The Örebro Black Knights (0-1) will face the Oslo Vikings (0-1) this weekend, as both teams aim to win their first Super Serien game of the 2024 Season. With both teams suffering convincing losses in their season openers, this game doesn’t have a clear favorite, making it an exciting matchup.
BACKGROUND
These two teams have history with each other, having played twice in last year’s Scandinavian Cup. Örebro were winners of both games, winning 21-13 & 37-7 at both away and home games, respectively. As much as spectators would like to believe that these two teams' history has some impact on this game, real football enthusiasts know 2023 is not the same as 2024. Both of these teams are coming off tough losses, and will try to get back on track this weekend.
Last week the Örebro Black Knights suffered a tough 39-18 loss to the Stockholm Mean Machines. In a game that was 21-18 in favor of Stockholm at halftime, the Black Knights were unable to keep up with their opponents scoring prowess in the second half. The Örebro Black Knights offensive line was unable to protect their quarterback throughout the game, and gave their running backs no help in the ground game.
The Oslo Vikings were dominated 56-37 by the Tyresö Royal Crowns in a game full of highs and lows. The Vikings came back from a 28-7 deficit to make the game 28-21, before the Royals Crowns took over all aspects of the game. Fortunately, the Vikings offense never quit, and continued to put up points throughout the game. Their defense provided no solutions to the Tyresö offense, outside of the mini comeback that was quickly forgotten by the end of the game.
Key Players to Watch
Here are a few key players to keep a look out for heading into this weekend’s matchup.
OSLO VIKINGS
Will Sewell (Linebacker)
6 tkls, 1 tfl
Sewell led his team in tackles in their season opener, but wasn’t able to make the big impact on the game that was expected of him. Nonetheless, the Vikings Linebacker is still the most dangerous players on their defense. If the Vikings can use Sewell’s talents situationally to their advantage, he could be a huge factor in success for them this week.
CJ Fowler (Quarterback)
15/28 (54%), 204 yds, 2 tds / 23 rush yds, 2 tds
Fowler put on a great performance in his Super Serien debut last week. The signal caller scored 4 touchdowns (2 passing, 2 rushing) for his team, and kept his team’s spirit high in a tough loss. This week he can be expected to have a similar performance. If given time, the lefty will get the ball to his playmakers, and if pressured he has shown the ability to extend plays using his legs when necessary.
Matthew Snawder (Wide Receiver)
4 rec, 75 yds, 2 tds
Snawder is a big playmaker for the Vikings. The Slot receiver runs a variety of routes for them, and proved to be a scoring threat last week, finding the end zone twice for his team. Matthew Snawder is a favorite target of the Vikings quarterback, so wherever #3 is on the field, action will follow.
Anthony Thach (Running Back)
5 att, 43 yds, 1 td
This kid is not the starting running back, but is who everyone should be worried about. The youngster has incredible speed, field vision, and doesn’t like to be touched! Tackling him is a tall task for all defenders, and if the Vikings can work him into the game at key moments, he will have big play ability.
ÖREBRO BLACK KNIGHTS
Johannes Lindeus (Wide Receiver)
6 rec, 56 yds, 1 tds
Lindeus is the top target for the Black Knights and had a pretty average outing last week. I expect him to bounce back this weekend, and make a few more explosive plays for the Örebro team.
Trevor Vasey (Quarterback)
29/42 (69%), 324 yds, 3 tds
Vasey had a long day against the Mean Machines defensive line, and was still able to be surprisingly successful. The big quarterback has a strong arm and is deceptively athletic, making him poised for another big outing this week.
Cewin Eriksson (Defensive Back)
6 tkls, 1pbu, 1 int
Eriksson is a leader for the Black Knights defensive unit, and his play shows that. In addition to great coverage skills from the safety position, Eriksson is a sure tackler that will make plenty of plays for his team in the run game as well.
Sebastian Nilsson (Defensive Lineman)
3 tkls, 1.5 tfl, 1 sack
Nilsson will most likely be the biggest person on the field, and requires a double team at all times. Despite the double team tactic, this defensive lineman will be an integral part of the Black Knights defense shutting down the run game and creating pressure against the quarterback. The Vikings quarterback should be warned, Nilsson is really fast for a defensive lineman, and hits pretty hard too.
Victor Lindberg (Linebacker)
3 tkls
Lindberg is a sideline to sideline player who always gets to the ball. Last week he was consistently around the ball, whether it was making a tackle, pressuring the quarterback, or forcing a ball carrier into his teammates. The glue of the Örebro defense, Lindberg will have a chance to make lots of plays in this matchup.
Matchup Analysis
This game is more evenly matched than the opponents both teams played against in week one. The Örebro Black Knights have the home field advantage in this game, and that could be beneficial if this game has any momentum type of plays. The Black Knights offensive unit should be able to have more success against the Vikings defense, which does not have the same strength in their defensive line play. This should allow us to see the Örebro team utilize their running game, instead of relying on another 40+ passing attempt performance from quarterback Trevor Vasey.
The Örebro defense is in for another tough matchup, especially their secondary. While the Vikings might not have the same caliber of receivers as the Mean Machines, their quarterback is comfortable moving around to get his teammates open. Some of the Mean Machines biggest plays against the Black Knights came when their quarterback had to extend plays, and the Örebro coverage could not hold for the extra time.
The Oslo Vikings have to feel pretty good after scoring 37 points in their season opener. The offense showed flashes of greatness, despite seeming very calculating in the play-calling selections. In this matchup, their opponents won’t force them to execute perfectly to be successful, so I expect to see some aggressive plays called at game changing moments to give the Vikings a better chance to win this game. If their offensive line is able to protect the quarterback, it could be a long day for the Örebro defensive backs.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Vikings will have to show a much better version of themselves than what everyone saw in Oslo against the Tyresö Royal Crowns. The Vikings didn’t do much to be optimistic about in that matchup, so it’s difficult to assume they will have much success against the Black Knights. If I were to make a hopeful speculation, it would be that the Vikings defensive line would be able to slow the run game, and force Örebro into a passing only offense. Although that plays into the Black Knights strength, it’s a strength the Vikings can better prepare for than an unknown run game.
Who Will Win?
I expect this game to be a real shootout. Both offenses are very talented, and both defenses have some vulnerabilities that could allow points to be made, often. The Black Knights’ defense might allow some big plays in the game, but ultimately they should be able to contain the Vikings run game enough to give their team the win. I don’t have much faith in the Vikings defense being able to make enough stops or create turnovers to keep them in the game.
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