LIVE STREAM: NEFL – ‘Do or Die’ as Carlstad Crusaders host London Warriors (1p CEST, 5a EDT)

| American Football | 05/06/2017

The Carlstad Crusaders enter unknown territory Saturday when they host Britain’s number one team, the London Warriors in a do-or-die game in the Northern European Football League at Tingvalla field in Karlstad. They face a must win situation.

In fact, this is a must win for both teams. The winner advances to the NEFL final against the Helsinki Roosters.

Both teams have shaped dynasties in their own rights although they would both be loathe to admit it.

The Crusaders have won the Swedish crown seven straight times and have built a foundation based on grassroots football. The Warriors have captured four consecutive Britbowls relying on products of their own program.

Carlstad disposed of the Copenhagen Towers from Denmark 25-8 after building a 25-0 lead.  The Warriors had a tougher time of it two weeks ago and had to come from behind to beat the Towers in London.

Crusaders quarterback Philip Juhlin leads a potent offense which has averaged 50 points a game in the Swedish league in four games. Quarterback Philip Juhlin is highly mobile with four excellent receivers led by Jacob Dahre and Marcus Johnsson. New import receiver Alpha Jalloh (Liberty University) will see his first action since arriving in Sweden earlier this week. The offensive line is led by  Niklas Johansson, offensive lineman of the year in 2016. Import Chris Weeks who also arrived in Sweden in time for this game will make an already tough line even better.

Defensively, Carlstad is anchored by linebacker Christian Kuylenstjerna as well as defensive lineman Olof Flemström.

The Warriors offense has scored 84 points in two games in the Premiership in Great Britain and has looked as efficient as ever. The team went undefeated in 2016 and are off to a 3-0 start including the win over Copenhagen. The question is how well they will handle the road trip. London played in Austria two years ago losing to the Swarco Raiders and then traveled to Frankfurt to lose a touch decision to the Galaxy.

Needless to say, this will be an interesting matchup. As usual, Warriors head coach Tony Allen has developed an aggressive, ball hawking defense coupled with a physical offense. This will be a true test for Carlstad.

Watch the game live by clicking the link here. Kickoff: Saturday May 6, 1 pm CET (5 am EDT)

Roger Kelly is an editor and a writer for AFI. A former PR Director the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League for 7 years, he now lives in Sweden writing about and scouting American Football throughout the world.