SFS VIII Season Preview (Part 2/2)
10. ASK Landsmark (13.)
ASK had a downright terrible season, and they have decided to abandon all hope into their internal philosophy and go into a completely new build based on former DNR coach Mirko Johansson, who has proven his ability of playing a strong, defensive side. The problems have been largely addressed on the transfer market: An overly old defence has been rejuvenated by the acquisition of Delaclava international Valentin Gusev and Sjoedrhavn prospect Anja Palme; and Eve Lovelace should be capable of taking load off Gavax Nenzi-Abe. Perhaps the most important change is the free transfer of Garrett Norwood, potential follow-up for Ryberg and a true commitment to physical, brutal matchups in the striker position. However, this team may need some time to come together, and won’t be threatening the top - yet.
Stadium: Axel-Nejdur-Stadion (capacity: 46’000)
Manager: Mirko Johansson (39)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 flat
Starting XI: Johan Jacobsson - Jussi Arpanen, Simon Omark, Valentin Gusev (DEL), Sergey Nemtsov - Jesper Groen, Eve Lovelace (BRE), Gavax-Nenzi Abe (QUS), Poul Olsen - Dominik Ryberg [C], Garrett Norwood
Notable reserves: Anja Palme (CB), Mikael Hansborg (CM), Calle Polman (RM), Ilari Litmanen (ST)
Transfers incoming: Eve Lovelace (CM/BRE, Scaffield/BRE, 3), Niina Saparinen (CB, FK Chemie Frisks, 0.6), Anja Palme (CB, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.6), Garrett Norwood (ST/NPH, North Sabrefell/NPH, 0), Valentin Gusev (CB/DEL, free, 0) | outgoing: Viktor Nejman (coach, free), Nina Rasmussen (CB, Framfarir Kjefla, 0.3), Frida Valdström (OM, FK Sjoedrhavn, loan), Frans Kirkers (RB, retirement)
9. Savojars Vinge Virkaja (9.)
Under Hrolfrsson, SVV have managed to come back with a vengeance and make everyone forget about their horrible last season, and now come back to strenghten their position with some clever backup transfers. Having lost Aleksandra Virulainen to Partisan may be hurting their prospects, but SVV have backed up other positions with Florian Franz as the designated heir to Otalainen and alleviated their pains on the right wing. The addition of two right wingers leads to more flexibility on the side, and probably will lead to a slightly wider stance for the Virkaja side, and an incredibly deep team. However, in its DNA and its starting eleven, not much has changed, and that may be the best thing for a side that exceeded expectations in the previous season.
Stadion: Patrik Suhonen Stadion (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Jon Sigur Hrolfrsson (43)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Ingmar Lenberg - Dani Carlin (BRE), Lauri Anttakari, Boris Olgunov, Toni Antonov - Kirill Onagin, Max Stenberg, Lenka Otalainen [C] - Kasperi Lehtonen, Thorbjörn Vukkila, Jari Siilonen
Notable reserves: Valter Kjaer (LB), Ylvi Sootala (CB), Oleg Barkov (RB), Florian Franz (OM)
Transfers incoming: Florian Franz (OM/STL, FC Teussen Stelburg/STL, 0.75), Jari Siilonen (RM, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.75), Lukas Meyer (RF/DEL, free, 0) | outgoing: Aleksandra Virulainen (GK, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 4.5), Irina Korpikoski (ST, Metsuri Virkaja, 0.25), Heikki Vantarinen (GK, TSV Marzig/STL, 0)
8. FK Metall Jarnstad (8.)
Loevith has finally taken the consequences of his bad SFS 6 season and left the club despite being able to show that he has more capabilities than what he showed in that year. Nonetheless, FK seemed too limited in their setup, and their reinvigoration with Ognjan Vlahovic of Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom should, at the very least, prove to be very interesting. The lineup got changed a bit to organise the play a bit more, while maintaining Metall’s famous defensive stability. However, the new setup should give Boe and Björgen some more capabilities to roam forward, and leave Otarov less exposed up front. However, they still overly rely on individual players, especially given that they lost two young players in Sandbeck and Khavarin.
