GRIP Nº11

N.º 11 | September 2014

Drom 1.5

Oliver Lang «Who has done more and won more than me?» interview

review

Paintfest scenario

Max Lundqvist interview

BASILDON millennium

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30-39 Gallery

42-5 Millennium

16-17 Profile

Basildon

Moritz Berndtson

24-29 Interview Max Lundqvist

18-21 Nederlandse P. League

6 Int

index 06–07 Team

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Editorial

16–17

Profile Moritz Berndtson

18–21

News

Competition Nederlandse Paintball League

14–15

24-29

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Highligth Tony Meister

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Oli

index

Interview Max Lundqvist

30-39 Gallery

40-55

Millennium Basildon

58-60

The New Legacy Zane KJ Mañasco

62-79

Interview Oliver Lang

90-94 Scenario Paintfest

57 m

96-100 Scenario Big Game 13

102-105 Review - DROM 1.5

62-79 terview

80-88 Miss GRIP

iver Lang

80-88

Miss GRIP

90-94

Scenario Paintfest

96-100

Scenario Big Game 13

102-105 Review DROM 1.5

106-109

Review MacDev Shift2 Barrel Kit Black

110-112 Review RM-1

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Thanks

110-112 Review - RM-1 index

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RITA PEREIRA GRIP Magazine’s Art Director. She works as a professional graphic designer.

PEDRO SIMÕES GRIP Magazine’s photography editor. He’s also an accredited photojournalist.

ANDRÉ FARIA The scenario man.

If we’re talking about camouflage, gun replicas and lots of fun, then that’s where he is.

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team

DANIEL TEIXEIRA GRIP Magazine’s kid.

He is the man in charge of our website and all bits and bytes.

ZANE KJ MAÑASCO If he is not shooting, he is pulling some serious magic on the computer. the Design madmen and genius together in a unique guy!

SIEGIE KELLY Who better to help out than one of the RSH designers? Any subject related to image, he’s your man!

HUGO BETTENCOURT If there is something new in our sport, he already know it. The news man!

RITA RISCADO Our «Irishwoman» translates and puts up with us and all our doubts. Without her, you simply wouldn’t understand us!

DUARTE GOMES The mechanic in charge. Very few understand paintball markers and accessories as well as he does.

ANDRÉ GOMES One of the “kids” of the team. Dominates the English language. and helps us translate a few thousand words per issue.

team

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Property of André Filipe Sobreira Garrido NIF: 227215290 Legal address: Rua General Taborda Nº3 - 1º 1070-137 Lisboa ERC Registration Nº 126231 Frequency: Quarterly

DIRECTOR EDITOR MARKETING ADVERTISEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

André Garrido (mail@grippaintball.com) André Garrido (mail@grippaintball.com) Carla Peixoto (carla.peixoto@grippaintball.com) GRIP - Photo Services

GRIP – Paintball Magazine or André Filipe Sobreira Garrido are not responsible for the content of the ads nor for the accuracy of the characteristics and features of the products and/or goods advertised. Their veracity and accordance with reality are fully and exclusively the responsibility of the advertisers and advertising agencies or companies.

IT IS STRICLY FORBIDEN TO COPY TEXTS AND IMAGES BY ALL MEANS advertisement

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editorial

By André Garrido Director GRIP

E

veryone works with goals! I don’t know anyone who doesn’t set a goal to achieve and become better and better. If you look at young players they want to kill more opponents than all the others in the field; that was just their first goal… to be better!

For us it’s no different! We want to better, not better than our «competition», because those we see as colleagues, but better than ourselves. And if we need to think of one unique player that is better than anyone else, you know the name: Oliver Lang.

It was the most difficult task we had since day one. Interview the person that is the most photographed, followed and interviewed player by everyone. What could we do that was different than the rest? We spent many hours reading all the interviews, watching videos and acquiring all the information we can get to give you what we consider the best live interview made to «Ollie».

If this interview wasn’t enough for you, you can still read what happened in Basildon with all the drops of rain and shy sun or in one of the newest European leagues – NPL. In the scenario section we passed by two amazing games and told our thoughts about them. I’m talking about Paintfest and SBG13.

This issue still has another awesome interview with Maxs Lundqvist, the nicest and most talented paintball player in the whole world and owner of one the coolest brands of our market – BunkerKings.

And as usual you can keep an eye on all the reviews of the novelties. This time we tested the RM-1, the new marker from Valken with a twist innovation; the new DROM 1.5 and the barrels from MacDev – Shift2.

And if you still want more just try to not fall in love for our Miss GRIP.

editorial

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Geo 3.5

Shaft 4 black For your old Shaft 4 barrel, Planet Eclipse released a new Shaft 4 black front tip that will increase the accuracy, efficiency and overall performances from the old one. It will only fit on old Shaft 4 back barrels.

Planet Eclipse had an early release with the new Geo 3.5. They have made upgrades on the bolt system make it softer on the paint, high air efficiency and an increased noise reduction and also adopted the GSL bolt release style. The new IV Cure bolt was also released for old Geo versions so you can increase the performance of any Geo.Â

DYE Boomstick

VIO Contour The new VIO Contour is coming soon with an extended version, this one will be more flexible and with a larger facemask for bigger chin protection. Some changes were also made to the current VIO line such as a new lock and strap system which can be upgraded on your old VIO.

The new Dye Glass Fiber Boomstick features eight different colors and two bore sizes (.688 and .684). The tip of the barrel was anodized with the matching color. Has an Autococker thread and its length is about 38.1 centimeters.

The back length was also optimized to 20.32 centimeters so it can reach high velocity before it reaches the front barrel.

GI Sportz Bags GI Sportz have released a new set of bags for your everyday use such as traveling going to your practice or competition fields. You have different sizes and shapes so you can chose what better suits you. They were all built to be lightweight, durable and practical.

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news

Art Chaos Art Chaos have a long history of playing in European events like Millennium and CPS and this year they decided to compete seriously on PSP. After some hard time in the fieds they have won the West Coast Open in Champions Division beating Edmonton Impact by seven to four.

Ninja Bottles Nowadays people stopped using bottle covers and most of the time they have their bottle out in the open. Because of this reason Ninja released new colorful 77 cubic inch, 4500 PSI super light, you can chose from lime, red and blue colors and they all come with the regulator you want.

Morph Fire With the new Morph Fire converter you can turn your ego or etek into a bb’s marker by adapting your barrel. You can hold it the same way you hold your marker, with the same bottle. The main difference is that you won’t need a loader usage since it comes with magazine. advertisement

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highligth

Hi everyone, I have 22 years ol d, play paintball fo r eight years and Meister. I’m prou I’m known as Ton dly Portuguese be y ing one of the few in Millennium wit re pr es enting my country h my team - Lisb on Benfica.

Last June I was di agnosed with Hodgk in’s lymphoma that that I have blood is the same saying cancer.

Despite the fear an d stress of this di sease and the six treatment that I to eight months of need to do I’m conf or m ed an d mentally focuse every day to retu d on fighting rn to my normal lif e.

I do not seek fam e or pity! This is my way of saying community that su thanks to all our pported me in the in it ia l moments, the mos to overcome. t difficult In the most difficu lt days all the pict ures of shaved he and all the gifts th ads, all the messa at some teams ga ges ve it to me and I took w to my chemothera it h me even py will give me th e st re ng th to co ntinue until the en until the recovery d, !

For now I live calm ly one day at time, training at the gym become flesh and , eating to not bone and watching all the paintball vi deos and webcasts that I can catch.

Soon I will be in a field stronger than ever because when someone takes out what we love and ambition we return with more will an d sturdier.

#WeAreAllTogeth #Linfoma2014

er #FightAgainstBl

oodCancer

highligth

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Moritz Berndts M

oritz, or Mo as all friends call him, is one of the captains of the sensation team of this season – Comin At Ya. He started playing 11 years ago and after three years he decided that the Millennium Series was the place he wanted to be; and since that day he has never missed one event.

If the Millennium wasn’t enough he still plays in many other countries such as France, Belgium, Czech, Switzerland and of course his hometown Germany.

