Sweden’s Super Serien kicks off this weekend, with one game being played in Norway, as the Oslo Vikings play host to the Tyresö Royal Crowns this Saturday at Frogner Stadium. Both teams are expected to be contenders to play in the Super series Final at the end of the season.
THE BACKGROUND
Tyrsö Royal Crowns are a storied franchise in Sweden, but this is not story time. More recently, the Royal Crowns have been a team full of talent every season, since their return to the Super Serien in 2022. It’s common knowledge that the Tyresö area produces some of the best Swedish football players in the country, and the Royal Crowns have easy access to those players. Despite this access, Tyresö has shown to be very inconsistent in the previous two seasons in the Super Serien. The team has lost games when they were clearly the better team, normally due to unforeseen injuries or player participation issues. No matter the excuses, the level of talent of Tyresö Royal Crowns is always to be respected as one of the best in the league.
The Oslo Vikings are 15-time National Champions of Norway, including the previous 2023 season. Throughout their history, the Vikings have always competed internationally in addition to their domestic league. Participating in the Scandinavian Cup in 2022 & 2023 allowed Oslo to play against 3 of their Super Serien opponents (Stockholm Mean Machines, Örebro Black Knights, Carlstad Crusaders), and helped them make the transition to the Super Serien for the 2024 season. Despite not defeating any of the Swedish teams in that span, the Vikings have proven they can compete with their Swedish counterparts. Unfortunately, most of that Scandinavian Cup experience goes out the window in 2024, as they have to compete in a full Super Serien season this year.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sweden football is known for producing some of the best domestic players in Europe, and the Super Serien is a direct beneficiary of that production. In addition to great domestic talent, the Super Serien also attracts some of the top foreign players from around the world. The Oslo Vikings have a history of producing the top Norwegian players in the country, and also contract some of the best foreign players from across the globe. Here are a few key players to keep a look out for heading into this weekend’s matchup.
OSLO VIKINGS
Will Sewell (Linebacker)
Sewell is a physical specimen, entering his 3rd consecutive season with the Oslo Vikings. At 6’1, 230 pounds, the former defensive end will be playing linebacker this season. Sewell is inevitable on the field, his speed and relentless pursuit to the ball is second to none. Wearing his traditional #1 on the field, expect to see him involved in every play whether it be a run or pass attempt.
CJ Fowler (Quarterback)
Fowler is an experienced Euro-traveler having spent time with the Tychy Falcons (Poland) and most recently the Swarco Raiders (Austria) before joining the Vikings. He is battle tested in college having played for both Mississippi Valley State University (Division I) and Western New Mexico University (Division II) during his collegiate career. Fowler is a talented southpaw with a throw-first mentality, despite being an obvious dual-threat because of his athleticism and speed. CJ Fowler will be one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the Super Serien this year.
Linn Byrd (Wide Receiver)
Byrd is returning to the Vikings after being an integral piece to their offensive success in 2023. The athletic receiver is a great route runner with a great feel for the game, allowing him to create separation and give his quarterback an easy target to get the ball to. Byrd is expected to receive a lot of targets in this matchup.
Sigurd Stenseng (Linebacker)
Stenseng is 6’3, 205 pounds and resembles an NFL size cornerback! The young player is slated to be an outside linebacker for the Vikings and brings a very unique skill set to the position. Stenseng brings the thunder when making tackles, but possesses the athleticism to cover wide receivers like a nickel back when needed. His versatility allows the Vikings defense to be adjustable throughout the game without the need for constant personnel changes. Sigurd Stenseng will be moved all over the field and make plays from everywhere.
TYRESÖ ROYAL CROWNS
Kevin Börzsei (Wide Receiver)
Börzsei is currently one of the best receivers in Sweden. He has played on a few different teams in the Super Serien, so his reputation is well known, and defenders respect his ability each week. As expected, Börzsei is fast and runs very good routes, but what sets this player apart from his competition is his aggression. Börzsei has a hunger for the ball and high points it at all costs, and has been known to make miraculous catches look routine. If the ball is thrown to Kevin Börzsei, it is almost certain it will be a completion.
Jared Heywood (Quarterback)
Heywood is entering his first season in Europe, so a lot will be unknown about the young signal caller. He is coming from a college career playing at both University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Division I) and University of Rhode Island (Division I). What is known about Jared Heywood is his dual-threat ability that will have defenses scared every week.
Malcolm Engström (Defensive Lineman)
Malcolm Engström is easily one of the best defensive players in Sweden. The defensive lineman has a large arsenal of defensive moves to defeat opposing players, and will use them all if necessary. His ability to win matchups in the trenches makes him a constant double team option for opposing offenses, but even that won’t stop Malcolm Engström from making plays.
MATCHUP ANALYSIS
There is not much analysis involved in this game, it’s all speculation. The Tyresö Royals Crowns are expected to be the more talented team in this matchup. Across the board, their roster is bursting with playmakers and all-star caliber players. The main concern for the Royal Crowns is what team will show up to Oslo? Will it be the talented roster that has become expected, or will it be a team full of excuses for why they didn’t play to their level? There is no real way to know until the game is played.
The Oslo Vikings will show up with everything they have. It has been well documented that the team has prepared hard during the offseason, including practice games against Swedish competition. The Vikings will have the luxury of playing this game at home, in a familiar environment in front of their supportive fans. The excitement and atmosphere combined should have the team in high spirits. But the game is played on the gridiron, and there is no way to determine if the Vikings talent will match what the Tyresö squad is capable of.
GAME OUTCOME
I believe the Royal Crowns should be considered the favorite to win this game. They possess all the necessary tools to defeat the Oslo Vikings, on paper. Good thing these games are not played on paper, because I believe that the Oslo Vikings are in a must-win situation to start their tenure in the Super Serien. I won’t be surprised by any outcome of this game, but I expect the Vikings to get home victory, and start the season 1-0.
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