LIVESTREAM PPV: Friday Night Football from Sweden – Örebro Black Knights @Carlstad Crusaders, May 25, 7p (1p EST)

In a much anticipated matchup, the 3-2 Örebro Black Knights head to Karlstad, Sweden to face the league-leading Carlstad Crusaders (5-0) in Sweden’s Superserien.

This is the second meeting between the two teams this year. The Crusaders were forced to come from behind three times in the opening game of the season against Örebro and finally won the game thanks to  their special teams. British kick returner Natal Melero returned the kickoff on Orebro’s final go-ahead touchdown 90 yards to restore the Carlstad lead late in the third. Then the punt cover unit blocked a Black Knights punt in the fourth quarter giving Carlstad the ball on the Örebro seven yard line. A field goal was all that was needed to seal the win.

Carlstad quarterback Philip Juhlin completed 28 of 40 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another 51. Wide receiver Robin Juhlin had four catches for 106 yards including a 58 yard touchdown reception. Jacob Dahre hauled in nine passes for 69 yards and a touchdown while Marcus Johnson caught four passes for 44 yards. Viktor Toresson and Christian Forsman each had a rushing touchdown and Melero a kickoff return touchdown.

Although he was forced out of the game with a toe injury in the third quarter, Örebro quarterback Raleigh Yeldell, was dangerous while he was in the game. He threw for 170 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 70 and three touchdowns.

Without Yeldell, the Black Knights lost their next game as well to Uppsala. His return from his injury has revived the team and they have won three straight and are back in second place.

Juhlin continues to lead the Swedish American Football league in passing yardage, as he did in 2017, with 1,314  yards and 15 TDs. Yeldell III is 4th with 723 yards and 6 TDs.  The second leading receiver in the league with 428 yards is Robin Juhlin of the Crusaders followed by teammate and  last year’s top WR, Jacob Dahre with 394 yards and 6 TDs. Örebro’s Johannes Lindeus is 4th with his 336 yards while teammate Tomas Jacobssen is 5th with 327 yards. Black Knights running back Johnny Grandin is now the second leading rusher in Sweden with 417 yards, averaging a league-best 6.7 yards a carry. Carlstad’s Victor Toresson trails in third with 275 yards but is averaging 6.4 yards a carry. Right behind him in fourth is his quarterback. Juhlin has rushed for 221 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensive back Julius Rucker is a key factor for Carlstad. Against the Tamworth Phoenix he returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown. In Carlstad’s last game against the Stockholm Mean Machines, he held the league’s leading receiver. Matt Retzlaff to no catches.

For Örebro, Grandin has proven to be a weapon. He did not start the season as the starting running back but after a huge game against the Goteborg Marvels when he rushed for 249 yards and three touchdowns, he has become a factor for opposing defenses.

While Örebro ‘s defense is second behind Carlstad  in points allowed, 24.8 as compared to 20.2, the Black Knights have by far the best defense against the run giving up only 79.8 yards a game. Carlstad allows 126.8.

If Örebro can survive the first half and stay close they have a chance. On the other hand, the Crusaders will be bound and determined not to let Yeldell be a factor which he was in the first game.

Watch the game live here.

Kickoff is 7:00 pm (1p EST) and the game is being broadcast live on CMore in Sweden (PPV) and shown in a tape delay at 10:20 pm on TV4.

Watch the game live (Pay per View) by clicking here.  The broadcast is “semi geo-restricted”. A Swedish credit/bank card is necessary. Click on the button that says “Standard Sport”. Then fill in your email address, name and password and click Skapa konto, Open account. Add your credit card number. You can choose two weeks for free “Prova 2 veckor gratis” or you can choose to watch a single  game. The game costs 99 Swedish kronor, or about $11 while a subscription is 199 kronor per month.