After the second place in the overall ranking of SPL last year, it isn’t strange that Mo considers the promotion to CPL the highest moment of his career, only surpassed by the 4th place at Puget this year. If he has to point out another significant moment of his career it will be the events that he played for his country with his brother at his side.• Text: André Garrido

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profile

son

NICKNAME

STARTED PLAYING IN

EVENTS WON

Mo

2003

Millennium Series - Paris 2011

DATE OF BIRTH

PLAYS FOR

26-10-83

Offenburg Comin at Ya

BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PAINTBALL

OCCUPATION

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Promotion to CPL and 4th place in CPL

Plant Manager

All Millennium Series events since 2006

profile

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Nederlandse

Paintball League

Netherland is stepping up its game with their own European tournament.

GRIP has been there to cover all of it.

Text: Maikel van Maasacker

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competition

It all began eight years ago with someone who started playing paintball in the woods, a place where the roots of many paintballers lay. This particular paintballer had a vision of a competitive side of this beautiful sport in Netherland.

Something which seemed so far away.

After a few years of planning, meeting new people and personally growing in the sport he finally had enough knowledge to start his own tournament. Five years ago on this day he announced the first edition of the NPL, a small tournament with a few Dutch teams competing to be the best in Holland. Growing every year, not only in number of teams and his son stepping in the family business but also developing the tournament to a now European level. Five years later we have a two day, four events a year tournament with different divisions. I think we can

say that his vision is completed.

The paintballer that I am talking about is Perrie van Maasacker.

The NPL is an EPBF and Nederlandse Paintball Bond certified tournament, sponsored by Planet Eclipse, Anthrax, Paintball de Naaldhof and Paintball Supplies. Also every edition is covered by one of the best Media partners, RSHMedia. Existing out of two formats – M3 and M5 – and three different divisions – Amateur, Challengers and Pro – the NPL is the largest tournament in Holland. We

have 28 teams competing to be the best every year.

Not only did the tournament grew through the years, we have also seen a

NPL is EPB and NPB certified, sponsored by four brands and covered by RSH Media. lot of new teams training every weekend to compete. The NPL has always been a great learning environment for teams.

competition

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PRO

AMATEUR

1. Amsterdam Heat 2. Badboys Oss 3.Badboys Oss 2

1. Rejects 2. Old Bastards 3. Soultakers

CHALLENGERS

M3

1. Next Level Nijmegen 2. Wolfpack HD 3. Amsterdam Anarchy

1. PDN Factory 2. Proball Factory 1 3. Blackhawks

Proving to belong in the European top by not only having professional systems, Euro-Referee’s and everything a professional tournament needs, the NPL has also created top international level teams.

Examples are Amsterdam Heat and Badboys Oss competing on the Semi-Pro (SPL1) level at the Millennium Series.

Last week we had the last leg of the 5th edition. We have seen existing teams step

The NPL has always been a great learning environment for teams. up their game, new teams proving that they have talent and others stepping it up to the Semi-Pro level. •

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Lund

He probably has the biggest smile in and is the owner of the next Max Lundqvist lets us know

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interview

GRIP: We heard that you are almost as famous at golf as you are at paintball?

ML: Haaa not famous… but I try really hard. I practice probably much harder at golf than paintball. (Laughs)

Max

dqvist

n the whole paintball scene t cool brand in our industry. w what’s going on with him!

Text: André Garrido

GRIP: Now, more seriously. You were one of the main faces of the most famous team in Europe – Joy Stockholm. Why did the team break up?

ML: It was just too much time away from home. We played more than 15 events for a couple of years and we had to practice one or two weekends before most of the events so we were gone every weekend.

The sponsorships went down a little bit, the teams we were playing against were playing better and better and all those things together forced us to break the team up.

They’re strong enough reasons to not have so much fun anymore… And… Aaannnddd one or two bad reffing calls. (Laughs) GRIP: After many gossips and facebook fans pages asking for your return, Joy rejoined paintball in Sweden. Is this just for fun or will we see you in the Millennium with Joy next year?

ML: It’s just for fun. Unless we find a rich oil sheikh that can sponsor us and pay us for the training time to compensate for all the time we spend away from home, it’s going to be hard to do it. So no Joy coming back! If an oil sheikh is reading this: please try to contact me on facebook.

GRIP: Is the core of the team the same players from the past?

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«Joy is not coming back!»

ML: We have six out of the seven players that played in San Diego when we won the NPPL. It’s the core! It’s awesome!

events that year and the last event I won with team Comin At Ya in SPL in Paris and that really lit my fire again.

GRIP: In 2011 you took a sabbatical year.

Why? ML: I was very close to quitting paintball because of the two bad years with Joy that almost killed my pleasure of playing paintball. I only played two Millennium

GRIP: In 2012 you returned to play alongside Scorpion Milano. How did this invitation appear?

ML: That was one of the reasons I kept playing because at the Paris event they approached me, asking if I want to be their

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playing coach. That gave me the chance to come back to paintball and make it more as a profession and not something that I just do for fun. That definitely helped a lot on coming back to paintball.

GRIP: With all due respect for Scorpion, you are a CPL player… why not play in any of the CPL teams?

ML: Time! Time is the reason! With all the pro teams you have to take at least two weekends before each tournament and I don’t have that time any more. I have a son and got married one week before my son was born, so I don’t have enough time to do that. I need to make sure he grows up and becomes another Maximus of paintball. (Laughs) GRIP: More recently you revamped the brand Bunker Kings with some cool innovation products. Tell us about this project.

ML: My brother and I started in 1999 back in New York when I lived there with him and I have been making paintball products for HK Army and for some other brands in the last four years. So this summer my brother asked me if I want to start it up again with him. I thought about it for a couple of days and I realized what a great idea it was. I did not realize how much work it was going to be but it has been fantastic. Working until two o’clock in the morning for many, many, many nights in the past year. It has been tough but now that we see the results and the products are out there, it was all worth it. And the people that are employed, they

«Joy almost killed my pleasure of playing paintball.» should never complain about working too much… neeveeer!

GRIP: You designed a new type of harness, what is the big difference?

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ML: It’s a harness that is completely strapless. There have been packs completely strapless before but you always had to use two hands to load it up with pods, ours you can load and unload with one handed and one step action. After two years of research I have found a way to combine three different materials in the right away to make it possible to push the pod up into the main tunnels and stay there. It was so much work… and now that the product is ready I was super scared to release it. It has been released in Bitburg and it seems that the reception has been really good. I’m very excited!

GRIP: Any new product coming soon?

ML: Many! Many in the works. We just have to make the smart moves and come out with the right ones because in the beginning we have to be very smart with investments.

Hopefully we will have new releases for the World Cup in Florida, Millennium’s last event in Paris and World Cup Asia.

«Scorpion Milano gave me the chance to make paintball more like a profession.»

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interview

GRIP: If you have the opportunity to design the thing that will revolutionize paintball, what would it be?

ML: It would be the perfect training facility for paintball where people can train like any other sports. With super nice locker rooms, gyms… I guess they have one of these things in Russia but I would like to make it possible for teams to practice a lot without wasting all the money in the world and bring up Swedish paintball again… and my own paintball team. It would be very cool! •

ÂŤBunker Kings will have new releases for World Cup, Paris and World Cup Asia.Âť advertisement

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gallery

By Siegie Kelly

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basil

Basildon looks like it’s lost all of its power and g Nonetheless, the paintball we saw ther

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ldon

glamour. Even the shops won’t take gear to sell. re was the best we’ve seen in Europe.

Text: André Garrido

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There are events that are landmarks of the Millennium, and Basildon is without a doubt one of them. At the beginning of each season there are two spots that are always guaranteed, Bitburg and this event on the island.

The location is still in the famous Barleylands farm, about an hour from London. This farm provides one of the most idyllic sceneries that paintball has seen, where all around us fauna and flora thrive. All around, everything is literally green and alive; no wonder this is such a prime location for Europe’s biggest event.

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But if the United Kingdom was once the vanguard of European paintball, it seems that this has drastically changed, with players and major brands dragging this reputation through the mud. Compared to Bitburg, there are 25% less teams involved in this event only, which in the overall team count shows a 17% drop.

