The Tyresö Royal Crowns (1-1) will play host to the Carlstad Crusaders (0-1) as the Swedish Superserien heads into its fourth weekend of play.
The Royal Crowns are coming off a tough 34-20 loss to the Stockholm Mean Machines after surprising the Örebro Black Knights 35-16 in their season opener. Carlstad fell 22-19 to the Black Knights in their first game, after holding a 19-0 halftime lead.
For the Royal Crowns, the key is quarterback Phil Juhlin. Although he struggled against Stockholm, completing only 3 of 10 passes for 45 yards, he can use his legs and is always dangerous. His favorite targets include Edwin Taborda, who has 98 yards in receptions in the two games, as well as Mattias Gauthier, Niko Peterson and Dovydas “Dovve” Koncevicius. Young running back Carl Lundberg has rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns and can cause problems.
Linebacker Richard Liljestrand has recorded 12.5 tackles and a sack in last week’s loss to Stockholm, Victor Benerius Frank stood out with his 10 tackles eight of which were solo. Malcolm Engström is another formidable presence in the Royal Crowns front seven along with linebacker Ali Chakkour, who was recruited from Stockholm.
The Carlstad Crusaders under head coach Daniel Holmgren, will stil be smarting after allowing the Black Knights back into last week’s game. Quarterback Tim Morovick threw for 212 yards and a touchdown but the man Tyresö will have to watch closely is receiver Kevin Börzsei who hauled in nine passes for 150 yards and a touchdown last week. The versatile Davarus Shores can cause problems for the Royal Crowns secondary as well. Running back Alexander Segerfeldt rushed for a modest 32 yards.
On defense, Per Gaarden led his team last week with eight solo tackles and an interception with Elias Rosenkvist not far behind with six. Veteran defensive lineman Olof Flemström leads a group that includes 20-year-old Adam Classon and Linus Lindberg, both Team Sweden selections. The linebacking unit is anchored by Mattias Eriksson, while in the secondary, both Shores and Börzsei will be doing double duty.
Watch the game live here. Carlstad Crusaders @ Tyresö Royal Crowns, April 23, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11:00 am ET)
