The Swedish Women’s Championship Game will pit the champions of the past four years as the defending and back-to-back champions, the Carlstad Crusaders will play host to the 2016/2017 champions, the Örebro Black Knights.
The unbeaten Carlstad Crusaders will face the Örebro Black Knights in the Swedish Women’s Championship Game Saturday, October 24 in Karlstad, Sweden.
This is a clash between the two teams that have won the last four Swedish titles. Carlstad captured the crown in 2018 and 2019 while the Black Knights were Swedish champions in 2016 and 2017.
Carlstad enters the game as heavy favorites have rolled through league play unbeaten. The downed the Black Knights 39-2 and 22-6 in the two games between the two teams this year. Both teams disposed of the Arlanda Jets in the final two games of the year. Örebro is a far different team than they were to open the season. They lost to Arlanda 7-0 six weeks ago only to shut them out 18-0 two weeks later after the addition of a few import players.
For the Crusaders, one of the keys will be quarterback Sydney Green from Great Britain who has thrown for 574 yards and 7 touchdowns in four games while rushing for 60 and two more scores. Her key target has been receiver Linda Johansson with 22 catches for 251 yards and 3 TDs. Slot receiver Karen Ullen was Carlstad’s leading rusher, mostly from the wildcat, with 20 carries for 272 yards, which means she averages 13.6 yards a carry! Anna Hedström is the starting RB and rushed for 195 yards and 2 TDs while picking up 145 yards in the air. Linebacker Gaby Knops also doubles as a running back and carried the ball 18 times for 176 yards (9.6 yards/carry).
Although the Crusaders are considered to be the clear favorites, that’s news to Carlstad head coach Olof Folkunger:
“Honestly I haven’t thought that much about us being heavy favorites. Our mindset is the same regardless. Every game is up to us and what we make if it. It comes down to doing our job every play and take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.
“We need to be assignment sound, play one play at the time for 48 minutes and not get ahead of ourselves. Obviously it comes down to minimizing their big plays as well as our own mistakes.
During the game we must be mentally strong and make sure we focus on the task at hand.”
Örebro relies heavily on receiver/ball carrier Luna Schytz and with German quarterback Julia Schlatow they have become and potent offensive duo. Running back Izabel Burger, also from Germany, gives the Black Knights firepower in the backfield.
Defensively, Örebro is led by linebacker Sara Lidner, a homegrown product along with defensive tackles Johanna Aspenberg and linebacker Isabella Pelonzi from Rome’s Lazio Marines.
Örebro Black Knights head coach Per Larsson:
“Going into the final as peoples underdog has giving us that extra fuel. Carlstad has everything to lose and we have everything to win. We have had all week focusing on our plays, improving the timing and coverages. Because the key in the game is holding mistakes to a minimum.
“In the last game between these teams, the mistakes were the difference. So be sure that the Örebro Black Knights will be ready for this battle and winning the war. The Crusaders will have the advantage of playing at home for this game.”
Watch the game live here. Swedish Women’s Championship: Örebro Black Knights @ Carlstad Crusaders, Oct. 24, 11:00 CET (05:00 ET)
Click images to enlarge
Carlstad Crusaders roster
Örebro Black Knights roster
