The Stockholm Mean Machines begin defense of their Swedish Superserien title at home Saturday, April 6 when they face the Örebro Black Knights.
The Mean Machines enter their opening game of the 2024 season as heavy favorites to repeat. They have won four of the last six Swedish championships and reached the final every year since 2018.
The Black Knights reached the semifinals in 2023 but were eliminated by the Tyresö Royal Crowns. They are the 2021 champions and the last team to beat Stockholm in the title game.
These two teams faced each other twice in 2023 with Stockholm winning both games, 48-12 and 30-26.
Watch live here PPV. Örebro Black Knights @ Stockholm Mean Machines, April 6, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)
The Mean Machines under head coach Fredrik Pilbäck, have signed a new quarterback for 2024 as Mateo Renteria steps in behind center. A four year starter at the College of Wooster (NCAA Div. III) he set school records and in his four years threw for 10,614 yards and 78 touchdowns. He spent the 2023 season as quarterback and offensive coordinator for the Saint-Ouen Cougars in France’s top league. He is joined in the backfield by national team running backs Oliver Stedt and Kasper Wedberg. Stedt is returning for another season with the Mean Machines while Wedberg is new to the team after spending the last four seasons with the Black Knights helping them win the title in2021.
Örebro head coach Sam Eisenstadt will be relying on 6’6″, 220 pound 28-year-old quarterback Trevor Vasey who was the third leading passer in the league last season having thrown for 980 yards and nine touchdowns. This will be Vasey’s fourth season with the Black Knights. He led the team to the title in 2021. Wide receiver Johannes Lindeus will be a key target for Vasey as will his brother Jesper Lindeus. Defensively, British rush end Lewis Minns (Solent Thrashers) will anchor the front seven.
This will be an excellent test for both teams.