LIVESTREAM Sweden: Örebro Black Knights @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Sept. 12, 14:45 CET (08:45 ET)

AFI | American Football | 09/12/2020

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic Photos: Stefan Akander, Jonas Domfors

The 1-2 Örebro Black Knights travel up the road to Stockholm Saturday to face the defending champion and unbeaten Stockholm Mean Machines (3-0) in the second game of a home and home series as Sweden’s Superserien heads into its second half.

Last week, Stockholm took advantage of miscues and turnovers to defeat the Black Knights 43-7 in Örebro.

In that game, Örebro’s turnovers were a contributing factor. Credit the Mean Machines defense though, by forcing fumbles, grabbing interceptions and denying a fourth down deep in Black Knights territory.

Stockholm pivot Tim Morovick has looked more and more comfortable in leading Stockholm’s potent offense and leads the league in passing (404 yds, 6 TDs) and rushing (153 yds, 3 TDs) accounting for nine of his team’s 15 touchdowns. His receiving corps led by Pär Lindelöf (147 yds, 2 TDs), Edvin Almeida Taborda (142 yds, 5 TDs) and Felix Grönqvist (116 yds) is tough for any secondary to cover. Stockholm running back Timmy Göransson has rushed for 121 yards so far.

All in all, an impressive package.

Still, Tim Morovick is aware that the team they will face today is not the same as the squad they beat handily last week:

“They have a very fast and physical defense. It will be a good test for us. Our defense was the reason we won last week so we need to step up and help them up.”

Örebro Black Knights @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Sept. 12, 14:45 CET (08:45 ET)

The Black Knights offense has operated in fits and spurts with starting quarterback Jake Sisson just back from a back injury he suffered in the first game of the year. He looked shaky at times last week behind constant pressure from the Stockholm front seven. Still, with running back Kasper Wedberg in the backfield, the second leading rusher in the league, he can start to rely on his running game. Expect Sisson to find his other receivers in this game with Jimmy Palmborg (9 rec., 93 yds, 1 TD) having been his go-to guy so far.

Jake Sisson says his team has put last week’s game out of their minds and are looking forward to this one:

“We feel we’ve had a very productive week of practice and that it’s going to be a much different football team than was on the field last weekend in Örebro.”

If the Black Knights can avoid handing Stockholm excellent field position this week they could surprise.

Watch the game live here. Örebro Black Knights @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Sept. 12, 14:45 CET (08:45 ET)

Stockholm Mean Machines roster (Click to enlarge)