May the 4th be with you as Sweden's Super Serien approaches its fifth week of competition. In three pivotal matchups, the league will start to take shape after games played this weekend. AIK (1-1) will host the Carlstad Crusaders (3-0), the Tyresö Royal Crowns (1-1) take on the Limhamn Griffins (1-2), and the Oslo Vikings (0-3) will face the Stockholm Mean Machines (3-0). Each of these matchups has their own relevance to the league standings, and even playoff seedings for some.
Contenders or Pretenders: AIK vs Carlstad Crusaders
The Carlstad Crusaders have dominated lesser teams so far this season (Kristianstad Predators, Oslo Vikings), and were able to win a tightly contested game against a quality opponent (Tyresö Royal Crowns). There is not much this team hasn’t seen as they prepare for their fourth game of the season.
Their counterparts do not have the luxury of 3 games played, as AIK has only played in close games, losing the first (Kristianstad Predators) and winning the second (Limhamn Griffins). Both games were against teams with losing records, making their competitive experience limited as they get ready to face an undefeated Crusaders squad.
MATCHUP ANALYSIS
The Carlstad Crusaders offense has a lot of firepower. They currently lead the Super Serien in total offense, averaging 417 yards per game. Quarterback Slade Jarman has been able to spread the ball to his playmakers at receiver, as well as hand off the ball to one of the best running backs in the league. Receivers Willem Van Compernolle, Kristian Natunen, and Albin Forsman give the Crusaders three options that AIK has no one to match.
AIK’s defensive strength lies with its linebacker group led by veteran Joshua Akena. This group will be instrumental in slowing down the Crusaders rushing attack, which will be a heavy dose of running back Young Kennedy. Even if AIK is able to keep the rushing game to a minimum, they will not have much luck preventing the passing prowess of the Crusaders offense.
The Carlstad defense is formidable. Linebacker Mattias Eriksson is the leader of a group that plays sound defense and gang tackles their opponents. AIK has no real identity offensively, as they have mostly floundered in their first two games, scoring 20 points or less in each. The AIK offense relies on defensive penalties, and big plays to move the ball down the field. When their offense needs to move the ball with purpose, they often come up short, which can be expected against a good defense like the Crusaders.
KEY PERFORMERS
CARLSTAD CRUSADERS
#10 Slade Jarman (Quarterback) - 55/97 (57%), 826 yds, 10 tds, 4 int
#8 Young Kennedy (Running Back) - 37 att, 348 yds, 4 tds
#4 Willem Van Compernolle (Wide Receiver) - 20 rec, 288 yds, 5 tds
#11 Kristian Natunen (Wide Receiver) - 14 rec, 243 yds, 2 td
#12 Albin Forsman (Wide Receiver) - 12 rec, 246 yds, 3 tds
#1 Rory Kelly (Defensive back) - 9 tkls, 1 pbu
#32 Elias Rosenkvist (Defensive Back) - 8.5 tkls, 1 ff, 2 int, 1 pbu
#41 Lucas Hedberg (Defensive Lineman) - 8 tkls, 5.5 tfl, 4 sacks
#42 Mattias Eriksson (Linebacker) - 24.5 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 2 pbu, 1 int, 1 sack
AIK
#15 Carl Viktor Ekberg (Quarterback) - 17/40 (43%), 164 yds, 2 tds, 1 int
#24 Edgar Wallén (Running Back) - 35 att, 142 yds , 1 td
#3 Oliver Langlais (Wide Receiver) - 11 rec, 112 yds, 1 td
#4 Joshua Akena (Linebacker) - 13.5 tkls
#11 Gaston Gunnberg-Quérat (Defensive Back) - 7.5 tkls, 1 ff, 1 int
#54 Elias Segerlund (Defensive Lineman) - 4.5 tkls
GAME PREDICTION
The Carlstad Crusaders will win this game with ease. It will be interesting to see if they leave in their starters for the majority of the game, or rotate in their substitutes once the game is in hand. AIK will have to play extremely well to keep the game respectable on the scoreboard.
Getting Back on Track: Tyresö Royals Crowns vs Limhamn Griffins
Both the Tyresö Royal Crowns and the Limhamn Griffins are coming off losses that could easily have been wins. That gives each team its own motivation in this matchup, to prove that they deserve to be considered one of the better teams in the Super Serien.