Stadium: MetallArena Jarnstad (capacity: 44’000)
Manager: Ognjan Vlahović (ZRH, 60)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Starting XI: Aleksander Smichov - Terho Hytälä, Patrik Hornberg, Penelope Garner (NPH), Kiki Neturainen - Marios Tzavellas (NPH) - Kristian Boe, Traustir Hjalmarsson, Lovisa Mortensson, Frida Björgen - Valeri Otarov [C]
Notable reserves: Hjalmar Staal (CB), Stefan Johansson (DM), Roman Kanarin (OM), Rasmus Ekman (ST)
Transfers incoming: Ognjan Vlahović (coach/ZRH, VZRH Matov-Uri/ZRH, free), Penelope Garner (CB/NPH, AFC Corvistone/NPH, 2.5) | outgoing: Vyacheslav Khavarin (CM, La Nueva Avenida/FFD, undisclosed), Johan Sandbeck (ST, Red Star Kalagouba/MKD, 0.7)
7. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (6.)
Dynamo get this season’s award for “absolutely insane off-season investment”. Recuecian international Grégoire Leclair and Nepharim leftback Louise Barton are a commitment to more defensive stability, and with Mookie Danube, many assume Dynamo found an adequate replacement for Jarnström. As a consequence, it seems as if Lägg is shifting more towards a defensive stance, without sacrificing the option to push forward - which is likely the best way for a side like Dynamo to avoid overextending and getting punished for it, as their defence was often caught out in the past season. While Dynamo are still perennial underachievers, the side has its qualities, and despite an offence that pales compared to its high-level defensive line, Sjoedrhavn’s number two is ready to throw a challenge at Parti’s feet.
Stadium: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 35’000)
Manager: Kristian Lägg (46)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Mookie Danube (XAN) - Louise Barton (NPH), Linne Kjaer [C], Matias Rydman, Jarkko Liparainen - Niklas Hoyberg, Grégoire Leclair (RCN) - Helgi Persson, Pohja Ulkanen, Kev Andersson - Aleksander Teranen
Notable reserves: Anja Loeseth (RB), Victor Loeseth (CM), Kristina Midtjaer (RF), Olof Johnberg (ST)
Transfers incoming: Grégoire Leclair (DM/RCN, Association Genève/RCN, 2.25), Mookie Danube (GK/XAN, Palace Crystal City/XAN, 1.25), Louise Barton (LB/NPH, South Laithland/NPH, 0) | outgoing: Anders Jarnström (GK, retirement)
6. Energie Thorsborg (7.)
Energie could not quite repeat their dream season from the year prior, but managed to defend the Savojar Cup, and thus qualified for international football the second year in a row. Nonetheless, Lars Walberg’s team went through a significant change due to losing national defender Roman Forsberg abroad. The money has been invested in a direct replacement from Siovanija and Teusland, but also in two more young international stars in Admassu and Hoscutt. Furthermore, Energie have backed up their goalkeeping future with Pär Tjova. With four new players, and none of them over 24, the team clearly has a solid plan for the future and looks to break into the Top 4 as soon as possible, investing their money cleverly. However, this does not yet seem to be the season of Energie, as their new signings will first have to prove themselves as a team.
Stadium: National Energiekollektivets Arena (capacity: 48’600)
Manager: Lars Walberg (41)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI: Johanna Marqvist - Aiden Halstro, Lozen Pironev (STL), Zibo Olberg, Cylia Hoscutt (NPH) - Valentin Ljungberg [C], Abigail Admassu (BNJ), Ågot Sienkiewicz (FKR) - Kristin Vindjammer, Gustav Lindgren, Staale Lund
Notable reserves: Pär Tjova (GK), Lucas Bengtsson (RB), Petteri Jantaniemi (CM), Pernilla Sander (OM), Poul Andersen (ST)
Transfers incoming: Abigail Admassu (OM/BNJ, AFC Akwadua/BNJ, 4), Lozen Pironev (CB/STL, Wye United/APX, 2), Pär Tjova (GK, Motor Johansborg, 0.5), Cylia Hoscutt (RB/NPH, Starling/NPH, 0) | outgoing: Roman Forsberg (CB, Olympia Borograd/STL, 6), Flemming Skov (RB, Admiral Storevik, 1)
5. Libertas Bergheim (5.)
The last season has shown that despite their championship challenge in SFS VI, Libertas are not quite in the top tier yet. Their side requires another little push, and they hope to get it from the signing of Arkanin to take the weight off an aging Nyborg, who couldn’t quite sustain himself throughout the season. But with limited budgets, Libertas had to be clever on the market, and they did so by buying up free agents smartly. Their two main signings fill completely different roles: Goodharvest is a Nepharim centre-back looking to plug the hole left by Alyssa Broad’s return to Sabrefell for two or three years, until Gudrun Jansdottir hopefully proves to be the strong CB Libertas are looking for; Sandoval, on the other hand, will increase the number of options Libertas have on the right side and reduce their over-reliance on national team wingback Alexey Nurkanen as well as increase the ability to respond to being down.
Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion (capacity: 27’900)
Manager: Helgi Laurison (65)
Expected formation: 3-4-1-2
Starting XI: Lotte Ronne - Andrea Najmina, Pyotr Nemanyev [C], Rook Goodharvest (NPH) - Richard Geddes (SCT), Thomas Bergqvist, Calle Vikingstad, Alexey Nurkanen - Denis Arkanin - Mika Hakeson, Tuomas Lajunen
Notable reserves: Ola Granlund (CB), Markus Nyborg (OM), Zacharis Sandoval (CMT/RM), Erland Stromby (ST)
Transfers incoming: Denis Arkanin (RLSK Pawlograd, 1.25), Zacharis Sandoval (RM/CMT, Alnio University of the Arts/CMT, 0), Rook Goodharvest (CB/NPH, Azewyn Royals/APX, 0), Gudrun Jansdottir (CB, Framfarir Kjefla Youth, 0) | outgoing: Alyssa Broad (CB/NPH, Athletic Sabrefell/NPH, return from loan)
4. Partisan Sjoedrhavn (3.)
If there is one team in Savojarna that can be expected to squander a ten point lead in the Championship, it is probably Partisan Sjoedrhavn. Accordingly, the focus of this side has been to overcome their SFS VII trauma. Identifying the defence as a weak point, they signed a new goalkeeper prospect in Aleksandra Virulainen, but are not looking to play Savojarna's hottest new star just yet according to Sigmundsson. Augustine Rahn is looking to add depth up front, and the core question is - do Parti bench her, Karjanen, or shift to a two-top? With Simon Jacobsen sold to Chromatika, Partisan's coffers are deep, but they haven't quite spent the money on the transfer window yet. So, for this season, they may look the weakest of the Big Four, but they are clearly in a lurking position: In three years, Virulainen and Jaerbyn may enter their prime, Poulsen will be a seasoned playmaker, and Rahn and Grönkjaer will still be solid, serviceable cornerstones of a team ready to take the title. Clearly, Partisan are playing the long game - now let's hope that patience in Sjoedrhavn is enough to wait out the early pains.
Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger (capacity: 42’300)
Manager: Johan Sigmundsson (39)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 Diamond
Starting XI: Anders Johansson - Bjarne Thorvaldsson, Aleksandr Jernayev, Rasmus Helman, Johan Karlsson - Henning Roesk - Steinar Aarsoy, Alina Lund - Morten Poulsen - Perttu Karjanen [C], Augustine Rahn (NPH)
Notable reserves: Aleksandra Virulainen (GK), Rasmus Grönkjaer (RB), Pavel Shipulin (CM), Göran Jaerbyn (RM)
Transfers incoming: Aleksandra Virulainen (GK, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 4.5), Ekaterina Antonov (LB, Mir Nestrovo, 0.2), Augustine Rahn (ST/NPH, Cypher Town/NPH, 0) | outgoing: Simon Jacobsen (ST, Alnio/CMT, 7), Pyotr Isarin (DM, Rotor Värstjö, 0.2), Heikki Palvarainen (RM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 0)
3. CASK Thorsborg (4.)
Imagine having Sergey Nweke and Juhamatti Rajala, putting them both onto the bench, and have that be considered a perfectly sensible decision. CASK have invested in the transfer market, and it is clear that the Army expects more of their flagship, especially now that Admiral are pushing for the title. However, their problem is that all the other Top 4 have also upgraded - and comparing to Partisan’s and Lok’s landmark goalie signings, and the incredibly spectacular offence that Admiral are building, it may just still not be enough for a title. However, CASK show development, and the fact that they didn’t sign two strong stars, but two foreign prospects under 25 spells excitement for the future. Nweke and Rajala are just as great diamonds in the rough as Pickton - who probably will share playtime with Rajala - and Prosdocimi, and with the national team’s backup goalkeeper and leftback, there is plenty of experience in the defence as well. Polina Zirkova has grown into her role of defence organiser, up front CASK still have the top scorer of SFS VII, and if the young talents fulfil their promises, nobody in Thorsborg will miss Petteri Hytönen this year.
