Swedish Elitserien Round 1

[Anders]

SWEDISH ELITSERIEN ROUND 1

Tuesday April 27th 2010

 

Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow is the start of the 2010 Elitserien season. Four meetings takes place on Tuesday, with only newcomers Valsarna not in action on the night.

 

PIRATERNA - VARGARNA

at Biltema Arena, Motala

 

Already in the first round, the two rivals from the Östergötland region square off at Biltema Arena (formerly known as Lastpartner Arena). The home side missed out of the Play Off last season, despite going for gold, and to avoid a similar situation in 2010, they have acquired Greg Hancock and Maciej Janowski from Rospiggarna. With Hancock in the team, the Pirates have a stronger set-up towards the end, a rider that can win the crucial heats 14 & 16 on a regular basis.

 

The opposition from Norrköping proved to be a terrific newcomer to Elitserien last season, being underdogs before the season started, yet finished as silver medalists behind Lejonen. The Wolves management haven't done many changes to the winning formula from last year. Talanted Dane Michael Jespen Jensen has been acquired from Solkatterna, but he isn't in Tuesday's line-up, and despite his enormous talent, he will have a hard time to knock out Nicholls from a place among the seven.

 

LATE NEWS: Damian Balinski replaces Emil Sayfutdinov according to Piraterna's website.

 

Piraterna (home)

1. Greg Hancock

2. Maciej Janowski

3. Jonas Davidsson

4. Emil Sayfutdinov Damian Balinski

5. Antonio Lindbäck

6. Linus Sundström

7. Robert Kosciecha

( 8. Tomas Bäck )

 

Vargarna (away)

1. Adrian Miedzinski

2. Tai Woffinden

3. Krzysztof Kasprzak

4. Adam Skornicki

5. Adam Shields

6. Scott Nicholls

7. Kim Nilsson

( 8. André Hertzberg )

 

*-*-*

 

DACKARNA - VÄSTERVIK

at G&B Arena, Målilla

 

The perennial gold medal favourites Dackarna open up the league campaign against rivals Västervik. After sub-par seasons from Hans Andersen and Peter Karlsson in 2009, now all the star riders of Dackarna can fit under the 42.00 point limit, giving them the top candidate status of 2010. Replacing the former management duo of Morgan Andersson and Daniel Nelson, Mikael Karlsson and Jerker Eriksson will now be co-managers of Dackarna, one of the toughest manager positions in Sweden.

 

A change in management has been made in Västervik as well, with former Rospiggarna chief Mikael Messing now being in charged of a makeshift side from the beautiful summer town of Västervik. The team came close to bankruptcy in the winter, but managed to stay alive, and now they have quite some competition within the squad, with Nicolai Klindt, Rafal Okoniewski and Denis Gizatullin being left out of the opening line-up. Tuesday's opener could get ugly, but they could contend for the final Play Off spot in the final standing.

 

Dackarna (home)

1. Hans Andersen

2. Andreas Jonsson

3. Fredrik Lindgren

4. Peter Karlsson

5. Rune Holta

6. Ricky Kling

7. Ludvig Lindgren

( 8. Tim Gudmunsson )

 

Västervik (away)

1. Joonas Kylmäkorpi

2. Tomasz Jedrzejak

3. Chris Harris

4. Tomasz Chrzanowski

5. Tomasz Gollob

6. Robin Bergqvist

7. Peter Ljung

( 8. Robin Messing )

 

*-*-*

 

LEJONEN - INDIANERNA

at Axelent Arena, Gislaved

 

Broadcasted live on Canal+.

 

Two time champions Lejonen open up their defence of the gold medal against Indianerna, shown live on Canal+. Team manager Anders Fröjd has opted for the top heavy version of his line-up, including both Nicki Pedersen and Leigh Adams in the opening line-up, just like in the 2009 when they got beaten silly by Piraterna, losing 62-34. Artur Mroczka was acquired from Solkatterna in the only transfer period of this season, and his Elitserien debut will be one to follow with interest.

 

The Indians went to the semifinal stages last fall, but lost against Lejonen to end up with fourth place overall. From that line-up, both Jesper B Monberg and Rune Holta have gone separate ways, and Leon Madsen being a victim of a successful 2009 season, giving him a 6.40 starting average in 2010. Bjarne Pedersen and Niels-Kristian Iversen have both arrived from the financially challenged Västervik squad to give Indianerna a solid strength-in-depth look.

