Aleksander 'Klinsmann18' Strandli's dream was to join the Norway army equivalent of the SAS. But his nickname of Smaen, which means 'the little one' in Norwegian couldn't have been more apt. Aleksander only weighs 64kg. SAS training involves running around with a 68kg backpack on. Within a few days, Aleksander had dislocated his shoulder and that was the end of that. So young Aleksander, now 21, turns his attention to poker and starts a year of intense online and Oslo card room performances.
In February, an Norwegian online company took Aleks to the EPT Deauville tournament as a blogger. While there, he entered a $500 side event, and won it for 68,000 euros. A few weeks later, he qualifies on PokerStars.com for the EPT Grand Final.
