The playoffs have arrived in Sweden.
After a quick three game regular season, one playoff game will decide who will face the Orebro Black Knights in the Swedish Championship game. The two candidates are the 2020 defending champion Carstad Crusdaders, and the 2019 champs, the Stockholm Mean Machines.
These two teams met in the season opener a mere two weeks ago. The talented Swedish squads produced a thrilling 26-22 victory for Stockholm in front of their home fans.
Stockholm Mean Machines @ Carlstad Crusaders, July 3, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 09:00 am ET)
Carlstad’s quarterback Timothy Morovick is eager to get back the title game. As a member of the Mean Machines in 2020, he lost to Carlstad in a nail biter championship game. This year, the speedy quarterback transferred to Carlstad, joining the defending champions in hope of winning Sweden’s coveted championship. He will have to play well today against his former team in order to earn another chance at the title.
Carlstad’s head coach, BD Kennedy, has perhaps the country’s best defense, anchored by linebacker Mattias Erickson who leads a fierce front seven that matches up well with a physical Stockholm offensive line. Defensive back and 2020 Swedish Bowl MVP Darius Lewis will continue to play with passion as he searches for his second Swedish championship.
Stockholm’s week one win over the Crusaders did them no good as they fell 33-20 to the Orebro Black Knights the following week. In an interesting move, the Mean Machines picked up talented Austrian receiver Dario Dabrolevski. Dabrolevski made the move from Spain to Turkey, only to have his season there be cancelled. He quickly jumped at the chance to help out a Stockholm squad with championship pedigree, scoring a touchdown last week in his Mean Machines debut. Canadian quarterback Brett Hunchak will look to target the new receiver along with veteran Matthew Retzlaff.
Defensively, Stockholm linebacker Niko Knoblauch brings physicality and toughness to this squad. German defensive tackle Alexander Kress’s play will be vital as the Mean Machines cannot let Morovick operate unchecked.
As any fan of the Swedish Superserien will tell you Carlstad versus Stockholm rivalry always lives up to the hype. These teams have produced some instant classics during the past two season and fans can expect nothing less today with a ticket to the championship game on the line.
Watch the game live here. Stockholm Mean Machines @ Carlstad Crusaders, July 3, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 09:00 am ET).
Carlstad Crusaders roster
Stockholm Mean Machines roster