 

Lejonen (home)

1. Nicki Pedersen

2. Mikael Max

3. David Ruud

4. Chris Holder

5. Leigh Adams

6. Dennis Andersson

7. Artur Mroczka

( 8. Christian Agö )

 

Indianerna (away)

1. Bjarne Pedersen

2. Niels-Kristian Iversen

3. Grzegorz Walasek

4. Magnus Zetterström

5. Piotr Protasiewicz

6. Simon Gustafsson

7. Renat Gafurov

( 8. Niklas Eriksson )

 

*-*-*

 

ROSPIGGARNA - ELIT VETLANDA

at Orionparken, Hallstavik

 

The Hallstavik team had a hard 2009 campaign to finish last in the standing, with just half the points of the second to last team in the league. Only Ryan Sullivan remains from last year's squad, and he's taking on the role of team skipper in newly appointed team manager Mikael Teurnberg's squad. Wieslaw Jagus is obviously the best of the newcomers, with Ben Barker making his Elitserien debut.

 

Two of Rospiggarna's losses during the off season comes back to Orionparken in the opening round, as Janusz Kolodziej and junior Jonas Messing are now being a part of Elit Vetlanda's squad. Last year's bronze medalists once again rely on heat leaders Crump, Hampel and Richardson to produce the goods, but they may also have a couple of riders on bargain average this year. Martin Vaculik have started the season well for a 4.35 rider, not to mention Janusz Kolodziej on a 4.97 average...

 

Rospiggarna (home)

1. Jesper B Monberg

2. Sebastian Aldén

3. Wieslaw Jagus

4. Ben Barker

5. Ryan Sullivan

6. Anton Rosén

7. Kauko Nieminen

( 8. Pontus Aspgren )

 

Elit Vetlanda (away)

1. Lee Richardson

2. Ales Dryml

3. Jaroslaw Hampel

4. Janusz Kolodziej

5. Jason Crump

6. Martin Vaculik

7. Jonas Messing

( 8. - )

 

*-*-*

 

As usual, all meeting should be covered via live updates on www.speedway.nu from 19:00 local time.

 

Enjoy!

[Ghostwalker]

thanks Anders

 

 

[BritPete]

Dackarna are stronger than Poole!

[speedy den boy]

NO Adam shieds for vargarna-crashed at Belle vue tonight and withdrawn with concussion.

Edited April 26, 2010 by speedy den boy

[Anders]

NO Adam shieds for vargarna

 

According to one of the local newspapers in Norrköping, Norrköpings Tidningar, Scott Nicholls will take Adam's place in the main body of the team, with Michael Jepsen Jensen taking the No 6 race jacket (for Nicholls).

[Fixer2]

Anybody know of a possible torrent for tonights Lejonen v Indianerna match? Looks like it's going to be a cracker of a meeting.

[superguest]

Anyone know how PK is? The reports on speedway.nu said that he tangled with Harris and went into the fence at high speed.

[Ghostwalker]

Anyone know how PK is? The reports on speedway.nu said that he tangled with Harris and went into the fence at high speed.

 

the reports i have heard is that he could walk back to the pits.

Edited April 28, 2010 by Ghostwalker

[Peter S.]

Any news on Jesper B. ? I heard he was at the hospital, x.ray for hand/wrist injury ?!?

 

 

[Anders]

SWEDISH ELITSERIEN ROUND 1

Tuesday April 27th 2010

 

PIRATERNA - VARGARNA 60-36

at Biltema Arena, Motala

 

Attendence: 4182

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Adrian Miedzinski won heat 1 against Piraterna newcomers Greg Hancock and Maciej Janowski, but that one turned out to be half the number of heat victories for Vargarna, on the entire night! The Pirates once again opened up the season in style, as turning the time back by a year saw Piraterna beat Lejonen by a massive score then, only for Piraterna to miss the Play Off and Lejonen to win the gold medal. The home side have yet to prove a point, despite this hammering of last year's silver medalists, but with Emil Sayfutdinov being able to replace Damian Balinski in this line-up, it's hard to imagine the Motala missing the Play Off once again, for sure.

 

Piraterna (home) 60

1. Greg Hancock 2-1-3-1-3 = 10 (5)

2. Maciej Janowski 1*-3-3-0 = 7+1 (4)

3. Jonas Davidsson 3-3-3-3-1 = 13 (5)

4. Damian Balinski 0-1-0-0 = 1 (4)

5. Antonio Lindbäck 3-3-3-3-3 = 15 (5) (MAX)

6. Linus Sundström 1-1-2*-1*-1 = 6+2 (5)

7. Robert Kosciecha 3-1-2*-2 = 8+1 (4)

8. Tomas Bäck

 

