"18 questions to know them better" is cut out and located here. New graphical content by The Council]
In 1995, some kids started playing paintball in Våle, a small community near Oslo. Little did
they know that NBK would become a household name in paintball communities everywhere.
We found out what NBK actually stands for...
BY MARCEL ZENARI / PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROM 123 (Note: Not shown here)
Back in those days, paintball was a rare activity in Norway. Some teams had been created, but mostly too far away for these players to travel to. The equipment was mostly cheap pump-action paintball markers, and the games were played in large wooden areas. As time went by, better equipment was bought. More and more players got interested, and at the peak, more than twenty of them were playing. In 1996, five of them, Alex, Are, Mads and Frithjof, decided to form a team called NBK. The team name was an abbreviation for three Norwegian words (Norske Bonde Knøler) which meant Norwegian Farmer Gimps since many of the original members of the team were farmer kids. NBK is now a well-known team name, and though the meaning of the name doesn't directly apply anymore, the players think that it would be fruitless to change it now. Back then, NBK had not played against any real teams. Early in 1997, they decided to jump into it and go abroad. Barely old enough to drive a car, the members of NBK traveled to the Chimeras indoor tournament in Sweden. After a warm welcome, and a brief introduction to the sport of tournament paintball, NBK played their first event. To everyone's surprise, not to mention NBK's own, they did extremely well. History was set in motion, and at the end of the 1997 season, NBK had become the Norwegian champions. Their only real competition in Norway came from a team created at the same time, the Painthouse Playboys. This team consisted of four "not so playboy-looking guys", according to NBK's captain. The Painthouse Playboys did quite well that same season, but fell apart after six months. Two players were quickly adopted by NBK, one of them was Nicolay.
In 1998, two players left NBK, so the team desperately needed one new player. Sniper Paintball's Factory Team captain Kim became a permanent player with NBK, never looking back. That season was the real kick NBK needed. With renewed enthusiasm and new blood, they won the DPF Open in the Pro division, beating NWC, Ducklings, Joy and many other famous teams. At that time NBK consisted of only six players, so Kim brought in Indor to join the roster. A year later, the team finished second at London's Mayhem Masters.
Today NBK trains regularly, "we try to get the team together once a week for practice". NBK still consist of six of these seven players (Mads has left recently), and four new players have joined the team: Frank, Lars, Trane and Knut Kristian. They won the 2001 Millennium series, and made history by winning Denmark, Toulouse and Mayhem in a row. According to the captain, "the team has always consisted of young guys with a huge passion for the game. One thing is for sure: we all have the Norwegian winning spirit within our blood! Norway won 12 gold medals in this year's winter Olympics, ask the Swedes how many they've got! Need I say more?". Hey, paintball as an Olympic sport, there's an idea...
FROM EVERY ANGLE
"NBK is a real team, they all play as one to give their team the victory! We actually think that
they are too good to still be playing Amateur. It's time for them to step up and go Pro. Overall,
they're a nice bunch of guys, a lot of respect for them and their performances. It has been a real
challenge playing against them and seeing them compete in the Millennium Series. Curious to see
their results at Pro level!"
JOHAN, ENDURANCE
"NBK is easily recognized to be the best AM team in Europe. At each tournament, they show outstanding
levels of play as well as a strong offensive style. They represent also a model in terms of
Fair Play. We have had lots of pleasure (& pressure as well!) to play against them since the
beginning of the Millennium Circuit. Unfortunately, they have lost two or three key players last
season. From this perspective, no one can bet or say anything for the next season or for the future
of the whole team. Anyway, this team is a PRO class team."
CEDRIK PEPIN, TEAM SCALP
"Rushers have been very close friends with NBK over the last couple of years, with Kim Ovrid guesting
for us and Pete Martin playing for NBK during his sabbatical in Norway. NBK are an incredibly technical
team with one of the best front four in the Millennium series in Frithjof, Nicolay, Frank and Alex.
Make a move against these guys and they'll punish you, don't make the move and they will anyway.
The team's biggest strength is its consistency and if they clinch the 2001 title, finally, then it will
be richly deserved. Their weaknesses are few and far between (but Endurance 100 - NBK 0 is hard
to forget Kim!!!). We always look forward to playing against these guys, as well as socializing with
them off the fields. See you in Portugal!"
MARK TOYE, RUSHERS
"NBK is for us one of the best teams in Europe, who showed their knowledge during the 2001 season.
Their highlight is an aggressive game, but still very secure in their moves. We are also pretty
sure that they would rumble in the top five pro teams if they switched. We are all looking forward
to have a strong NBK team on the field. Even though some rumours indicate that there might be a change
in their line-up."
OLIVIER ODERMATT, CONSILIUM DEI