Sweden’s Super Serien kicks off this weekend with the reigning champs, Stockholm Mean Machines, hosting the Örebro Black Knights this Saturday at the Zinkensdamms IP. Both teams are accustomed to winning, but someone has to lose this week.
Two Historic Teams Clash
As for any season opener, there are a lot of unknowns, but one thing is for sure, these two teams will compete at a high level. The Mean Machines have appeared in each of the last 6 Super Serien Finals, winning four. Most recently, the Stockholm team has won back-to-back Super Serien titles, going undefeated in both the 2022 & 2023 seasons. It goes without saying, but they are the heavy favorites to win the league this season, following such dominance.
The Örebro Black Knights are not to be slept on. Despite a disappointing 2023 campaign, the Black Knights have recently appeared in two Super Serien Finals, defeating the Mean Machines in 2021 for their most recent Super Serien title. Coincidentally, Örebro has reclaimed the Head Coach from that team to lead them into the 2024 campaign.
As much as the history of these two teams is important to their legacy, it means NOTHING coming into week 1 of this season. Football games are played on the field, and these two teams will find out who is better on Saturday.
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. Here are a few key players to keep a look out for heading into this weekend’s matchup.
STOCKHOLM MEAN MACHINES
Kasper Wedberg (Running Back)
It could be confusing for Super Serien fans to see Wedberg’s name under the Stockholm Mean Machines list instead of the Black Knights. Wedberg has been a consistent playmaker for the Black Knights in the past, but now dons the Navy and Red.
Weberg is considered the “bowling ball” type of running back, mostly because of his short, yet stocky stature. And true to the prototype, Wedburg punishes defenders with his low center of gravity, and creates great velocity with the ball in hi shand, making him difficult to tackle.
Mateo Renteria (Quarterback)
Renteria played his college career at the College of Wooster Fighting Scots (Division 3), where he broke school records for passing yards and touchdowns. He spent last season with the Saint-ouen Cougars in the French Elite Division 1. I don’t know much about his skillset, but Mateo Renteria has stats suggesting he can sling it!
Matthew Retzlaff (Wide Receiver)
Retzlaff is one of the best receivers in Europe. He possesses the ability to play slot receiver as well as outside receiver, making it nearly impossible to accurately game plan for him. Retzlaff is also a great route runner, allowing him to make plays in a variety of ways. Physically the receiver has elite speed, great field awareness, and his hands are more reliable than a 2004 Toyota Corolla.
Aleksi Olavuo (Defensive Lineman)
The Finnish Olavuo has college experience from the United States (American International College) and was a standout for the Helsinki Wolverines in Finland’s Maple League. At more than 260 pounds, Aleksi Olavuo is a big body lineman with exceptional athleticism. His speed and quickness off the ball help him to be more than a run stopper, and make him a mismatch against most offensive linemen.
Denny John (Defensive Back)
Denny John is a veteran with a great football IQ. John makes plays without making plays. By putting himself in the right spot on the field, he prevents offenses from executing big plays based on his positioning. Whether it's run support or deep field coverage, Denny John will be there, making sure his defense has the best chance to stop opposing offenses. At his age, his interception rate has fallen, but he still has a great knack for being around the ball.
ÖREBRO BLACK KNIGHTS
Johannes Lindeus (Wide Receiver)
Lindeus is #1 on the field, usually both literally and figuratively. The receiver has blazing speed, and great hands. His ability to leave defenders once he has the ball in his hands makes him a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball.
Trevor Vasey (Quarterback)
Vasey has NFL quarterback size, standing at 6’5 and weighing around 225 pounds, combined with a rocket attached to his shoulder. The big quarterback is deceptively athletic and can use his legs when the moment calls for, making him difficult for defenders to contain or sack. The most important aspect of Vasey’s gameplay is his decision making ability. Trevor Vasey is great at taking care of the football, and even better at getting it into the hands of his teammates to make big plays for the Black Knights
Cewin Eriksson (Defensive Back)
Eriksson is considered one of the best domestic defensive backs in Europe. The young star was a part of the 2021 Black Knights team that won the Super Serien title, and returns this season after playing internationally. Cewin Eriksson plays exactly as you would expect from a young 6’1, 175 pound defensive back, but what sets him apart is his football IQ. It's easy to tell that Eriksson is a student of the game, as he is often better at running routes than the receivers he is guarding. I expect the former Defensive Back of the Year to be a difference maker all season.
Sebastian Nilsson (Defensive Lineman)
Sebastian Nilsson looks like a man amongst boys on the football field. The 6’5 defender is easily over 275 pounds and towers above most players on the field. Nilsson has the expected strength that goes with a player of his size, but his speed and quickness is close to that of a running back, which makes him unstoppable on the field. Sebastian Nilsson demands a double team at all times, and when not given that type of attention, he will make the play. That is a fact, not an opinion.
Nasim Shaverdian (Defensive Back)
At 6’3, the converted cornerback is new to the Super Serien, having only appeared in a few Super Serien games last year. Shaverdian has not been properly tested in the top league, so it would be unfair to provide an analysis of his skills. What can be said is that his name has been a buzz all offseason as a potential breakout star, so watching him is a must.
Matchup Analysis
The Stockholm Mean Machines have made a change at the quarterback position, but it should be business as usual for the 2-time Champs. I expect to see a well balanced offense that will dictate the pace of the game to their liking. Stockholm will use their talented receiving corps to make the entire field available for the offense, while having a dynamic running game that will require the Black Knights to pick their poison.
Defensively, the Mean Machines will attempt to resemble last year’s formula, a suffocating front seven combined with excellent coverage and playmaking by the defensive backs unit. The addition of Aleksi Olavuo will ensure that run stopping is a priority, but Denny John & company are playmakers against the pass game as well.
The Örebro Black Knights will be slightly less predictable in this game. Offensively, it will be determined early if they are able to be balanced, as their running back situation is largely untested at this point. But what will not change is the passing attack led by quarterback Trevor Vasey and the Lindeus Brothers. If the run game is unsuccessful, Örebro is more than capable of scoring points on 40+ pass attempts.
The Örebro defense will be tested thoroughly in this matchup. Their secondary is good, but the Mean Machines receiving corps is GREAT. It will be seen very early if this group can compete with Stockholm’s talent, as Stockholm’s running prowess will eventually force them into man to man situations at various times throughout the game.
Who Will Win?
This game could be a 27-24 final drive, or it could be a 35-7 blowout. There are too many unknowns to make an educated guess, so I won’t even try. Nonetheless, all eyes will be on this game, as it represents the kickoff of an 8 team league in Sweden to the international community.
The Stockholm Mean Machines should be favored in this game, as they have been undefeated in their last two seasons of Super Serien play. They are largely returning the same team, with a few minor changes, which is a recipe for continued success. But the Black Knights have had a successful offseason and possess a talented roster that is more than capable of being a Super Serien contender. The winner of this game will be the team that is able to execute their style of play when the big moments arise. It will be interesting to see which of these two great teams comes out victorious.
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