The Tyresö Royal Crowns are arguably the most talented team in Sweden. At every position, they boast an elite player if not multiple all-star caliber teammates. Unfortunately, the Royal Crowns have been very inconsistent in their play through two games, a big reason for their one loss so far.
The Limhamn Griffins are betting on themselves each week. The former division 1 champions have foregone having American import players, but have instead decided to rely on their local talent each week. That local talent is very good, and combined with aggressive play calling has made the Griffins a formidable opponent each week. Similar to the Royal Crowns, inconsistency was their downfall in their last game, as a multitude of miscues ultimately cost them a chance to win.
MATCHUP ANALYSIS
There is no offense with more explosive playmakers than the Tyresö Royal Crowns. Quarterback Jared Heywood proves to be exceptional each week, making every possible throw in the process. His receiving corps is highlighted by the likes of Kevin Börzsei and Edvin Taborda, two players who turn their opponents into highlight reels with great catches and yards after catch abilities. Tyresö also has a young running back in Vilgot Valeskog who can score a touchdown every time he touches the ball.
The Limhamn Griffins group isn’t full of all-star players, but as a group they are aggressive and relentless. Linebacker Tim Erlandsson is usually the first player to the ball, but this matchup will more likely rely on the defense of the Griffins secondary unit. A notable standout in the secondary is Linus Lindström, who has proven himself to be one of the top pass defenders in the Super Serien so far. Even so, he will have his hands full trying to slow down the Tyresö Royal Crowns receivers, and his teammates will not be much help to him either.
The Tyresö Royal Crowns defense is great, but it’s also bad. When defensive linemen Malcolm Engström, Jatta Njie, & Gogi Vasic Brandt play to their full potential, no one can run the ball or avoid their pass rush pressure. Unfortunately, the trio is not always on the same page, and there are lapses in their production, which allows their opponents opportunities for success. This will be a point of relevance for the Griffins who primarily move the ball through using their dynamic running back Alexander Nesic. If the Royal Crowns allow Nesic any daylight, he will make them pay on the scoreboard.
The Griffins passing game is centered around receiver Olaf Nilsson, combined with Alexander Nesic out of the backfield. Limhamn utilizes unique ways to get Nesic the ball, and has Nilsson run devastating routes. Tyresö has a savvy ball hawk at safety named Joshua Hicks, so the Griffins play calls should not have a huge impact on the Royal Crowns secondary. Also Sebastian Johansson has made a case as a true lockdown cornerback, and will attempt to confirm that assessment in this matchup against Olaf Nilsson.
KEY PERFORMERS
TYRESÖ ROYAL CROWNS
#3 Jared Heywood (Quarterback) - 31/45 (69%), 473 yds, 8 tds, 2 int
#22 Vilgot Valeskog (Running Back) - 15 att, 136 yds, 2 tds
#5 Kevin Börzsei (Wide Receiver) - 11 rec, 231 yds, 3 tds
#8 Edvin Taborda (Wide Receiver) - 8 rec, 115 yds, 3 tds
#95 Malcolm Engström (Defensive Lineman) - 6 tkls, 1 int, 1 sack
#19 Joshua Hicks (Defensive Back) - 10.5 tkls, 2 int, 3 pbu
LIMHAMN GRIFFINS
#10 Samuel Jämthammar (Quarterback) - 29/61 (48%), 352 yds, 1 td, 1 int / 1 rush td
#4 Olaf Nilsson (Wide Receiver) - 12 rec, 192 yds, 2 tds
#6 Alexander Nesic (Running Back) - 45 att, 171 yds, 1 td / 2 pass att, 86 yds, 2 tds
#7 Linus Lindström (Defensive Back) - 13.5 tkls, 1 pbu
#54 Tim Erlandsson (Linebacker) - 10 tkls, 1 int
#57 Sone Valdin (Defensive Lineman) - 5.5 tkls, 1.5 sacks
GAME PREDICTION
On paper, the Tyresö Royal Crowns are the better team, but they have proven to be inconsistent so far this season. The Limhamn Griffins had a bad game against AIK last week, but if they execute similar to their matchup with the Örebro Black Knights, they could give the Royal Crowns a real challenge. Ultimately, I believe the Tyresö Royal Crowns will win this game, and try to use it as an opportunity to get back on the winning track.
