The Luxembourger Lena Rocca has been packing her bags for a week on the Indonesian island of Bali, where she is participating with the Grand Duchy team in the world championships of the International E-sports Federation (IESF), a sort of Games esports olympics. On the famous shooter “CS:GO”, the 23-year-old is the only player in the competition to be evaluated with the boys. “The difference is not in physical abilities, but in the ability to stay focused,” explains the one who is playing a tournament of this magnitude for the first time.

The master’s student in biology in Aachen, Germany, jumped at the chance when she learned that the Luxembourg E-sport Federation (LESF) was looking for players available for two weeks to an all-expenses-paid tournament in Bali. “I wondered if it was a joke, but I applied anyway,” explains the student from Itzig, who had only one course during this period.

Beaten by Wales and Ecuador, Luxembourg were prematurely eliminated from the competition. But on the Indonesian island, the Grand Ducal team was able to confront the professional world with training sessions, media days and matches against professional players. “It’s weird to play on a stage when you’re used to doing it in your room,” remarks Lena Rocca, who trains an average of 20 hours a week.

This great experience will perhaps bring more visibility to the players of the Grand Duchy. “I know girls who play” CS: GO “in Luxembourg, but not necessarily in competition”, admits the student.