Vargarna (away) 36

1. Adrian Miedzinski 3-2-X-2-2-2 = 11 (6)

2. Tai Woffinden 0-0-1-N = 1 (3)

3. Krzysztof Kasprzak 1*-2-2-1*-2-0 = 8+2 (6)

4. Adam Skornicki 2-0-0-N = 2 (3)

5. Scott Nicholls 2-1-Fx-1*-0-2 = 6+1 (6)

6. Michael Jepsen Jensen 2-2-1-3-0 = 8 (5)

7. Kim Nilsson 0-0-N-0 = 0 (3)

8. André Hertzberg

 

*-*-*

 

LEJONEN - INDIANERNA 60-36

at Axelent Arena, Gislaved

 

Attendence: 2327

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Indianerna lost against Lejonen in last year's semifinal, so obviously had a point to prove, but that didn't happen on track. The home side opened up a gigantic 21-9 lead already after five heats, and when Artur Mroczka crossed the finish line first in heat 10, joined by Nicki Pedersen, that must definitely have killed the meeting. The two time champions Lejonen cruised to 60 points despite Leigh Adams having a sub-par performence based on the scoresheet and his normally high standard in all leagues, but also noticable is the fact that all Lions' riders recorded at least one heat victory each. Impressive.

 

Lejonen (home) 60

1. Nicki Pedersen 2*-3-2*-3-1 = 11+2 (5)

2. Mikael Max 3-3-0-3-1* = 10+1 (5)

3. David Ruud 3-0-1*-0 = 4+1 (4)

4. Chris Holder 2*-2-2-3-3 = 12+1 (5)

5. Leigh Adams 1*-3-0-1-2 = 7+1 (5)

6. Dennis Andersson 3-2-1-3 = 9 (4)

7. Artur Mroczka 0-2*-3-2* = 7+2 (4)

8. Christian Agö

 

Indianerna (away) 36

1. Bjarne Pedersen 1-1-0-1*-0 = 3+1 (5)

2. Niels-Kristian Iversen 0-3-3-2-2-0 = 10 (6)

3. Grzegorz Walasek 1-1*-1*-2-0-3 = 8+2 (6)

4. Magnus Zetterström 0-1-2-0-N = 3 (4)

5. Piotr Protasiewicz 3-0-1-2-2 = 8 (5)

6. Simon Gustafsson 1*-0-N-0 = 1+1 (3)

7. Renat Gafurov 2-0-N-1 = 3 (3)

8. Niklas Eriksson

 

*-*-*

 

ROSPIGGARNA - ELIT VETLANDA 41-55

at Orionparken, Hallstavik

 

Attendence: 2012

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Underdogs Rospiggarna held the lead briefly early on, and kept it close for about half the meeting, but couldn't prevent last year's bronze medalists to record the only away victory of the opening round. Martin Vaculik joined Jason Crump for a maximum just before the interval, and when Lee Richardson and Janusz Kolodziej kept tactical substitution Ryan Sullivan and Wieslaw Jagus to 3rd and 4th place in heat 13, that opened up a ten point lead for the away team.

 

As if the loss wasn't enough, bad luck struck Rospiggarna in heat 14 as Jesper B Monberg fell, with the possibility of a serious injury. -"The worst case scenario is a broke wrist" Monberg said to Upsala Nya Tidning after the meeting.

 

Rospiggarna (home) 41

1. Jesper B Monberg 3-0-TT-Fx = 3 (4)

2. Sebastian Aldén R-1-3-N-2 = 6 (4)

3. Wieslaw Jagus 2-2*-0-0-1* = 5+2 (5)

4. Ben Barker 0-3-2-1*-0 = 6+1 (5)

5. Ryan Sullivan 1*-3-2-1-1-3 = 11+1 (6)

6. Anton Rosén 1-N-0-0-1* = 2+1 (4)

7. Kauko Nieminen 3-2-0-1-2 = 8 (5)

8. Pontus Aspgren

 

Elit Vetlanda (away) 55

1. Lee Richardson 2-1-2-3-3 = 11 (5)

2. Ales Dryml 1*-0-1*-N = 2+2 (3)

3. Jaroslaw Hampel 1-1*-3-3-0 = 8+1 (5)

4. Janusz Kolodziej 3-2*-2-2*-2 = 11+2 (5)

5. Jason Crump 3-3-3-2*-1* = 12+2 (5)

6. Martin Vaculik 2-3-1-2*-3-0 = 11+1 (6)

7. Jonas Messing F-0-N-0 = 0 (3)

8. -

 

*-*-*

 

DACKARNA - VÄSTERVIK 59-37

at G&B Arena, Målilla

 

Attendence: 4640

 

Heat details, courtesy of www.speedway.nu.

