The Stockholm Mean Machines (1-0) play host to the Tyresö Royal Crowns (1-0) in a rare midweek game in the Swedish Superserien, Wednesday, April 13 at Zinkensdamm Field in Stockholm.
Both teams are coming off wins over the defending Swedish champions, the Örebro Black Knights. Stockholm defeated the Black Knights 26-23 on the opening day of the season and this past weekend, Tyresö exploded for 28 second half points to defeat Örebro 35-16.
Stockholm’s new quarterback Mark Pappas, Morehead State (Division 1-AA FCS), combined with former All American wide receiver Matt Retzlaff for two of the Mean Machines’ touchdowns as Pappas threw for 297 yards, 149 to Retzlaff. Running back Oliver Stedt also had an excellent game rushing for 96 yards and a touchdown and could cause headaches for the Royal Crown’s front seven. Wide receiver Johan Hallgren had 127 yards receiving and a touchdown and will give the Royal Crowns secondary some problems.
Stockholm QB Mark Pappas set to throw against Black Knights Photo: Stefan Akander
Defensively, linebacker Adam Westin was a standout for Stockholm with 10 tackles and he will be a problem for Tyresö quarterback Phil Juhlin. Combined with Finnish all-star, Roni Salonen, he anchors a formidable front seven.
For the Royal Crowns, the key is Juhlin. Although he only completed 11 of 19 passes for 143 yards, two of them were touchdown strikes. His favorite target is Edwin Taborda, who, although he only had two receptions for 88 yards last weekend, was dangerous all game. He scored one touchdown and has a knack for finding the end zone. Young running back Carl Lundberg rushed for 94 yards on four carries, but one was for 79 yards and a score. In other words, he can cause problems. Other key receivers for Tyresö include Niko Peterson, Mattias Gauthier and Dovydas “Dovve” Koncevicius.
Royal Crowns QB Phil Juhlin looking downfield Photo: Tyresö Royal Crowns
Linebacker Richard Liljestrand recorded 8.5 tackles and a sack to lead the Tyresö defense which held the Black Knights to a total of 167 yards of offense, including -10 rushing. Malcolm Engström is another formidable presence in the Royal Crowns front seven along with linebacker Ali Chakkour, who was recruited from Stockholm.
Although Tyresö had a triumphant return this past weekend to the Swedish top league after a five-year absence, they will be facing a Stockholm squad with something to prove on their home field. This will be an exciting game to watch.
Watch the game live here PPV. Tyresö Royal Crowns @ Stockholm Mean Machines, April 13, 19:00 CET (7 pm, 1 pm ET)