Worse than that is the fact that brands aren’t satisfied with their sales at this British event. The best example is how DYE did not take a single piece of equipment to have on sale. We should remind you that DYE left their UK offices in exchange for their German

headquarters. Yet this is not an isolated enough seating for all those attending the case, as this was repeated with some tournament. other brands.

Regarding the layout of the shops, it Yet this place, all controversy seems to us that things were better aside, is still one of the best this year. There was a central to play paintball in Europe. corridor leading from the fields Basildon There are small details that and the respective stands; provides one of stand out: the large camping the «forgotten» shops at the the most idyllic ground right outside of the end of this layout must have sceneries that event; the large parking lot certainly left this event with paintball has for all players and spectators; a loss. seen! all these make this event The field’s layout was the irreplaceable. same as last year’s, with the It was nice to see a good bar at the «minor» fields on the left and the more event this year, that besides the typical requested ones with stands for the public burgers, also sold healthier options for on the right. the more athletic players and provided We miss the stands with the rain

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covers that were commonly seen as the layout, very different from those we’ve seen this year. It was a fast and fluid English events, but these ones were format, with many great plays and simply bizarre: the stands beneath your bunkering chances all over the field. seat, where you would rest your Although it was mostly traditional legs against, instead of being made of normal metal, were with the snake and dorito SPL2 sides, there wasn’t a god of transparent acrylic, should change bunker that controlled all on allowing people to see the its name the field in this layout, which «dismembered» legs of the to French meant that highlights of the first rows walking around.

League event were seen coming from You can’t explain how strange and Co. all sides of the field, even down it was to see this at the time. the centre.

Although there wasn’t any Open Division 2 is still the division stereotypical English weather this time, where all the emotions are in the its threat was felt, as strong pelts of rain right place. It’s normal to see players were felt throughout the weekend. Yet stressing out here, as it’s usually the when the sun was out, you could really first time they’re walking onto a serious feel it bearing down on you, a pleasant tournament, or others that are there change for this event. just to have fun or overpower their Basildon gave us a very aggressive

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opponents. One thing is for sure, it’s in this division that you can see what our sport is all about: fun, adrenalin, and the hint of potential world class players.

In a four event series, the third event is usually the most decisive for many teams to go up a division or not. OD2, being the last division, doesn’t have this overbearing pressure as the division above has open entry as well and without any threat of relegation, all are playing for the fun of the sport.

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Nonetheless, there are some that still come to win, and, in the true OD2 spirit, it’s always a wild card that comes along and takes the trophy, making the overall rankings even more complicated to predict. First timers Sneaky Snorkels came to steal the show in Basildon, keeping this division’s tradition.

In second came Members who after a disastrous Bitburg event managed a fourth place overall, leaving them the chance to

dream of a podium place. In third, both in Lithuanian team – Diasporas.

Basildon and overall, were Insidious who It is important to note that there are on their last day didn’t let Pirate breathe, two Spanish teams in this division that, nailing them down with no points lost. although paintball is a small and weak Although the results weren’t in favour of sport in their nation, were battling as hard Whazzup and Slamdancers in Basildon, as any other to show their worth in the they still stand in first and second international scheme. Compared to their respectively in the overall. neighbouring country – Portugal – a In Open Division 1, we can nation that has all the potential DYE left start to see that some teams to become a powerhouse in their are taking the game a little international paintball, have UK offices and bit more seriously. Some only placed two teams in the did not take even too much! whole of Millennium. a single piece Although they started Poison Ivy are still of equipment the season with a disastrous lagging behind last year’s to have seventh place, Indecence performance, although we on sale. managed a first in Bitburg and could already see some good plays decided to do the same in Basildon to starting to happen. They are currently in show their determination to win in this 10th place, 34 points from ninth, which sport. This first place has guaranteed them makes it very unlikely that they will be the first place overall. In second place, rising in the rankings. We sincerely hope also for the second time, came Low Life that they don’t take this bad season as a who recovered quickly from their 13th in sign to quit.

Bitburg, staying only four points behind We would also like to highlight FL their second place overall. The third Charms’ performance in this event who, position in Basildon was given to the only after a 24th finish in Bitburg, managed

1 ON 1 1ON1 has been the highlight of the Millennium this year. After «Ollie» Lang’s and Kniazev’s victories, everyone was excited to know who would be taking this event’s trophy. The 64 places were reserved at lightning speed, with many players having to resort to a waiting list. After ten rounds, two Tontons – Frank Chambom and Kevin Coulm – fought for the trophy od the best player in Basildon. Victory smiled upon Kevin, who for a long time had been warning us he’d be taking it home. millennium

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to reach Poison Ivy with an eleventh team and the one with the best conditions finish. to take the trophy home. But we are This rise of the female teams is talking about paintball… when there are excellent, especially when they left eight thousands of paintballs flying around, male teams in their wake, who find it hard there aren’t any guaranteed victories. to lose against women.

What we can see though is that SPL2 should change its name their second place in England to French League and Co. 13 left them 28 points behind the The layout of the 25 teams are French! two teams that are currently was very So it doesn’t come as a sitting in second. aggressive, very surprise that a French team As we have said several different from was in the TOP3. RedBall won those we’ve seen times before, SPL1 is where their first place I Basildon and you can see the real level of this year. hit second place overall, with European paintball. Unlike SPL2, the same score as Vienna United. this division has one clear favourite In this division there are plenty of winner. If we had to bet all our life savings changes in the ranked positions of teams, on one team it would most definitely be but the point differences are very small.

Hulk Kiev who are blazing ahead in first, There isn’t a favourite team right from with 54 points on the second place. This the start, but Fighter Pro-Shar are without difference does allow for any doubt the most stable Amsterdam Heat to go

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ahead in the overall, however first place will be guaranteed for Hulk Kiev if they achieve anything above 13th place.

Apart from these powerhouses of SPL1, none of them won first place in this event.

In fact, first and third were taken by Ducks and Drammen Solid respectively. Second place in Basildon went to Hulk, who for the first time didn’t win the event.

Third place overall is held by MLKings who underperformed in Basildon, barely keeping themselves afloat. In Basildon they didn’t get any further than ninth.

Once again we want to praise a Spanish team – FiveStar – that fought long and hard to become not just a great team but a fearful name. Yet even with their heavyweight players (Nicky Cuba, Damian Ryan and Kevin Rudolph) they were unable to pass 14th, destroying an otherwise good season.

CPL is going crazy! On one hand we have the lack of competitiveness amongst the big sharks, and on the other the battle between Impact and Houston Heat has been scorching hot on the fields.

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First, the sharks. The current European middle of the table to fourth place overall.

Champions – Tontons – are far from what Another team that has been impressive is they used to be. Art Chaos are also Comin At Ya, who although their playing quality has slowly been deteriorating, have unrecognisable, currently residing the middle of the ranking. On the other hand shown a great level of game skills and Nexus, one of the few teams that has mentality. We must remind you that this been in CPL since the start, is running team has been in CPL for only one year the risk of being relegated. More and is currently in sixth. interestingly enough is the Two teams, non-Europeans, When there denominator for both of these haven’t been mentioned are thousands large upsets: the moves of yet and they have been of paintballs Tonton and Nexus players, playing like mad men, simply flying around, Axel Gaudin and Clint Moore, decimating all opponents. We there aren’t any to Art Chaos. are talking about Houston Heat guaranteed This confusion has made it and Impact. The first team is victories. possible for others to show their one in its rebuilding stages, coming true colours. And regarding this we from the US with the help of Ryan have no doubt that Polar Bears, even with Moorhead, Chad George, Ronnie Dizon and all their star players, have been the true Montressor, just to mention a few of their underdogs in this division, yet managing biggest stars. Impact,a mix of Canadian two podium places. We also have to and American players, have had the most mention Breakout Spa that went from the perfect game style we have seen in the

Nations Cup One of the most proud moments of any sport is having the chance to play for your own nation. In Basildon this was one of those moments where 16 teams of fiercely proud players played each other to win the biggest trophy of the World in our sport.

