for their American opponents after that.

“I am not one of those guys that go around bitter about things in the past – thinking about revenge but I think that what happened at WCG last year was unfair and BS,” said Aleksey “LeX” Kolesnikov from Virtus. Pro.

The WCG backdrop only adds intensity to their match later on. Virtus can progress from group A by beating, or at least drawing with EG.

“All I want is a fair match this time, and to show – that in fair CS – we are the better team.”

Perhaps with a little help from their fans.

“A lot of people were disgusted with the WCG thing and they might shout extra as the match gets underway,” Kolesnikov said. “…But this is what’s great about sport – you go to a tournament in Russia the fans will cheer extra for the Russian team – that’s how it works.”

The American team on the other hand claims they are not deterred, and that they are not intimidated by the possibility of playing in front of a very hostile crowd in Moscow.

“We know the Russian crowd won’t like us – but it won’t affect us either. It will only motivate us more to win,” said Jordan “Nothing” Gilbert from team EG.

If Gilbert’s words really ring true than EG have adopted the same mindset that professional athletes have to have to avoid being derailed by the opposition’s fans. Despite it being an obvious advantage for whoever has home field advantage it is probably something that is here, in electronic sports, to stay.