Of all the players that shone at the CPL UK CS tournament none sparkled quite so bright as team9’s REAL. In just one event REAL (Sondre Svanevik) leapfrogged most of Europe’s and America’s top players to take the 2nd spot on Gotfrag’s GameSense world player rankings. Not bad for a player still too young to compete at the CPL World Championships.

Few players have ever become feared so quickly; a month ago REAL was another unknown amidst a tide of young Scandinavian talents, now comparisons are being made to Walle of last year. Walle was the only NiP player to achieve a positive frags to death ratio in the CPL UK final against team9. So how does he feel about the comparisons between himself and the feared ex-SpiXel sniper?

Yet if shocking the likes of NiP, SK.swe, Catch-Gamer and NoA was not enough, the following weekend team9 cemented their new elite status by going undefeated to win the Norwegian World Cyber Games finals. Now the 16 year old has the gaming world as his oyster, with a trip to Singapore in November to look forward to and what looks to be an intense WEG qualifier in Stockholm next weekend. These are busy days for the talented Norwegian.

How do you feel when you are compared to Walle and SpiXel of 2004?

Team9|REAL – Hehe, well, team9 has suddenly become a top team, that’s for sure. I have been performing well at the events lately, but it wouldn’t have happened without some great teammates.

How aware are you of the history of "team9" and does the name's legacy affect your attitude at all?

Team9|REAL - Well, the old team9 was one of the most successful team in history, with players like Luciano, Luchesse, quick and vesslan. Finally, we have improved to be a top-team as well. People have been shouting, "they aren’t the real team9" etc. It feels great to have achieved something under this name.

Team9 came from nowhere to dominate CPL UK, how did you prepare for that competition, and which teams do you usually practice against?

Team9|REAL - We practiced online since we didn’t have time for a boot camp. We are practicing Scandinavian top-teams like NoA, NiP, SK, Catch, astralis and some Russian online-teams ;)

How did team9 celebrate winning CPL UK and what did the victory mean to you ?

Team9|REAL - We went out at a restaurant (Fridays) with Catch-Gamer and had a great time. We had too leave for the airport the same day, so we weren't celebrating for more than a couple of hours. The victory was the breakthrough for team9, without this win we would still have been an unknown team. This win opens up a whole new world for us, it’s just amazing!

How are you going to spend the money you won from CPL UK?

Team9|REAL - Most likely I will save them for trips in the future.

The following week you defeated Catch-Gamer again at the Norwegian World Cyber Games, they must be pretty sick of team9 by now?

Team9|REAL - We are all good friends, there haven’t been many good teams in Norway, so we have all played a lot with/against each other. However it can be pretty hot in game, but we are not shouting bad words at each other, right after our game against each other we hang out together, they are all great people.

Will Team9 be practicing CS Source for the WCG finals?

Team9|REAL - Hehe, who are we going to play against? We will go trough the maps and make some tactics based on that, that’s everything we can do.

Given your recent success how viable is a career as a professional gamer to you?

Team9|REAL - Well, I won’t base my life on Counter-strike, that’s for sure, however, salary would have been great, so I could have enough money to survive!

If you were to receive an offer to join a major international team, say, 3D, SK, 4K, NoA, NiP with a paid salary, would you leave team9?

Team9|REAL - No way, I love to play with the guys in team9, I don’t play for the money, although it would have been great to get salary. I think we have one of the strongest line-ups in the world right now, and I want to achieve great things with these guys.

In Norway you are rarely short of top international players to look up to - bsl, DarK, elemeNt, Xeqtr etc - who is the best role model for you and how would you rate yourself against these players?

Team9|REAL - bsl has been the best role model, he has helped me alot. bsl, dark, element, xeqtr are all tactical players, so i guess I cant compare myself to them. But I guess I'm at the same level as them.

Could you give an account of an average day for you?

Team9|REAL - I wake up at 06.30-07.30. At 14.30-15.30 I finish my classes and am heading home. When I get home I usually go to the gym for an hour's training, and when I’m almost done, Jungelbobo calls me and wants me back home. At 18.00 we are starting to practice. We usually play in a couple of hours. After I'm done with practicing, I often watch a Seinfeld episode or something like that. When the clock is turning 24.00 I’m going too bed. If we aren’t practicing, I try to hang out with some friends and just having a great time.


What is your life like outside of gaming and how did you get into eSports?

Team9|REAL - Right now I don’t have so much spare time, there have been a lot of events to practice for, but I’m trying to do the best out of it. I’m attending High school/College (Don’t know what it is in America), my first year, after that I'm going to do something with economics, that’s the plan at least!

About 4 years ago, some friends of mine started playing Half-life. I didn’t know much about it, but I decided too give it a go. Since then I have played Half-life/CS almost every day.

Next week you compete at the WEG3 qualifiers in Stockholm, what position will you be satisfied with? Which teams do you most fear?

Team9|REAL - I’m satisfied with top 4 of course, there are ALOT of good teams there such as EYE, nip, noa etc... So top 4 is all that matters.

Catch-Gamer have already withdrawn from the competition due to social commitments, how will seven weeks in South-East Asia affect your life in Norway?

Team9|REAL - I might have to drop out of school or make a deal with the school, but I think it’s worth it. All the people at my school think it’s cool that I’m traveling so much too play counter-strike, so it’s all good. However, 7 weeks in Korea can do some crazy things too you, and it will put the team on trial as well. It’s not easy to live with the same people for 7 weeks and basically not be doing anything else other than playing.

How long have you been playing for team9, and how many international events have you attended?

Team9|REAL - I have been playing for team9 for half a year, the only international events I have attended are: Rixhack, Rendezvous, CPL UK and ESWC. So I’m kind of new at this.

As a rising star yourself what other players do you think the gaming community should keep an eye on in the future?

Team9|REAL - One of the best players i have played with/against is qck, who plays for Aftermath now. He is a really great guy, unbelievable that he doesn’t play in a top team in my opinion.

If could create your own CS *dream team", which five players (excluding those from team9) would you select?

Team9|REAL - everlast, chi, pizzadlux, Jungelbobo and executeR.

This is getting boring, tell us a joke?

Team9|REAL - STIAN, IKKE SPISE DATAMASKIN, GREIT?

quick fire questions:

When will you be old enough to compete at the CPL World Championships?

Team9|REAL - I’m 16 years old now, and I’m turning 17 in early June, so I guess I can play in the CPL finals already next year.

What most annoys you about Counter-Strike or the gaming community?

Team9|REAL - People who are negative all the time. People who always looks at the negative side of things.

What is the last book you read?

Team9|REAL - Why read when you can watch?

Last film you watched?

Team9|REAL - The Rock, what a classic.

Most memorable frag?

Team9|REAL - One of my many one shots with deagle at bsl.

What is the meaning of life

Team9|REAL - Get laid and get paid, something like that.

Favorite drink?

Team9|REAL - Farris

Best childhood memory?

Team9|REAL - When one of my friends hit me in the head with a hammer. That’s the weirdest memory at least. We were just hanging together, then he hit me with a hammer...I have no idea why

Favourite song?

Team9|REAL - Daniel Powter - Bad day and A-teens - Halfway round the world... mohaha

Any final shout outs/messages/etc?

Team9|REAL - I would like to thanks our sponsors: Sennheiser,Qpad and Team9 gaming center, and a big shoutout to all the friendly words from our fans out
there, ilu.