Unfortunately the Millennium is organised around the teams and not the nations, and many players refuse to participate in this cup so they don’t harm their team’s standing. This playing interest isn’t shared by much of the crowd who see this title as a secondary one at best.

The big winners this year were the French who were practically running unopposed, even in their final against Russia, the former champions. In third place came Germany and fourth Great Britain.

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past seasons. Their roster is insane with players like Dave Bains, Justin Cornell and Justin Rabackoff shining in each point straight out of the break.

The battle for first place has become progressively more complicated with Houston Heat not going to the final in Bitburg, only managing a fourth place.

In Basildon they had to guarantee a first

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place to take the spotlight off Impact but unfortunately they caught these bitter rivals in the semi-finals and suffered a tough defeat of 5:2.

Polar Bears were present in the other semi-final after a tough game against Syndicate, which finished at 3:2. As we predicted in the previous edition, Polar Bears were closer to winning a final than

they imagined. on a team, it would be them for first Yet this was not their event, as they place. didn’t have the mettle needed to beat Paris is almost here, with its Impact in the final. magnificent Chantilly castles.

Impact has therefore won their Disney is still remembered with third first place of this season. nostalgia, and as we said last It is We have seen disasters year, this exchange isn’t great practically happen… you just have to but it’ll do. impossible for look as far back as Dynasty’s Everything will be at Impact to not lost championship two years become European stake in the French capital ago. But it is practically and all teams will give their champions. impossible for Impact to not hardest there. This is the event become European champions. The that is considered the pinnacle of 60 point advantage they have on every European paintball, where all will go team is enough for them to not have to to play or simply watch the cream of the worry if they get anything above eighth. crop battle against each other.

If we still had some more money to bet The curtain’s up, it’s showtime! • advertisement

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we are just getting started

By Zane KJ Mañasco

When we started this journey we had tournament. So this time we will talk three goals: establish a team based on about the importance of preparation for mutual respect and the desire to become any event. In summer the heat makes it better, test our limits and finally play hard to maintain a good training discipline a full season as brothers. As for these so coming into World Cup and the end of results we can safely say this season has the season it was important to really push been a success so far. For Harca Gandia a the guys to get back into the grind. win is always the most important aspect, Always establish good communication but one based on hard work, never on the with your players, telling people what to idea that we «should» win. So this year do does not always work, but if they want has also shown us our limits and where to do it themselves then you have done we need to push.

With hard work and the right people Throughout the season it has been important to establish around you, anything is possible. relationships within and outside the team because as a new family we your job properly. Preparation is key so depend on each other. We appreciate the when considering training it’s important help from all the teams that have given to structure it as close to a game situation their time to us, especially Indecence. It as possible. Make sure your positions are is these relationships which have made set and that the training is centred on real this season so great for everyone on game situations; this will give you the best the team. As we look back we can see idea of where your team is at. that there is still a great road ahead to In Harca we are constantly evaluating travel. each player and also the field. This team We started this series of articles to was formed by players that want to help any team out there that was trying grow and get better so each point is an to get to Millennium or any other major opportunity to see what works and what

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does not. Always remember that you do not win tournaments in training, making mistakes is good as this will give you a chance to improve.

In every event we have been humbled by every player that has given us advice, in this sport you never stop learning and it’s important to remember that. For us it has also been invaluable to have the support of Empire and Emboscada, they have always made sure we have the right mentality and the best tools. This is the second most important aspect for

any team wanting to make their mark in the Millennium Series. Without the experience and support of a good sponsor it’s almost impossible to really progress in your first year.

As we look back over the last three events, we also look ahead. Each leg of the series has taught us something different, but as a whole we realise that we started the season as hungry as we are finishing it. The off-season is our time to really iron out mistakes and issues. As most teams we have

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realized that the level in all divisions that you don’t need special help or pro’s has improved, there are no easy games. to make you get results. With hard work This has been the best lesson for our and the right people around you anything team because every win or loss is a step is possible. forward.

So this article is our final preparation Thinking about each game is the last for the end of the season. We appreciate important aspect of this If they want to do it themselves then season. As we prepare for World Cup in Chantilly and you have done your job properly. also World Cup in Orlando we prepare for every single point. When we everyone who has helped us along the began this series of articles it was to offer way. Harca Gandia is more than just a a look into the work behind establishing group of guys, it’s about the dream of a new team and the issues that go with leaving a mark in this sport. it. We have been lucky to make Sunday Club every single event this season and The road is long, but we love the we hope that any team out there can see ride!•

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Oliver Lang

You can love or hate him but one thing is certain, all records show that he is really the best player in the World. Do you want to know why?

Read this!

Text: AndrĂŠ Garrido

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GRIP: You are a paintball player, owner of a restaurant and travel the world teaching paintball. What is your «real» profession?

Oliver Lang: I recently found this… I just believe I’m a life artist, you know, an artist of life. There is a German word for this called Lebenskünstler, my mom showed me that.

I think this is all just progress and one day I just want to be a great father and great husband. Until then it’s all just progress.

GRIP: When you were young you were in the skate scene. How do you remember those days?

OL: I remember being very similar to paintball. Skateboarding obviously way surpasses paintball in the lifestyle and a lot of people are doing it… big industries and big sponsorships. I see paintball very «I similarly to how skateboarding used to be. We are very tight, kind of a grass roots sport and I kind of like that. I like being the little bit of famous that I’m here and I don’t know if I want to be that famous in the real world like some of these other athletes. I like to get into the nooks and crannies when I travel… and you try to do that when you are famous!

GRIP: Do you think that it will be possible for paintball achieve the same level that skate has nowadays?

OL: Yes, I do! I think it’s very possible! I think all the pro players that are playing now, will retire and say: «screw the industry, we’re taking over and doing it ourselves», with good hearted people that know the sport, know how to referee, know

how to run leagues. Right now, we are too busy playing and we all love it so much just playing, but I know for a fact if we all stop, we can get it to that level. And that is probably going to be the next step for Oliver one day, stopping and figuring out how to start a players union, do proper leagues and represent the players a little bit.

GRIP: How were your skills at skateboard?

OL: They were of an amateur (Laughs)! I was very young and small so I was kind of limited and the skateboards were big. Imagine a 14 year old pro paintball player, it’s a little difficult, he is limited, he is very small.

Maybe he’s fast but the gun is big, they can’t play certain bunkers. It’s the same thing.

don’t get paid anything, I have to go make money!»

GRIP: In many interviews you say that nowadays you are not a professional player. What does this mean?

OL: That means I can be better! If my life was to be paid to play, paid to train, do certain exercises like a real professional athlete… If you look at all those professional athletes, it’s a whole different story. We have got to work, we have got to grind, we have got to take our little bit of vacation when we can, when we have it; then squeezing paintball and squeezing practices and it’s all about making lots of sacrifices.

It’s not easy by any mean! Everybody who plays at a pro level apart from a few guys that are paid a good amount knows this, most of us don’t get paid very much… or

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be better if I drill five days a week, have one day off and play a tournament, I would be a heck of a lot better.

In other sports, the real pros have coaches that really understand the sport. They have the offense coaches, defensive coaches, they have exercise coaches and every type of coach you could imagine. They will make you perform better.

Everything is done for you, you just need to go out there and make it happen. For us, we’re scrambling to do everything, we are the player, coach, owner, partner, friend and roommate. It’s tough!

GRIP: You left college to play paintball…

OL: Hummm! I didn’t go to college (Laughs)!

We went to a few classes. We tried to pretend that we were going to college, that was when paintball was kicking in the gear by 2002, 2003.

anything! I don’t get paid anything, I have to go make money! I have to train hard to win that tournaments to get that little bit of cash. It would be a different story if everybody was getting paid hundreds of millions of dollars and then our life would be dedicated to the sport. I know that if I could

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GRIP: But it was a daring move… probably your mother wants you to continue.

OL: My mother was interested in just whatever I was happy, that was nice! I graduated high school and followed the paintball dream. We tried to do school.

It wasn’t like: «Let’s do school and try paintball»; it was: «Let’s do paintball and try school». The interesting thing is that the older I get the more I want to learn things so now it’s time to going back to school and take whatever it is that interest me! You’re never done learning! I think you need to travel the world, figure out who you are and what you are doing and then figure out what you want to learn and what you want to put

your heart into… make that your profession.

