Tonight Mortal Team Work, the team formerly known as NoA, announces that one of the biggest Danish superstars of recent years step down from the active line-up. Brian “hpx” Christensen will have to seek his fortunes elsewhere.

Rumors have been circulating the European 1.6 scene for some time with several sites reporting on the move as fact before it became official in the PM, European time.

According to mTw / NoA manager Martin “Guddo” Cording, Christensen did not put up the numbers he used to. Reportedly the Danish star lost the hunger to play enough to stay sharp.

“Brian acknowledged this but did not want to dedicate the time it would require. He has a full time job now as a janitor and values that over playing professionally – that does not coincide with the goals of the team,” Cording said. Christensen will remain in mTw but as an inactive member of the squad.

NoA finished second at ESWC last July and could repeat that performance at the controversial World Cyber Games in October. The Danish scene was relatively quiet during the month of January which is often referred to as the “silly season” but recent turmoil indicated that change was a'coming.

Last week “Woosai” split up and a day later “Gravitas” followed suit. The last breakup was particularly interesting as it meant that Jonas “whimp” Svendsen would become a free agent.

“The team grew tired of constantly performing inconsistently. Our different views of how to play the game made us grow apart as the only thing that really kept us together was the great support of the owners. We wanted to win something for them but I am sorry to say that we were unable to,” Svendsen said of his time in Gravitas.

“Whimp” was the first boy wonder of Danish Counter-Strike. He won ESWC as early as 2004 at the ripe age of 15 with “The Titans.” In recent years his team’s performances have been lower key with Svendsen still receiving favorable reviews by observers. According to Cording NoA / mTw have had their eye on Svendsen for some time.

“We have been speaking to Jonas for some time about this”, he said before adding that the initial contact was an offer to join the team as the sixth man.

When Christensen chose to step down he kicked the door wide open for Svendsen in the process. Svendsen, still only 19 years old, was eager to take the chance to play with the best in the land.

“They are among the best players in the world,” he said.

Christensen was considered a classic AWP-player. Svendsen prefer AK and Colt which is something mTw will have to adjust to tactically.

“Hopefully I can provide them with more tactical options as I am a pure rifle player. My motivation is also stronger than ever so hopefully I can help push us over the top this year,” Svendsen said.

mTw’s growing reputation as consistent second best team is obviously bothering Svendsen as much as it must plague the other players and their manager. They have all made a pledge to vanquish that label in 2008 with their first test coming very soon.

“We will compete at SEC at CeBit. At present we are working me into the tactics and we’ll boot camp for ten days prior to that tournament. We can use that time to work out the kinks in our arsenal,” Svendsen said.