LIVESTREAM PPV: Sweden Semifinals – Örebro Black Knights @Stockholm Mean Machines, Sat. June 29, 3p CEDT (9a EDT)

| American Football | 06/29/2019

The undefeated Stockholm Mean Machines (6-0) will get ready to defend their Swedish title Saturday, June 29 when they play host to the Örebro Black Knights at Zinkendamms IP in Stockholm in the first semifinal.

This is the third meeting between the two teams this season, Stockholm won the first two games 23-7 and 28-7.

Entering this game, Örebro has lost five straight following an opening game 21-7 win over the Uppsala 86ers . They were shocked by the Carlstad Crusaders 46-0 and then were beaten 23-7 by Stockholm and 27-13 in the return game against Carlstad. A month ago, Örebro dropped a 25-6 decision to the Uppsala 86ers. Earlier this month, the Black Knights lost 28-7 to Stockholm.

Örebro quarterback Johnny Knox has returned from an injury he suffered in the first half of the loss to the Crusaders and which kept him out of the losses to Uppsala and Stockholm. Young Joel Isacson had taken his place. Also back and healthy is superb Finnish running back Veikka Lehtonen. The Black Knights will also see the return of all-Swedish lineman Sebastian Nilsson along with young linebacker Edvin Jönsson who lines up beside older brother Filip and form an outstanding linebacking pair.

In their six games this season, the Mean Machines first stunned the eight-time champion Carlstad Crusaders 33-13 in the opening game of the Swedish season and then handed the Black Knights a 23-7 loss. They then downed Uppsala twice, 20-0 and 34-7. Following their 28-7 win over Orebro, they again surprised Carlstad, beating them by the almost identical score of 37-14.

The Mean Machines have played and lost two international games as well as they lost a close game to Finland’s Helsinki Roosters 21-19 five weeks ago in Helsinki and then dropped a 28-25 decision to the Copenhagen Towers.

During the regular season, quarterback Alex Thury has been the most consistent passer in Sweden throwing for a league-best 1,347 yards and 13 touchdowns. His wide receivers make up maybe the best receiving corps in Sweden. Alpha Jalloh finished the year with 284 yards receiving with Hans Maximilian von Wachsmann not far behind with 282 yards.  Omar Fall (183) and Per Lindelöf (184) are also keys. Jalloh is a wild card. He can explode at any time as he did against the Roosters when he hauled in 13 passes for 222 yards (of Stockholm’s 242 total) and two touchdowns.

With so many players returning from injury, the Black Knights could surprise.

Watch the game live here on Pay Per View (59 Swedish kr, $6.35). Orebro Black Knights @Stockholm Mean Machines, Sat. June 29, 3p CEDT (9a EDT)

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