Hopefully it is something that you enjoy!

GRIP: How many sacrifices did you make for paintball?

OL: I’m not going to say that I sacrificed anything but I had to dedicate quite a lot of time to master paintball. I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice because I enjoyed every minute of it but I definitely did sacrifices, maybe not doing other things that I would like to have done like learning an instrument or learning another language…. Which I still can! Now I understand what it takes to become good at something!

GRIP: You’re 31 years, and have played

for 17. On the 1 ON 1 you played with Rubben, a 14 year old kid who beat two pros and won the first point against you.

Isn’t it weird to play against kids that are younger than the years you have played?

OL: Yeah, that’s interesting to think that when I was winning tournaments he was

«I’m pretty disappointed with Art Chaos.» just a baby! That is how life is and that’s the progression of it. You got to love that, you got to love kids like that, because I was that kid. We were all that kid. If Rubben sticks with it he can become a pro and he can be the one in my shoes and I can be

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45 and still shooting Rubben (Laughs).

GRIP: If you could go back 17 years to that day where the little Oliver played his first game. What would you tell him?

OL: I would say: «You are in for a wild ride, my friend! Stick with it! Work harder!». I would have told him: «Work harder!»

the heavyweight just knocks him out. That is kind of what it’s like. You watch players in different teams, with different looks and they really do things they shouldn’t do, it doesn’t work, it looks like they are doing everything right… (Laughs) but really they are doing everything wrong. And then they go on to play on a smarter team where they slowed down and became more controlled, with thought-out games…

GRIP: You have seen many changes in our sport: 10Men, 7Men and more recently X-Ball. How did you adapt your game to so GRIP: Don’t you think it’s more boring for many changes during the years? the audience?

OL: If you want to stay at the top of your OL: I do and don’t! The thing is that people game you just have to keep adapting. I need to understand the game. I think that watched older players on IronMen not the last field (Bitburg) might be boring to evolve to play 7Man, not evolve to play watch but you were watching very strategic XBall. Luckily I was in my «I told them like a man: “Guys, I’ve been youth and I could evolve. offered to go play on Ironmen and I’m The difference is just to stick with it, whatever they going take it!” I broke their hearts!» throw at you, say: «Ok, fine!

I’m ready to play it!». You can disagree with paintball minds play the proper tactics to some of the evolutionary moves but it’s still win the game. It just like going into war, evolution. you don’t want to throw your guys out there with machines guns not knowing GRIP: Nowadays XBall is experiencing a anything, you got to have a tactic and new tactical wave. The first days were understand how you are going beat them, super-fast and aggressive and now are which way are they going to come, what much more defensive… we’re going to do, what we are not going OL: I would think it goes more like this: two to do. If you watch an interesting match, heavyweights going into the boxing ring. it’s like watching chess, it might not be the You will not see a knock out. You’re going most exciting thing ever since there is a to see 12 rounds and then they go to a lot of strategic moves that are happening. decision but then if you see a featherweight If you do understand the game, you know fight a heavyweight you will see the what is going on, it’s interesting to watch. featherweight coming up with a bunch of Finally, it was good for teams to learn how jabs, trying to make everything happen and to play like teams.

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GRIP: After some glorious years winning there, I made some money, got a house and a everything that you could win, you car. It was wonderful for me! I learned some valuable lessons from that whole experience unexpectedly left for Ironmen. Eight years and now I’m back and it’s just about the love have passed, do you think it was the right choice? for each other, that’s why we do it!

OL: Yeah! It was absolutely the «Dave Youngblood was very smart. right choice! It was my next move in my career. Everybody He got me, hurt Dynasty just said: «Oliver, you are the and made Ironmen much better.» best, you are the best!»; I never thought that I was the best GRIP: Did you prove what you had to because I always knew that I could be better.

And this was my next challenge, to go to the prove?

OL: I would say so! Winning two back to Ironmen, to take a team that wasn’t at the top, take them to the top, make a job out of back World Cups and a series title… it’s it and become a face of a company; that is a pretty impressive! dream. It worked out perfectly: we won two GRIP: After this decision of going to World Cups, the company enjoyed my time

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Ironmen all your Dynasty old friends stop talking with you. What happened?

OL: Yeah (Nervous laugh)! I broke their hearts. It was like breaking up with your girlfriend of many years, and not just one girlfriend but ten. Not many people know this but I didn’t want to call them on the phone, I wanted to be decent, to look them in the eye and in a practice I told them like a man: «Guys, I’ve been offered to go play on Ironmen and I’m going take it!». Most people when they quit teams just send a text message, it’s pretty cowardly.

Although it was harsh and brutal they took it well and I actually went to play for Ironmen that day against Dynasty. We didn’t talk for a couple of years, I had dreams of hanging out with them, I saw them in the tournaments hanging out, playing, being goofballs. The guys are hilarious, I don’t want to hang out with any other team ever.

Alex and Ryan and everybody have the whole dynamic of what it is, they’re just a really funny, comical and healthy group of people. Not being a part of that made a huge hole in my heart for a long time.

Although I made new friends and built a new team and loved every minute of that I still missed the guys.

GRIP: During those two years you said that you didn’t sleep very well. If you could go back what would you do differently?

OL: You know… I don’t think I would do anything differently, I think it went perfectly well! Took one year to rebuild, two years of winning and two years where we kind of slacked off. I wish the owner of

the team was a little bit easier to work with in some points; we would have been able to keep Nicky (Cuba), be able to keep some of the players I really liked on the team and I think Ironmen could still be a strong team to this day if those guys were still on the team.

GRIP: Once you said that it was harder to return to Dynasty than leaving. Why? OL: It was a difficult thing because they evolved, I had changed, I had learnt new

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things, I tried to implement new things, they had their own system… More than anything it was the morale boost of coming back. It was a nice thing! I still think we have holes in our game plan and things we do because we are used so much to each other, it’s like a family. We have to figure it out occasionally, especially if we are not doing so well. It’s tough telling somebody: «Hey this is how you’re supposed to do it!» because these guys are World Champions and they have done it too. Everybody’s got their unique way, it’s difficult!

GRIP: Did the contract with DYE end or was it you that decided to leave?

OL: It was the end of the contract and it was also my decision! To tell you the truth it wasn’t going to happen again, I wasn’t getting paid the same amount of money, they didn’t think I deserved it, the business wasn’t going to support me. It was good and when we started winning it got ugly!

Dynasty but for a little less money he could get me, hurt Dynasty and make Ironmen much better.

GRIP: You returned to Dynasty and everything could not have run more smoothly. Four victories in four GRIP: We know that you wanted to repeat tournaments. Have you ever thought that all the success that Dynasty had in the it would be so easy?

«Polar Bears don’t have a rivalry, OL: I did because I knew that it was all the guys are really nice, going to be a new invigorating fire lit underneath everybody. We were young nobody hates us… yet…» again! past and win the Triple Crown. This year GRIP: Was there never a chance for you gave up Millennium and NPPL as a Dynasty to be represented by DYE? team. Are you giving up of the dream?

OL: There was but Dave Youngblood was OL: No, not all! Is not about winning the very smart about it. He was going to try get Triple Crown, is just about winning each

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and we just don’t want to play those events anymore. PSP run a good tournament and that is where all the competition is. Europe is tough because we don’t practice for those Europeans tournaments, we just come and play, and some teams play on those fields for months. Our main focus is winning PSP and all those other little events that we enter.

GRIP: Last year you were PSP Top Gun and won the PSP after one chaotic year where all the haters popped up saying bad stuff about you and your team. Winning those titles was a way to shut up some mouths?

OL: For sure! For sure! Paintball is such a crazy wild sport, anything can happen. We had some players in the team that weren’t fit and had coaching issues… 14 years of doing this, I think you can allow one bad year!

tournament and when you win each tournament all those other things can follow suit. And that is all we are trying to do, just win tournaments! Coming to Europe as Dynasty costs quite a bit of money, it doesn’t make sense to tell you the truth, we don’t really win much. NPPL went terribly

GRIP: In Millennium you played ten years with Bullets creating a team almost from nothing to a CPL event winner. Do you miss playing with them?

