LIVESTREAM Sweden: Kristianstad Predators @AIK, April 20, 12:00 CET (12 noon, 6 am EDT).

AFI | AIK | 04/20/2024

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

AIK (0-0) are playing their first game of the 2024 Swedish Superserien season when they play host to the Kristianstad Predators (0-1) Saturday, April 20 in Stockholm.

Newly promoted to the top league in Sweden, AIK will face their first test against another team who moved up from the second division in the Predators. Kristianstad suffered a tough loss last weekend in their first game back in Sweden’s top league since 2015 when they were trounced by the Carlstad Crusaders 42-6.

AIK spent nine seasons in the Superserien (2008-2016) but as the STU Northside Bulls before they were relegated to Division 1 again and became part of the AIK organization. Their best season was 2012 when they finished fourth with a 6-4 record and were eliminated in the semifinals by the Tyresö Royal Crowns.

AIK will enter the game with two quarterbacks, Max Lambert, who was a backup for the Stockholm Mean Machines in 2023, and Carl Östman who also served in a backup capacity with the Mean Machines. Defensively, they are led by veteran linebacker Joshua Akena who had a long history in the Superserien as a standout with the Uppsala 86ers. Akena can also step in at the running back spot.

Predators quarterback Myron Norfleet completed just 10 of 26 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown against the Crusaders. He will likely have an easier time of it today. Jakob Stenberg was his favorite target hauling in three of the passes for 62 yards and the lone score. Defensive lineman Axel Seth anchors the front seven for Kristianstad. He had four tackles in last week’s loss to Carlstad.