The men’s quarter-finals will start today in Sweden whereas the women’s league, still has one regular season round left. Storvreta won the men’s regular season and IKSU has also already secured the women’s regular season victory.
Men’s quarter-finals
The teams placed 1-4 have selected their opponents and it is time for the first play-off matches. The quarter-finals as well as the semi-finals are played with a best of seven playing system. The Superfinal is played April 27th in the Ericsson Globe.
Storvreta (1st placed team) – Sirius (8th placed team)
These teams have never met in the play-offs. Storvreta has already won six Swedish championships, which is a record, and are the clear favourites to advance to the semi-finals. Sirius was only predicted to finish 12th in the regular season, so they have surprised everyone by making it to the play-offs.
Mullsjö (3rd placed team) – Växjö (6th placed team)
These teams have faced each other twice before in the play-offs and the victories are 1-1. Both teams have top players from Switzerland: Tim Braillard (Mullsjö) is facing his national team teammates Manuel Maurer and Manuel Engel.
Linköping (4th placed team) – Dalen (5th placed team)
These teams have met each other twice before in the play-offs and the victories are 1-1. Both teams have played in the finals, but have never yet won. The Dalen goalie, Måns Parsjö-Tegnér, has played a fantastic season in the SSL. The 39-year old Norwegain talent, Ketil Kronberg, has been very good at scoring goals this season and will try to help Dalen make it to the semi-finals.
Falun (2nd placed team) – Pixbo (7th placed team)
These teams have met once in the play-offs and then Falun was the stronger team. But Pixbo is a team with 13 SSL medals. Falun is aiming for their 6th final in seven years. Daniel Calebsson, Pixbo captain, has won three WFC gold medals but is still chasing his first SSL gold. Emil Johansson (Falun) was the 4th best at collecting points in the regular season (26+44) and he is now the defender, who has collected most points during a men’s regular season in Sweden.
This is how the SSL coaches had predicted the regular season standings:
1. Storvreta IBK
2. IBF Falun
3. Linköping IBK
4. Mullsjö AIS
5. Växjö IBK
6. Pixbo Wallenstam IBK
7. IBK Dalen
8. FBC Kalmarsund
9. Jönköpings IK
10. FC Helsingborg
11. Höllvikens IBF
12. IK Sirius IBK
13. Lindås Rasta IBK
14. IBF Örebro
Women’s League
The last round of the women’s league will be played this Saturday (March 23rd). IKSU has however already secured their first place after regular season with 73 points.
Source & more information: Swedish Floorball Federation