OL: Totally! The Bullets were great! Great team, great family! It was a good group, it was my European Dynasty. We just had so much fun, and that is what all about over here. We played a lot of events and we advertisement

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put a lot of heart into it, and we put a lot of heart into each time we played. It was about having fun and that is what keeps me going.

GRIP: Your «hate» for the Russians is very public…

OL: Yep! GRIP: …and this year you’re playing with the Polar Bears.

OL: Right!

you communicate in the field?

OL: Yeah… it is very difficult! One of the major downsides of the team. We have got some translators. We have learned some Russian words and we have a communication system on the field of bunker names and some certain codes that we all understand. But for the most part we try to make a lot of eye contact on the field and some hand signals.

GRIP: We said in the last issue that Polar Bears could win a final faster than everyone can expect. Do you think it’s possible?

OL: I think we have to get over a few

GRIP: How did they convince you?

OL: Polar Bears facebooked me and said: «We want to learn the Californian style of play, we are done with the Russian style of play. We want to get two of you guys «The pro players will say: “screw and get a coach from America and we want to implement what you guys the industry, we’re taking over do». I thought that was pretty cool: and doing it ourselves”» the Russian mentality, they are very straight-forward, how they think, how they see it. And the California style is more: bumps! Everyone needs to believe a little bit let’s try that, let’s make some mistakes, in themselves. Without a doubt it’s possible! let’s have more fun. I think it’s an interesting combination this year. It’s coming along! They GRIP: Don’t you feel like a mercenary, are good players! The Russians are without playing with other teams for money? a doubt outstanding players, very technical, OL: Totally! Completely! But you know, it’s they put a lot of work into their mechanical good for a lot of reasons. It’s good for these style. With a little more heart and a little bit teams because when I come over and I play of finesse these guys could be outstanding for a team I’m not a mercenary. We sit players. That what I think about all Russian down with them, we give them our system, teams, that with a little cooler understanding we show how we do it, what we do and we of the game, a little more relaxed and not so implement it. We never just come over here strict style, I think they will enjoy a lot more been like: «Ok! Where do I go?». You can’t and everybody will be a little bit better. play paintball like that, you have to have a code system. Me coming over and playing GRIP: They don’t speak English so how do these events keeps me on the top. I need

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to come to Europe and play in these events.

It keeps me going. It’s just good all around!

We don’t make much money, this is our chance to make extra coin and in exchange play on a team and without a doubt it’s a lot of hard work too. It’s worthy all around…

say: «Hoo, I don’t know if we could win!», but they would go and play in the pros.

GRIP: Who do you consider your rivals in Europe?

OL: Impact is one of the biggest rivals, they’ve beaten us a few times. They are up and up. They get to play paintball professionally, travel, get income so I would say that they are definitely our biggest rivals. Art Chaos should always be a rival, but for some reason they are not putting it together this year. Heat is a good rivalry.

For the Polar Bears I don’t think we have a rivalry, we are a pretty new team, all the guys are really nice, nobody hates us… yet…

GRIP: In another interview you said that there are plenty of crap teams in CPL. How would you change this?

OL: Europe is tough because a lot of players play in Europe and there are a lot of teams, which is great! Nobody has really given these teams the proper tools to become a good team. A lot of teams bought their way in, someone got the available spot, whatever it may be… they don’t practice «I enjoyed every minute of paintball! enough, they might not have the best sponsorships to build the Now I understand what it takes practice, they might not practice to become good at something!» with the better teams, they might not do all the proper drills or run the proper and we don’t really hate anybody yet. I just practices. And then you get in the Millennium want to beat every other team. ten teams that are very good and a couple that aren’t so good. And then you have a GRIP: Are you surprised with the lack of Canadian and American team that come quality of Art Chaos this year? over here that play really well and for the OL: I’m pretty disappointed with them. I most part they are on the TOP4 every time. don’t know what is going on with them.

With the exception of Tontons and maybe Fantastic players and I just don’t get it! I Art Chaos there just aren’t many other know exactly what is going on to tell you the teams that really grind as hard as all the truth but I don’t know if I want to say it… rest of the TOP4 pro teams that are here to (Long pause) They are trying to implement make the difference. I just think it’s a lack some new formulas but the old Russian of education and lack of proper training and formula of success works, with the five best proper understanding. If you are playing in Russians players playing all the time and the pros you should feel you are at the top of every point, those guys are going to beat your game and that you will win each time you majority of the time. But when you try you show up at an event. Most of these teams to implement all these new players and try

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to build a new team, it’s hard! You got to sit down and you got to play or let the kid (Axel Gaudin) play, I just think they are not used to that mentality. And there is a lot of pressure on them, but pressure should be one of those things that are on your side if you think you are one of the best players in the World because it just forces you to do well.

GRIP: Do you think Fedorov is your greatest rival in terms of fame?

OL: Sure! Fedorov is outstanding in every

way, handsome, good-looking, he plays well, he wins quite a bit. You can say he is the European Oliver or I can be the American Fedorov.

GRIP: People think that you and Fedorov are enemies. How is your relationship off the field?

OL: Fedorov and I are good friends! We are competitors, I like to beat him, I like to see him lose. I don’t hang out with Fedorov but at the field he is a very great guy, he’s

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always been a good sportsman. That is as far as our relation goes! He plays on that team and I play on this team, and if we ever play on the same team maybe we can become better friends. For the most part you don’t really have great friends on other teams that you haven’t played on the team with.

GRIP: Do you think it will be possible to see both you playing on the same team one day?

OL: If Art Chaos wants to pay me millions of dollars, I can go to Art Chaos but I don’t really see that happening.

GRIP: This year you entered the first 1ON1 contest and won it. Did you sign in just to show that you are the best?

OL: I like 1ON1, I play a lot of 1ON1, I feel that I’m very strong at it. I noticed that a lot of pro players were scared because ego gets in the way. For me I’m just kind of an idiot, and I just wasn’t thinking about it. Luckily I got a spot from Justin Rabackoff because he was leaving and I wasn’t going to enter since it was full. I wanted to win it because I’ve never had won a 1ON1 before. 1ON1 are always very difficult, even more difficult against some players you don’t know. It felt good to win it and take that title. I haven’t played more of it because I think it’s good to see some other winners. I would like to do a big tournament with all the winners, maybe

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I can convince them in the next event.

GRIP: There is some gossip going round that you want to create a circuit with your name. What can you tell us about this?

OL: Essentiality yes, one day I will own my own league! I don’t know when, I have a format that I think is very cutting-edge for the growth of paintball, a little bit more economic, a little bit faster, a little bit smaller. It’s just going to be out there one

ask for photos or autographs are real fans and it means a lot to me. You see the joy in their face, you can see the nervousness. I wouldn’t change it, it’s the way that it is, it’s perfect!

I wish I wasn’t myself sometimes when I play so the referees couldn’t figure out who I was (Laughs).

GRIP: Isn’t there too much pressure all the time?

OL: No! Pressure is good! Pressure means that you are forced into the corner to continue doing well, to succeed.

day! My plan is to do some work next year, and make some right connections to see where I’m at and eventually one day I’ll get there.

GRIP: You are always being watched, filmed, photographed, asked for autographs for the last 12/15 years. Wouldn’t you like to just come to the field one day and be that guy that no one knows?

OL: No! It’s great! Majority of the people who

GRIP: What is the story behind that moustache?

OL: You want to know… Ok… The real story is two of my best friends, Brat and Shane, they always have great moustaches and I always was like: «I can’t wait to grow a moustache!».

One day I just pushed through on a Movember and grew a little stupid looking moustache and it was so funny and everybody laughed at it.

After I started wearing it for one or two months everybody was still laughing at me.

I just realized how funny it is and how you just can’t take yourself too seriously. At the end of the day I just become the funny guy with the little gay moustache. (Laughs).

GRIP: Why number 17?

OL: I was 17 when I turned pro.

GRIP: And why number 2?

