LIVESTREAM Sweden: Carlstad Crusaders @ Stockholm Mean Machines, June 10, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)

| American Football | 06/10/2023

The Stockholm Mean Machines (4-0) will be looking to remain unbeaten as they play host to the Carlstad Crusaders (1-3) as the Swedish Superserien winds down.

The Mean Machines have won four straight including a last minute 9-6 win over Carlstad in the second week of the season. They had whipped the Örebro Black Knights 48-12 to open the season and then downed the Tyresö Royal Crowns 31-13 three weeks ago. They handed Örebro another defeat a couple of weeks ago, beating them 30-26 after racing out to a 30-7 lead. Carlstad has had an up and down season losing two straight to Tyresö (33-7) and Stockholm (9-6) before beating the Black Knights 28-21.

The story of the season for the Mean Machines has been the red-hot play of quarterback Mark Pappas. Not only does he top the league in passing yards (1,160), but he is also tied for the second most passing touchdowns (8). Pappas has also done a great job of keeping the ball out of defenders’ hands, only throwing one interception.

Look for head coach Fredrik Pilbäck and Pappas to continue their dominance in the air. Stockholm also has four receivers in the top eight of league receiving yards. This includes Matthew Retzlaff (337), Anton Blomgren (282), Erik Alex (138) and Robin Gavelin-Miranda (134).

Following a tough 39-0 loss to the Tyresö Royal Crowns in their most recent Swedish Superserien game, Carlstad replaced head coach Alex Burdette with Christian Forsman. Also, quarterback Dante Vandeven suffered a season ending injury just under a month ago and the team signed receiver/running back Hunter Belzo. Belzo starts at receiver but also serves as an emergency backup to young Swedish quarterback Albin Forsman.

Forsman has thrown for 353 yards in part time duty but has stepped up and taken over the starting role. Receiver Elias Rosenqvist leads the team with four catches for 125 yards and a touchdown while running back Viktor Toresson has 126 yards rushing to lead the team. On defense, linebackers Mattias Eriksson (29 tackles), Alex Gudding (22) and Canadian Rory Kelly (21) are the top three tacklers in the Superserien.

Although Stockholm is the favorite, Carlstad, under new head coach Forsman, could surprise.

Watch live PPV: Carlstad Crusaders @ Stockholm Mean Machines, June 10, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9am EDT).

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