LIVESTREAM PPV: Carlstad Crusaders @ Stockholm Mean Machines, May 18, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am EDT)

AFI | American Football | 05/18/2024

The unbeaten Carlstad Crusaders (5-0) travel to Stockholm, Saturday May 18 to take on the undefeated Stockholm Mean Machines (4-0) in the most anticipated game in the Swedish Superserien this season.

The Mean Machines won both games between the two in 2023 and in fact have not lost to Carlstad since 2020.

The Mean Machines opened their 2024 season in the Swedish Superserien with four straight wins after beating the Örebro Black Knights 39-18, the Limhamn Griffins 44-14 and the Kristianstad Predators 41-18 and the Oslo Vikings 34-21 . Four weeks ago, Stockholm downed the visiting British champions, the Manchester Titans, 44-14 in Central European Football League play and then last weekend lost a nail biter to the La Courneuve Flash 34-33.

The Crusaders whipped the Kristianstad Predators 42-6 to open the season and then got by the Tyresö Royal Crowns 24-21. Two weeks ago they manhandled the Oslo Vikings whipping them 41-6 at home and followed that up with a 42-0 throttling of AIK Stockholm. Last weekend they dominated the Limhamn Griffins 52-21.

Stockholm quarterback Mateo Renteria leads a potent offense. He has completed 55 of 78 passes for 834 yards and 12 touchdowns in the four games against only one interception. His favorite target is Matt Retzlaff who has caught 10 of those passes for 173 yards and three scores while running back Kasper Wedberg has 10 for 142 yards as well. The ground game is impressive led by Wedberg who has rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Renteria has rushed for 107 yards while David Ottander has 93 yards on 21 carries scoring two touchdowns.

For Carlstad, quarterback Slade Jarman (Fort Valley State, NCAA Div. II) as been outstanding and leads the league having thrown for 1,488 yards and 21 touchdowns against four interceptions. Albin Forsman is his favorite target and tops the league with 26 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns followed closely by Dutch receiver Willem Van Compernolle who has 31 catches for 415 yards and nine touchdowns. Finnish wideout Kristian Natunen (22 rec, 346 yds, 4 TDs) is fifth overall in the league. Running back Young Kennedy is the league’s top rusher having carried the ball 54 times for 407 yards and four scores.

This will be a game to remember.