OL: I wasn’t feeling 17 anymore! I grew

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up. I have always been a huge fan of Shane Pestana who was number two! I remember it took us about two years of taking second places constantly before we finally won.

And once we finally won I realized how important all those second places were.

Learning how to lose, you understand how to win.

GRIP: You are always saying that what matters in paintball is the will to win and character. When someone has already won everything where does he go to find the will to keep winning all the time?

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OL: It’s difficult because you have won everything! The way and the will and the want to win… I almost do it for other people: for my teammates, for my friends, for my fans; I don’t want to let anyone down. Winning becomes so instinctual, becomes… so… almost effortless sometimes but you put some effort into it. But if everybody was on the same page, had the same mind frame, winning would be pretty simple, and with the dedication behind it, you can do it… a lot! At this point we are there… There are only some little things that stop us from winning!

GRIP: «Sometimes I have to be an asshole on the field to get the job done». What does this mean?

OL: Well, sometimes you got to be an asshole… you got to take the guy down, you got to shoot him a bunch of times, you got to be that wrecking ball. You watch a lot of these players and they are assholes in the field but they get the job done! If you are just the nice guy and you shoot the guy once, you just want to make it smooth and get it on the spot, it doesn’t really get it done! You got to go in there and just take it down! Just make it happen! Sometimes you got to be an asshole that way.

GRIP: What is the title that you’re missing?

OL: I don’t know (pauses and laughs)!

It’s not about titles anymore, it’s about winning tournaments! Winning tournaments is fuel… titles are titles, you want it, but you want to win tournaments.

And if you win these tournaments, the titles will come! Never focus on the title, focus on these tournaments, and whenever you win tournaments several times in your life, it’s like: «Huaaaaaaaaaaaa! Thank God!» (Shows an expression of relief). It’s a sense of accomplishment and then right

back to the drawing board.

GRIP: Are you the best player in the World?

OL: Ask yourself that question who has done more and won more than me. We will see when this is all over who the best is but I’m pretty happy where I stand regardless. • advertisement

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Susana Sanches Photographer: Carlos Rodrigues Model: Susana Sanches Makeup: Silvia Ferreira All gear: Maxs and Bunker Kings

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Paint fest GRIP wanted to take a look at the most wanted European summer Paintball Festival that is run by the NPF, in heart of the UK and tell you everything. Everything happened from the 25th to the 27th of July.

Text: AndrĂŠ Faria | Photos: Rick Anthony - Paintball Scene Photography

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Established in 1987, the NPF came up with the idea four years ago of building up a summer festival that got together paintball and loads of party time. What started as a small event with about 200 players reached staggering results with more than 1000 players.

As Kerry Mayo, the operations manager at NPF and one of the team of four managers responsible for the Paintfest describes: «We have continued to listen to feedback year after year and have used this to continually improve the game, facilities and special entertainment that makes Paintfest very special.»

One of her most fantastic memories of this event was in 2013: «The weather was very hot and sunny. Then on the Saturday evening there was a huge rainstorm during the player’s party! The whole

thing was crazy and people were dancing around in the rain with umbrellas and ponchos – they just wanted to party!!

Crazy times!»

This year the Miltac - Magfed game «Tears of the Sun» was a surprise to the players. It was not for just one but two days of pure magfed madness!

Paintfest was awarded Best Scenario Site at the UK Paintball Awards in 2013.

Kerry explains why the change: «Just to attend to this new segment of players and gameplay which has seen a massive growth here in the UK in the last two to three years.»

Players attending Paintfest had three Big Game scenarios to play across the

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It was the biggest party ever! weekend: on Friday the Vietnam scenario, on Saturday the popular Zombies vs.

Humans scenario and on Sunday the very famous Diamond Wars. As for extra activities they had inflatables, laser games, an airsoft range, a Megarena for those players that prefer or wanted to try Supair paintball and a Killhouse arena from Task Force Delta who run specialist pistol only sessions.

A very interesting plus for the event was a movie night on Friday, where players could vote for the best of four chosen films on Facebook, prior to the event, and chill out in the party zone watching it!

On Saturday the chill out turned into an Ibiza style players’ party with live DJ’s and

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dancers, it was the biggest party ever!

Paintfest offers more than just games, it is also supported by a huge camping area, a large trade and vendor area, game play packs and maps for all the players, a unique experience with movie set style scenarios and well-designed props, and caterers offering a good choice of quality healthy food. It was without surprise that Paintfest was awarded Best Scenario Site at the UK Paintball Awards in 2013.

Overall what was the audience of players this year? Kerry says: «Paintfest 2014 has grown year on year and 2014 was no exception - we had upwards of 1000 players plus visitors, staff and vendors... we look to be even bigger in 2015.»

All of the hard work to put such an event up and running, is done by four elements of the management team, which cover the festival field, promotion, logistics, staffing, writing the game scenarios, trade vendors and sponsors, etc. Then, ten days before the event starts, the event staff of about ten people do «all hands on deck» type of work.

As for the refs, a good tight crew of about 30 home grown NPF refs do the hard job of keeping everything running smoothly for the players involved!

The trading area is filled with Tippmann

Sports, Enola Gaye, RAP4 UK, Dye Precision, Just Paintball, NPF, Warped Sports, BZ Paintball, GI / Lips Paintball, to name just a few.

As for the hard question of what can or could be done to make more people play this sport, Kerry says: «I think that there has generally been a good upturn in business in the last couple of years (…).

The Magfed scene has gone particularly crazy here in the UK and that area at the moment is bringing both old and new players into that scene. We as an industry just need to continue to show paintball

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to the masses in the right way - the great team sport that it is which has great camaraderie and friendships for life!»

Kerry unveiled a bit of what’s happening on the Paintfest 2015. There are plans

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to upgrade facilities for the players and investing in ways to improve the game.

«We would love to see more people from overseas teams attending too...so get those flights booked early.» •

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O I R 13 A N e E m C a S G g i B

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me a G Big vent o i nar last e ust! e c he S their st of Aug t rom vering d 31 f l t er re co th an B h e th , 30 it w w e 9 Paintball ed le w 2 k l e a i IDh t h t om P r w I f n r GR land ned o o Wiesne o rt in P happe hotos: Robe P t tha ndrĂŠ Faria | :A

t Tex

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In the paintball world since 2001 mostly playing woodland, Bertl partnered up with Hartmut from Gotchaspielfeld to build the Scenario Event in what is called the Gotchaspielfeld North Field, in Brozek - Poland. Their work brought to life a special big game that is growing, and it’s one of the biggest scenario paintball events in Europe.

In his memories, the last SBG 12 in May had set the benchmark for a very good event, with side events, tradeshow and integrating magfed! The sky is the limit now!

Also the video from SBG 5, is carved in our memories… we wonder why…

This year the players had new fields with several improvements, many side events, like magfed tournaments, night games and

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the Milsig Shooting Range that offered a brand new M17 to the winner! Also an item packed tradeshow with Maskenfetischisten, Gotschaspielfeld, PBMERCH4FUN, the Outdoor Shop cottbus and Milsig Europe.

The SBG overall has conditions like any other great European event, providing their customers with accommodation, hot showers, catering, tech support and a famous Saturday night wild party with some hot action strip show. They also set up a Friday night cinema session and on the Saturday evening they presented a Scenario Big Game Video from the day, after the winning ceremony.

One more fantastic thing is that SBG is located at a secret old German explosives factory (Forst Scheuno) from WWII, and

they offer a tour through the hundreds of to avoid losing quality of service. bunkers with plenty of information about All of this is possible due to a team them, and also tank drives with an original of 70 people that take great pride not T54 tank. only on their work, but also in the close And what about the games? Besides relationship with the players. Of those, 30 walking around the scenario with a real T54 are referees on the field. tank on the field, the teams have to find Besides the successful SBG event, GRIP scenario points in different missions. They asked how Bertl sees paintball globally, also run the VIP and Capture the SBG has set the benchmark for a Flag style games.

