LIVESTREAM Sweden PPV: Kristianstad Predators @ Carlstad Crusaders, April 13, 14:00 CET (2 pm, 8 am EDT)

AFI | American Football | 04/13/2024

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

The Kristianstad Predators (0-0) travel to Karlstad Saturday to face the Carlstad Crusaders (0-0) in the first Swedish Superserien matchup of the season for both teams.

The Predators return to the Superserien for the first time since 2015 after a dominating season in Division 1 which saw them lose only one game and that to the Limhamn Griffins. The Crusaders on the other hand struggled through the 2023 season in the top league in Sweden finishing last with a 1-5 record after scoring only 47 points in the six games.

Carlstad has bolstered their roster with the signing of ELF veteran quarterback Slade Jarman. Jarman led the Berlin Thunder to the playoffs in 2023 for the first time in their history after replacing replacing injured starter Donovan Isom, throwing for 2,017 yards and 21 touchdowns. He had come over the Berlin from the Wroclaw Panthers where in 2022 he threw for 2,004 yards and 15 touchdowns in eight games. Jarman will have an excellent receiving corps including Finnish wideout Kristian Natunen and Belgian receiver Willem Vancompernolle. Defensively, Superserien MVP linebacker Mattias Ericksson anchors the front seven and Canadian defensive back Rory Kelly is a key in the secondary.

Kristianstad quarterback Myron Norfleet (Kentucky Wesleyan) returns for his second season with the team. Defensively, the front seven is anchored by linebacker Max Forsback who spent the last two seasons with the Berlin Rebels of the German Football League. In 2023, he was the second leading tackler on the team tallying 70 tackles.

Expect the Crusaders to come out fast playing in front of their home crowd. They will look to pressure Norfleet and the Predators offense early and often. Still, this one is a toss up.