Anything Could Happen. . . But it Won’t: Oslo Vikings vs Stockholm Mean Machines
The Oslo Vikings and Stockholm Mean Machines are trending in opposite directions before this matchup. The Mean Machines are getting more dominant each week, and used their bye week to tune up an international opponent (Manchester Titans). The Vikings have gotten considerably worse each week since their Super Serien opener, including last week’s disappointing performance (41-6 loss to Carlstad Crusaders).
MATCHUP ANALYSIS
The Oslo Vikings were missing all of their key offensive starters last week, so it’s very difficult to know what to expect this week. If their original personnel are available for this game, they will have opportunities to keep the game respectable. Quarterback CJ Fowler is a talent at the position, and has been consistent in his two performances so far. Using his legs to extend plays will give his receivers a chance to find holes in the Mean Machines defense. The Stockholm defense is susceptible to a good passing attack that requires extended coverage by their secondary. Despite this weakness, the Mean Machines pass rush, led by defensive lineman Sebastian Diakiti, will be too much for the Oslo Vikings offensive line and result in plenty of sacks or pressure forced throws.
The Stockholm Mean Machines offense is talented, and has incredible depth. Centered around running back Kasper Wedberg, the Mean Machines offense is well balanced between the run and pass, as well as between everyone getting the ball. Quarterback Mateo Renteria distributes the ball to equally receivers Matt Retzlaff, Anton Blomgren, Robin Miranda, & Isac Lilleberg with none of the group having more than 10 catches through 3 games. That type of equality makes it very difficult to key in on any one player, in addition to the Stockholm Mean Machines having two more running backs in Oliwer Stedt and David Ottander who also get touches. It's an overwhelming plethora of options for the Mean Machines that the Oslo Vikings defense is not equipped to match up against. It should also be mentioned that their offensive line group is among the best in the Super Serien this season, and the Oslo Vikings’ defensive front could be considered the worst.
KEY PERFORMERS
OSLO VIKINGS
#12 CJ Fowler (Quarterback) - 26/58 (45%), 354 yds, 3 tds, 2 int / 2 rush tds
#8 Rune Nilsen (Running Back) - 28 att, 77 yds, 1 td
#3 Matthew Snawder (Wide Receiver) - 6 rec, 88 yds, 2 tds
#15 Niklas Fengler (Wide Receiver) - 8 rec, 124 yds
#1 William Sewell Jr (Linebacker/Running Back) - 15 tkls, 3 tfl, 1 sack, 2 pbu, 1 ff / 6 att, 47 yds, 1 td / 1 rec, 14 yds, 1 td
#10 Sigurd Stenseng (Linebacker) - 10.5 tkls
STOCKHOLM MEAN MACHINES
#9 Mateo Renteria (Quarterback)- 48/65 (74%), 632 yds, 10 tds, 1 int
#30 Kasper Wedberg (Running Back) - 34 att, 217 yds, 3 tds / 9 rec, 130 yds
#29 Oliwer Stedt (Running Back) - 12 att, 82 yds, 2 tds
#8 Matt Retzlaff (Wide Receiver) - 8 rec, 130 yds, 2 tds
#12 Anton Blomgren (Wide Receiver) - 3 rec, 78 yds, 1 tds / 5 pr, 76 yds / 1 kr, 69 yds
#2 Robin Miranda (Wide Receiver) - 7 rec, 82 yds, 3 tds
#5 Eric Bauroth (Linebacker) - 7 tkls, 1 ff, 1 pbu
#21 Adam Westin (Linebacker) - 8.5 tkls, 2.5 tfl, 1 sack
#99 Sebastian Diakiti (Defensive Lineman) - 11 tkls, 5 tfl, 3 sacks
GAME PREDICTION
The Stockholm Mean Machines will win this game in convincing fashion. Whether the score is close will be determined by the Vikings, but the Mean Machines are known to win without any care towards the style points expected from the top team in the country.
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