This weekend in Stockholm, the Uppsala 86ers will be visiting the Stockholm Mean Machines as the Swedish Superserien heads into the final two rounds of play.
This game will be a first and worst place matchup as the Mean Machines are undefeated and the 86ers are winless. This is a chance for the Mean Machines to showcase their young talent and fix small mistakes before the playoffs. While the 86ers will have a chance to shock the Swedish football community with a huge upset.
In major news, the Mean Machines signed wide receiver and defensive back Alpha Jalloh this week. Jalloh just finished his season in Finland where he was one of the most exciting players in the league for the Wasa Royals. Jalloh knows the Mean Machines well as he played for them in 2019 helping them secure their second straight title. He and the Mean Machines are looking to win the title together again this season.
Alpha Jalloh on being back in Stockholm:
“Everyone who knows me in Europe knows that Sweden is home for me. It’s good to be going back home. Coach Pilbäck is a great man and great coach because he is very organized and professional. I built a good chemistry with the guys here last year and Gold is all we talk about in Stockholm.”
Uppsala 86ers @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Sept. 19, 14:45 CET (08:45 ET)
Another new addition for the Mean Machines is Benjamin Egbudiwe, a Swedish defensive lineman who also just finished playing in Finland for the Helsinki Wolverines. Egbudiwe was a key part of a Wolverines defense that made it all the way to the championship game. His presence will certainly be felt by opposing quarterbacks. Last week Stockholm played quarterback Jan Weinreich in place of Timothy Morovick. Weinreich threw for 251 yards in a game against Orebro Black Knights. Stockholm sat a lot of their starters for their last game. We will see what their strategy will be this week against a struggling Uppsala team.
Uppsala goes into this game after another tough loss to the Carlstad Crusaders this week. Look for athlete Josh Akena to be all over the field for the 86ers. Akena has been a great player for the Mean Machines in the past, helping them win the title last season. Look for him to want to play well against his former team. Akena on the matchup with his former team:
“I’m excited to play against the old team. There are a bunch of new faces on the squat so it’s not really like facing the old team, but fun none the less….Even though we won the national championship together back in 2019, the Mean Machine know it’s all business when we face each other on the field.”
Uppsala and Stockholm will be a good opportunity for young players on both sides to gain experience. Look for the Mean Machines to be fine tuning strategies for the playoffs while the 86ers will be looking to get better and gain more confidence and experience.
Watch the game live here. Uppsala 86ers @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Sept. 19, 14:45 CET (08:45 ET)
Uppsala 86ers roster
