Its playoff week in Sweden! The top seeded Stockholm Mean Machines are hosting the Uppsala 86ers. The Mean Machines enter the playoff with a 5-1 record while the 86ers have yet to win a game this year. Stockholm beat Uppsala twice this season with a combined score of 75-14. But it’s the playoffs and all that doesn’t matter anymore, the winner of this game will be in the championship.
Uppsala has been improving week to week this season. Last time out they played their best game of the year losing to the Orebro Black Knights 13-7. This was a hard fought game where we saw the potential for the 86ers team flash. Defensively, Uppsala played great football in the second half of that game shutting out the Black Knights and blocking two field goals. Uppsala also added defender William James who was unable to play in the final regular season game but should be ready for this playoff game. James is a native Swede who is coming off a season in Finland with the Helsinki Wolverines, helping them reach the final. He finished the year as the second leading tackler in Finland’s Maple League. he played in Germany for the Dresden Monarchs, and the US. He is an excellent tackler who will help bolster this defense. On the other side of the ball, Uppsala fans have been pleasantly surprised with the growth of quarterback Viktor Ekberg. Ekberg threw a touchdown last week, and is second in the league in passing yards per game this season. Ekberg’s improvement along with the 86ers development has been impressive to see as the season has wore on. 86ers RB/LB Josh Akena had some thoughts on the team progress this season:
“I’d say our progress is due to the will to work together and being less passive in our play. Our focus and attention to details increases every week.”
Uppsala 86ers @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Oct. 10, 15:00 CET (09:00 ET)(Geoblocked in Sweden)
Stockholm comes into this game trying to get back on track after losing their first game of the season two weeks ago against the Carlstad Crusaders. The Mean Machines were shocked after losing 20-0 to their bitter rivals. The Mean Machines still have statistically the leagues best offense even after being shut out last week, averaging 29 points per game. The offense is led by quarterback Timothy Morovick, who has amassed 13 total touchdowns in only four games. Morovick’s ability to run and find play makers like Alpha Jalloh, Ben von Jagow, and the league’s leading rusher running back Timmy Goransson could be the difference in the game. These playmakers behind a strong Stockholm offensive line lead by British import Keanu Ebanks may be able to put up more points than the 86ers can handle. Athlete Alpha Jalloh on the Matchup:
“Moving forward we know we are a high scoring offense, we are an explosive offense, we just have to finish our drives, and execute our game plan. We got some things up our sleeve for the future. The 86ers are no team to sleep on!”
On paper this looks like an easy win for the Mean Machines, but momentum can be a cruel mistress. Right now Stockholm’s momentum is low after losing their regular season finale. Uppsala’s confidence must be high after playing a much improved game against Orebro in week 6. And it’s the playoffs.
Watch the game live here. Uppsala 86ers @ Stockholm Mean Machines, Oct. 10, 15:00 CET (09:00 ET). The game is geoblocked in Sweden.
Stockholm Mean Machines roster (click image to enlarge)
Uppsala 86ers roster (click image to enlarge)
