In the final regular season game of the 2023 Swedish Superserien, the number one team in the league and only undefeated squad, the Stockholm Mean Machines, will take on the Tyresö Royal Crowns to decide first place.
The Royal Crowns had opened the season by beating Carlstad 33-7 before downing the Örebro Black Knights 41-6. They then lost 31-13 to Stockholm before beating up on the Crusaders again, 39-0 and Örebro 37-14.
The Mean Machines have won five 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 four weeks ago. They handed Örebro another defeat a couple of weeks ago, beating them 30-26 after racing out to a 30-7 lead. Then they beat a shorthanded Carlstad Crusaders squad 33-6.
Watch live PPV. Stockholm Mean Machines @ Tyresö Royal Crowns, June 17, 17:00 CET (5 pm, 11 am EDT).
The Tyresö offense is run by quarterback Hamish McClure who leads the league in rushing with 299 yards on 3 9carries while throwing for 914 yards (third best in Sweden) and 14 touchdowns against only two interceptions. His top receiver, Edvin Almeida is third in the league with 25 catches for 368 yards and seven touchdowns. Royal Crowns running back Oliver Coleman, who has appeared in just two games is the second leading rusher behind McClure with 38 carries for 246 yards (82 yds/game) and a score. In the previous game against Stockholm, Coleman rumbled for 134 yards on 18 carries.
The Mean Machines winning streak is clearly a team effort, but the outstanding play of quarterback Mark Pappas has also been a difference maker. Not only does he top the league in passing yards (1,471), but he is also tied for the second most passing touchdowns (10). Add to that the fact that he has thrown just one interception. The Royal Crowns defense has to find a way to get pressure on him.
Look for Stockholm and Pappas to continue their dominance in the air. Stockholm also has three receivers in the top seven of league receiving yards. This includes Matthew Retzlaff (436), Anton Blomgren (393) and Robin Gavelin-Miranda (196).