Stadium: Stadion General Erik Harden (capacity: 62’000)
Manager: Johnny McDonald (46/SCT)
Expected formation: 4-1-3-2
Starting XI: Thomas Larsen - Lars Jensen, Polina Zirkova, Mikael Nielsen, Aleksandar Popovich - Arturo Prosdocimi (RCN) - Wallace Pickton (EUR), Paddi Gren, Pjotr Iljurov - Valter Birja, Kjetil Flyborg
Notable reserves: Timo Pohjanainen (CB), Rolf Patriksson (CM), Juhamatti Rajala (LF), Sergey Nweke (ST)
Transfers incoming: Wallace Pickton (LM/EUR, Callodown/EUR, 3.5), Arturo Prosdocimi (DM/RCN, Reçueçn FC/RCN, 1.25), Timo Pohjanainen (CB, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.3) | outgoing: Petteri Hytönen (OM, Cap Nordique/DCN, 0.5), Johan Kjäll (CB, retirement)
2. Lokomotive Jarnstad (2.)
Before the season, we have questioned the fitness of Lok’s goalkeeper Esko Nurminen - and we were proven right, kind of. At least right enough that Lok decided to drop Nurminen and replace him with a Nepharim on the transfer market. At the moment, Lok are at a somewhat awkward space between generations: Palsdottir, Klaebo and Kjellsen are not at the level required to contest another title, and players like Ullqvist or Oystein have clearly passed their prime. For the short term, they found an adequate replacement for the defence in Nepharim free agent Roy Coyner, but the central midfield remains a question mark. Nonetheless, Lok are stable, Lok are deep, and they should not be written out until the end of the season.
Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Jarnsvägen (capacity: 53’800)
Manager: Rjurik Smolderhøve (59)
Expected formation: 4-4-1-1
Starting XI: Gerik Knasmuller (NPH) - Jorgen Hallsen [C], Trent Ullqvist, Roy Coyner (NPH), Shisaru Zeperin (HIN) - Ake Ericsson, Pit Erlandsen, Halvard Oystein, Ivan Grivoshenko - Henrik Ljurbyn - Vilhjalmur Ruriksson
Notable reserves: Esko Nurminen (GK), Denis Metanov (CB), Hannu Vuotala (OM), Jonas Hellström (ST)
Transfers incoming: Gerik Knasmuller (GK/NPH, Chatswood/NPH, 3), Roy Coyner (CB/NPH, North Sabrefell/NPH, 0) | outgoing: Viktor Pettersson (LB, Aleiusia Capital/ZRH, 0.75)
1. Admiral Storevik (1.)
Storevik, having been eternally reliant on Krister Voynov, have gotten rid of their talisman - and it may have been for the best. Haukason’s team managed to win the title thanks to their new signings in Vladcik and Montag, and they have continued to build a scary superteam up front, digging deep into the coffers that were left by Voynov’s 15 million sale. Up front, they have built an offensive three that consists of three imports as Palina Leopold slots into right wing; in goal, the sometimes fragile Juralainen was replaced by Donnaconan national goalkeeper Jure Filipovic. Finally, the side has brought their contingent of capped Savojars up to four thanks to the acquisition of Flemming Skov. In defence, Galactico longlist choice Joonas Andersson still reigns supreme, and Admiral look like a force for at least the near future.
Stadium: Marinestadion (capacity: 48’000)
Manager: Gylfi Haukason (51)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI: Jure Filipovic (DCA) - Kare Runarsson, Gregor Flygstad, Lauri Zirkkonen, Flemming Skov - Joonas Andersson [C], Birkir Evaldsson - Jzeovak Vladcik (SRS), Sabine Montag (NPH), Palina Leopold (NPH) - Arvid Jotansson
Notable reserves: Boris Lavrov (LB), Mah Huang (CB/HIN), Sigleifur Arnason (LM), Igor Vitanov (RM), Juri Sandrajev (ST)
Transfers incoming: Palina Leopold (RM/NPH, Iron City/NPH, 5), Jure Filipovic (GK/DCA, Cap Nordique/DCA, 1.5), Flemming Skov (RB, Energie Thorsborg, 1) | outgoing: Pavel Urkin (RB, retirement), Mikael Najman (OM, retirement)