 

Title favourites Dackarna got stunned in the opening ride of the 2010 season as Grand Prix riders Andreas Jonsson and Hans Andersen surrended to Tomasz Jedrzejak and Joonas Kylmäkorpi, followed by Peter Ljung who won heat 2 and Peter Karlsson crashing out in heat 3, making it a horrible start for the home side. Despite the loss of Peter Karlsson, who walked back to the pit by himself but still withdrew from the meeting, Dackarna were able to pull themselves together and a 23-7 run in heats 5-9 turned a 10-14 deficit into a 33-21 lead, from which Västervik never recovered.

 

Although the difference between the sides was obvious on paper as well in the final score, the second half of the meeting actually prodcued some exciting racing, despite the lack of a close score. Heat 14 could probably go down as one of the best heats of the year, with Hans Andersen and Rune Holta swapping places with Tomasz Gollob and Chris Harris, to eventually come out on top for a maximum. That was just incredible!

 

Dackarna (home) 59

1. Hans Andersen R-2*-2-3-3 = 10+1 (5)

2. Andreas Jonsson 1-3-3-1*-1 = 9+1 (5)

3. Fredrik Lindgren 3-3-2*-2-2* = 12+2 (5)

4. Peter Karlsson Fn-N-N-N = 0 (0)

5. Rune Holta 3-3-3-2*-3 = 14+1 (5)

6. Ricky Kling 2-0-1-3-1-2 = 9 (6)

7. Ludvig Lindgren 0-1-2*-0-1*-1 = 5+2 (6)

8. Tim Gudmunsson

 

Västervik (away) 37

1. Joonas Kylmäkorpi 2*-R-0-0 = 2+1 (4)

2. Tomasz Jedrzejak 3-2-2-1-0-0 = 8 (6)

3. Chris Harris 2-1-2-0-2 = 7 (5)

4. Tomasz Chrzanowski 0-1-0-N = 1 (3)

5. Tomasz Gollob 2-1-3-3-1-1 = 11 (6)

6. Robin Bergqvist 1-0-N-N = 1 (2)

7. Peter Ljung 3-1*-0-3-0 = 7+1 (5)

8. Robin Messing 0 = 0 (1)

 

For Dackarna,

Andersen got squeezed out in his first, but looked good in his remaining rides. Used his always successful inside line to full advantage, but even blasted around an opponent! Can't remember seeing that before. Jonsson was OK, but nothing special. (Fredrik) Lindgren earned his point from the gate, by team-riding team-mates and passing opponents. Well done! Karlsson crashed in his first ride, the reserves covered him well with 6 points. Holta was extraordinary, which is not usually the case this early in a season. Kling is a force on a low average, as shown this night. (Ludvig) Lindgren blew hot and cold, just as the scoresheet suggest.

 

For Västervik,

Kylmäkorpi had some ups and some downs. Got taken brutally wide in his second ride and was furious after the race, trying to get to the referee's box for a chat with the referee. I fully understand him. Jedrzejak started well but faded some, and wasn't to be found in heat 16. Harris was stuck in the mix, but never looked like a potential heat winner. Chrzanowski was better than the score suggested. Rode his heart out early on but didn't score, and made a mistake in his third after making a gate. Gollob was the one to stand up against the powerful Dackarna side throughout the meeting, no question. Bergqvist and Messing did what could be expected regarding their points production. Ljung had to fight hard for the points, he tried hard from behind, with good imagination in trying to find the right lines.

 

Man of the match: Rune Holta

 

Most exciting rider: Tomasz Gollob

 

 

[superguest]

Anders, I was just wondering if you could give a reason as why Dackarna are pairing Andersen and Jonsson together, most other teams seem to put their best rider at no.5?

Edited April 29, 2010 by superguest

[HenryW]

Anders, I was just wondering if you could give a reason as why Dackarna are pairing Andersen and Jonsson together, most other teams seem to put their best rider at no.5?

Not sure about that comment.

 

It's not exactly clear cut that teams use the top man at 5.

 

Piraterna had Greg at 5...Is Antonio better than Greg?

Vargarna had Scott at 5...Is Scott better than Adrian and Krzysztof?

Lejonen had Leigh at 5...Is Leigh better than Nicki?

 

Anyway....Rune was at 5 for Dackarna...he scored a maximum and was the only one in the team to do so....So didn't Dackarna use their best at 5?

 

 

[f-s-p]

Any news on Jesper B. ? I heard he was at the hospital, x.ray for hand/wrist injury ?!?

Out for 6-8 weeks with several broken bones in his hand.