Born Ewa Swenson, Ewa Laurance (born on February 26, 1964 in Gavle, Sweden) is professional pool player under the nickname of Striking Viking. She's been playing pool since she was 14 years old in her native land of Gavle, Sweden. She started living in the USA in 1983 because of her appearance at the New York City World Championships. She wrote three books, The Ewa Mataya Pool Guide, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pool and Billiards, & Quick Start Guide to Pocket Billiards. She also wrote monthly columns for Pool & Billiard Magazine. In 2004 she was inducted to the BCA Hall of Fame.