As natives of Sweden and members of the Stockholm Magnetik, you would think that Counter-Strike: Source players Louis "Red" Nyberg and Eric "HaZ" Holm would be two of the last individuals you would find playing for CGS’s UK-based teams.

However, last month, at Mutiplay’s i33 LAN tournament, the Swedish starters became international mercenaries by filling in for the London Mint and Birmingham Salvo respectively.

Both the Birmingham Salvo and London Mint would capitalize on the duo’s plethora of experience, skill and ironically previous histories competing in the UK scene.

For Nyberg, playing with Salvo meant that he would be reunited with former 4Kings CS:1.6 teammate Marc Mangiacapra.

Red and HaZ competing for the Stockholm Magnetik at last year's World Final.

For Holm, playing with the Mint meant that he would once again be sitting alongside former Reason Gaming teammates Tom Chenery and Henry "HenryG" Greer.

Despite the early setbacks, both teams breezed through the tournament’s group stages and early double elimination rounds. It wasn’t until the fourth round of the upper bracket, where they faced each other on Contra, that either team was confronted with a tough fixture.

At face value the match appeared to be in the Mint’s favor as the team had considerably more experience on Contra than the Birmingham Salvo did. In the end a surprising 13-16 loss yielded a different story, and forced the London Mint into the lower bracket.

Following the match, Nyberg revealed to me the secret to Birmingham's success.

“We’ve been practicing the map exclusively before the tournament,” he said. “We're actually confident on it, and hope teams will choose it for the grand final.”

Considering Contra played a large role in the Salvo’s early exit from i32 that wasn’t a bad idea at all.

The Birmingham Salvo would remain undefeated in the upper bracket and go on to earn a spot in the grand final.

Nyberg’s defining moment of the tournament occurred in upper bracket final on Train against Reason Gaming (no relation to the aforementioned team) where his defensive efforts single handedly locked down the inner bombsite.

Holm was no slouch for the London Mint either, as he seemed to hit absolutely every entry shot imaginable and lead the team through the lower bracket and into the championship match against the Salvo. His ability to adapt to the play-style of his former teammates was an invaluable asset to the Mint.

“I know how [the London Mint players] all play, and I would usually know what they would do in every situation. I've played with them a lot the past so many things become automatic,” he said.

I33’s grand final marked the second time in the same day that Stockholm Magnetik teammates would face each other. Prior to the event both Nyberg and Holm joked about how fun it would be to beat the other in the grand final. Ultimately Nyberg and the Salvo would have the last laugh with their 16-11 win on Dust2.

To Nyberg, Birmingham Salvo’s success at i33 was a wake up call for his team.

“The Salvo have never, in my opinion, been one of [the Stockholm Magnetik’s] top threats, but after playing with them I'm a bit scared,” he said. “I realized that they have most of the ingredients a top team needs... they have a smart in-game leader [Rattlesnk] who has a great AWP... and great chemistry. The Salvo might be the team to look out for.”

To Holm, London Mint’s success at i33 was just a reminder of the past and an affirmation that he and his former teammates still have what it takes to play with the best. Still, Holm would love nothing more than to continue to play for both his country, and his city, as member of the Stockholm Magnetik.

One thing’s for sure, after Nyberg and Holm’s amazing performances at i33, Stockholm Magnetik General Manager Emil "HeatoN" Christensen won’t be letting either player go without a fight.