Swedish Season Kicks Off This Weekend: Who Will Topple the Carlstad Crusaders?
[tps_title]PREVIEW: Svenska Amerikansk Fotbollförbundet[/tps_title]
[tps_header]Västerås Roedeers[/tps_header]
This year’s newcomers, the Västerås Roedeers, have advanced from Sweden’s Division 1 without having lost a game in two years in the lower series. This will not make their elite journey any easier though.
Long-time coach Thomas Willen can count on team stability and there is no question this is an important factor for any football team.
The core group of players who helped the team reached the elite level are returning including running back Philip Haag who recorded more than 1,000 yards rushing in seven games last year. Quarterback James Boyd (UNLV) will give defenses fits because at 6’5″ and 250 lbs with a rifle for an arm he can run and pass. He played defensive end in college and could do so again for the Roedeers if they need him to do so.
The offensive line has been bolstered by the arrival of two Serbs from the Serbian championship team, Vukovi Belgrade – Nemanja Djordevic and Dusan Stosic – and Hungarian Zsolt Zetenyi. Teamed with brother Niklas and Robert Andersson, they give Boyd and Haag much needed support.
On defense, import Josh Smith (Southern Utah University) is an excellent addition to the secondary and can also play wide receiver. The linebacking corps includes veteran Patrick Edstam along with new arrival Oscar Lavesson (STU Northside Bulls). Add to this both defensive lineman Christer Gangstad and defensive back Sebastian Gauthier and the Roedeer’s defense can hold its own.
Nevertheless, this will be a learning year for Västerås, but if they surprise some people and win a couple of games, they could make life difficult for teams aiming to make the playoffs.
Watch their opening game against the Limhamn Griffins live here. Kickoff 3 PM local Swedish time (9 AM EDT).