The 600 players were divided very good event, with side events, in two teams: Team Tactic, an tradeshow and integrating magfed. organized regiment with generals and officers, and Team Guerillos United (GU), no discipline in this team, and the answer was positive and full of they will shoot anything that moves. great messages: ÂŤThere is a great future The event was fully booked because the for woodland paintball, the events are organization has set the limit of 600 players growing and the people think of it in

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a more positive fashion. For the future, safety should be more of a focus if we want to be accepted as a safe and positive sport. Magfed is a key feature for the future, there are no big magfed events but I’m sure that soon there will SBG is be enough magfed players for these events. I also think about a magfed league in Europe.»

What can players expect for the 2015 SBG events? Nothing less and nothing more than hard work to build a better SBG! Things like power to the camping area, a player information system for the

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scenarios, a new field scenario of cars and also the quest for new partners for the trading area.

Bertl says goodbye to the GRIP readers with some final words: «The paintball

located at a secret old German explosives factory from WWII. community should work together, not against each other. We are a very positive community and good events help get a better image and more people trying to play paintball!» •

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DROM 1.5 After a long wait due to manufacturing delays for the new DROM we received the new version of the renowned trainers on the market. Just take a look!

Text: André Garrido

The first thing we notice is the black colour contrasting with the previous white version.

In my opinion this colour is more adequate for the practice of our sport since the paint doesn’t stain the fabric of the sneakers and is way better for those sneaky players who want to hide a shot from the refs.

The design was also altered although it maintains the robust look. The first version seemed like a bulky running shoe, while this one is significantly slimmer and is 15% lighter.

Although the new DROM is lighter, the quality of the fabrics is better. The new design combines rubber and PU leather

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on the front which double its resistance compared with the first version. At the same time the ankle support is more effective, wrapping the foot properly and making it more stable in all movements.

The tongue is longer than the first version too which makes the sneaker more comfortable. However, we have to say that it is also a negative aspect; if the DROM doesn’t fit perfectly to your foot the part just before the shoes’ tongue will make a little lump. It’s not a big issue… but we like perfection!

One of the big problems of the

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DROM 1.0 was the heat You can buy the DROM that it made if you kept 1.5 for 99€ and it’s available ADVANTAGES the shoes on all day. This from size 40 to 46.5. The • One season guarantee was improved a lot in this price seems fair, especially • Spikes new version with the new with the one season • Design mesh on the sides and guarantee where they tongue. promise to repair or give a DISADVANTAGES The brand decided to new pair of sneakers in case • Bunching up of laces make everything more something goes wrong. professional, delivering We must say that the the shoes with a black bag with the first version was very good and difficult to logo printed on one side. Another great surpass but they did it. We believe that advantage that was already available this mix of protection and comfort is the on the previous version was the three perfect vision for this kind of product. It’s different types of spikes made for a cool sneaker even if you just want to go different kinds of floor. out with them. •

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MacDev Shift² Barrel Kit Black MacDev upgrades their famous barrel kit.

Is it worth the money?

Take a look.

Text: AndrĂŠ Garrido

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At the end of last season, every time we passed at DYE booth we stopped to stare at the new line of gear bags. The bags were simple and pretty, and above all they had something that yelled: «Take me with you». We wanted to test them and see what the main differences are from others bags in the market and what makes them so appealing.

One thing is certain, everyone is always expecting the most clean and professional design of our industry when it comes to DYE, and these bags are no different.

DYE sent us two different models: the Resister 1.50 S and the Explorer 1.25 T. The differences are obvious at first sight since one is a big bag for all the regular paintballers out there and the other one is the typical «travelling cool-athlete» bag.

One thing that pops out immediately

with all the 2014 bags is the DRY system that makes all of them weather sealable, a smart decision for a sport where dirt, paint and in many countries rain is a constant factor.

Although the Resister is not the top of the line in terms of size it’s one big gear bag. And when we say that is a gear bag, it’s in fact only a gear bag. The size is an important thing here as the idea is to have the simplest bag in the market with plenty of space.

The Resister only has three huge compartments, two at the top and one giant in the middle that covers

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ADVANTAGES • Accuracy • Rubberized grip • Inserts the whole size of the bag. concept of having a bag The first big surprise is where you can throw all DISADVANTAGES when you open the top your items in it without • Lack of colour choice «pocket», you realize that caring but honestly this compartment is thermal. But why would we would like to have some optional someone want to have a massive thermal separators where you decide if you want to pocket? For a good number of reasons: first put them or not… but typically nobody uses you can keep your open paintball bags in them, so it’s probably the right choice! there; second you can keep your entire The Explorer is a different kind of bag. gear cool; lastly this preserves all gear in We would say that is the a controlled atmosphere, where you can perfect bag for those who prevent the collection of moisture. The travel during weekends bottom «pocket» is almost the same size for the tournaments. This as the top and the giant division takes up bag gives you the best everything seen in the pictures, without any of both worlds: all your divisions. gear with your clothes.

We understand the They are split by netting,

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which allows the user to access both compartments from different ends.

It’s interesting to see how this work on such a «small» bag. The size is two times a normal backpack and it’s sad that DYE didn’t think about this and include two hidden straps to make this bag a big backpack. When you open the bag you realize that it has a lot of space in both divisions.

At the top of the bag there’s a small pocket ideal for the keys to your gun, your id-cards, wallet, phone and music player.

Not just one but all of them!

Both bags have a telescopic handle to carry them with ease. On the same topic of comfort, all the handles have memory foam.

Another extra cool detail is that both of them have is an ID card holder for your identification on the back of the bags.

One thing that some players won’t like is the kind of wheels that were used.

Although DYE says they’re all

terrain wheels, we would have preferred to see a more rugged type instead of slick ones.

Overall we loved the bags. They are very simple and without unnecessary extras that will just make everything bigger and confusing. The design is perfect with slick lines and looks very professional. In both bags there is lot of space for all the gear and clothes in, especially with the Explorer.

There are few models than can compete with these bags in terms of image, space and especially the longevity that they offer.•

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RM-1 is a simple gun for the rental market. It does what it’s supposed to do well, and has this great little touch of innovation.

Are you curious?

Text: André Garrido

RM-1 RM-1 stands for Rental Marker and it’s obvious that this type of marker doesn’t need the coolest look or the high-end specs that all the pro-players are used to.

The rental stamp usually means that all the parts are durable with super easy maintenance and above all that doesn’t give any trouble to the players and owners. Although we can’t speak about the duration of the marker since we couldn’t use it for a long time we could notice that after intense testing everything was perfect. The maintenance is quite simple and there is really nothing that we could point out that wasn’t working.

The gun works with the same system as a Spyder – Blowback – which is a system

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known for its reliability and durability.

One great thing about the RM-1 is its compatibility between Spyder and its own parts, which is great if you think of all the products and spare parts already available in the market. And these parts are cheap above all!

Tests with the marker straight out of the box were quite strange, giving inconstant results but we noticed that after some days of use and with a lot of paint shots the gun got better and became very consistent even at the chrony. Usually rental markets aren’t famous for their accuracy but the RM-1 impressed us. After getting used to it, we could really hit our targets quite easily.

There aren’t many downsides to this

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marker. It isn’t really has no one done this pretty, okay. But it’s before?». When you ADVANTAGES not supposed to be. It’s take the barrel sock • Easy maintenance very conventional with off from your barrel • Cheap spare parts its straight lines… but the shape and size of • High levels of accuracy who cares? This was it is identical to the for a rental marker made for a birthday front grip of the gun • Innovative barrel sock system party or for that guy and you can insert it that is starting off with there. This way you DISADVANTAGES his first shots. can get a rubber grip • Weight The only thing we and you will not lose could point as a real downside is the the barrel sock. weight that you can feel after some hours Although the brand tags this for Rental of playing with it. we believe that the RM-1 is probably the All of you already know that we become best choice for first timers in our sport. crazy when we see any little invention in Until this moment there wasn’t a great our sport. And these guys made us happy quality product for beginners especially for once more! They were smart and created such a fair price and quality balance. such a simple way to keep the barrel sock We are sure that if this gun was made literally in your hand without losing it. on one of the huge brands of our market It’s so easy that we ask: «How the hell its success is granted.•

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THANKS

Blue Falcon Squadron Domingos Leit達o Jo達o Ramos Ricardo Catarino

Thank you all!

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