SavojarSports.sj - Savojarna Sports Newswire

by **Savojarna** » Fri Apr 29, 2022 4:00 am

SFS 16 Season Preview (Part 2/2)

AFK Savojagrad (9.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1903 as a student club at the University of Savojagrad, a bastion of the Russian Unionist movement as well as conservatism. Disbanded in 1910 and refounded 1917 as a much more open-minded and internationally oriented club, the side is nowadays associated with an international, young, and vibrant public - very much in tune with the general transformation of Savojagrad into a cosmopolitan, trendy tech and creativity hub. Aka is the oldest student club of the country, viewed as a team of intellectuals who will lose themselves in tactical intricacies.
Tactics: A fluid side that can move the ball fast through the centre and use their traditionally strong playmakers for distribution, or play over their wingers. After a spell of defensive football disliked by the audience, this is now a creative side, although some players haven’t fully caught up yet. Traditionally value a relatively stationary dedicated playmaker in a classical 10 position, and have created some spectacular players in that position.
Key Players: Kevin Nordmark, at 37 years of age, enters what is likely his last season. Ahead of him, Lars Larsson truly established himself as a defensive midfielder who has just about been kept in Savojagrad; and left wingback Lyn Townsend has shown her worth as well, shoring up the left flanks and providing many crosses to the dangerous strikers of AFK. With the central defence a bit pedestrian, this will be important. Vanorian prospect Sabine Bar has entirely grown into the traditionally strong AFK playmaker role, allowing her to take centre stage in this team. Robin Norderberg forms a competitive striker trio of Hjort and Kovalenko; hanging striker Pohja Ulkanen has left the club again and been replaced by youth talent Grigori Jebatsenko. Behind the striker squad, Natalja Levin on the right wing has become a secret tip for one of Savojarna’s future stars, and wants to show off her skill.
Expectations: AFK Savojagrad expect a nice little boost from the fact they renovated the NUSArena over the summer and added 3’500 more places to the arena, many of them in its steep standing section. On the pitch, however, things might have gotten a bit worse with few transfers and the loss of a veteran in Ulkanen; a lot will depend on the continued development of the young players. Still, this is a team that can surprise and aims for the lower top 10.

Stadion: NUSArena (capacity: 21’600)
Manager: Emil Haraldson (54)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 diamond
Transfers incoming: Annika Jokelainen (CB, Energie Thorsborg, 0.9), Grigori Jebatsenko (ST, AFK Savojagrad Academy, 0) | outgoing: Niina Saparinen (CB, Elektron Harkka, 0.75), Pohja Ulkanen (MS, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.5), Victor Zyukov (CM, retirement)

Savojars Vinge Virkaja (8.)

Origin and identity: The team was founded in 1946 as the representative of the Savojar Air Force. From its beginning, it was supposed to challenge the domination of CASK and Admiral, but struggled to achieve this. SVV see themselves as representing the technical side of Savojarna, and have been associated with high technical skill and tactical sophistication. Their fans are known to be sort of fickle, but have been humbled by three seasons in the SFS B, forcing the side to reinvent itself as a more youth-focused, creative side.
Tactics: Traditionally, Virkaja play a fluid 4-3-3, which fits well with their young and energetic core. They can be expected to run and pass a lot, and have their wingers orient themselves towards the goal. Traditionally, they are highly offensive, and emphasise their defenders to join the offence; in the B, they have somewhat mellowed, but also put their strikers on extensive pressing duty to force errors. All offensive players are typically aiming to score, and frequently swap positions as the situation requires.
Key Players: Last season, SVV poured money into the transfer market to sign winger legend Krister Voynov, who did indeed deliver. While lacking a similar marquee signing this season, they did splurge again. However, aside from Taeshani Markus Packard-Grey from Traktor, the signings are less flashy striker and more utility: A strong midfield axis in Aho and Paasio gets supported by a younger but somewhat unproven goalkeeper in Tristan Vilhjalmursson. They have, however, lost Ola-Mikko Virttu in the season the playmaker got his first cap; the lure of Admiral Storevik proved too powerful to resist. Among last season’s players, Vibeke Mortensen remains a core player; up front, Vukkila, Bjergsen, and Packard-Grey will all scramble for a single striker spot (although the latter will likely be played on the right wing).
Expectations: SVV have proven that they can keep up with the midfield, and with a stronger wing and midfield, there is no reason to believe anything changed about this. Their goal has to be to break into the subtop group with ASK Landsmark and Libertas Bergheim, and reach a lower-half top 10 position. The IFCF will be too early.

Stadium: Patrik Suhonen Stadion (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Aleksi Matiainen (43)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Transfers incoming: Markus Packard-Grey (RW/TAE, Traktor St. Andrei, 2.5), Tristan Vilhjalmursson (GK, RLSK Pawlograd, 1.7), Heikki Aho (DM, CASK Thorsborg, 1), Patrik Paasio (OM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1) | outgoing: Ola-Mikko Virttu (OM, Admiral Storevik, 3.3), Denis Lokarenko (DM, Traktor St. Andrei, 0.6), Jari Siilonen (RM, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 0), Ingmar Lenberg (GK, retirement)

Libertas Bergheim (7.)

Origin and identity: After the formation of a national league, the teams of the three biggest Bergheimer unions had formed the club in 1927. Libertas is traditionally an upper-midfield team with 2 cups, but still chases that elusive first championship. They are the team of Bergheim's unions, made up of coal and silver miners as well as loggers. Bergheim's independent spirit and left-libertarian tradition shapes the club's identity and its large fan base.
Tactics: Libertas have turned away from their attempt at direct vertical play and shifted more towards exciting, fluid short passing centred around two offensive midfielders in Arkanin and Wen. In defence, the back four are stable, with little freedom to push forward; a defensive midfielder acts as a destroyer ahead of the defence. However, expect high pressing from the midfield four, and a fluid passing game on the ball with two aggressive wingers that link with a false nine that has splendid finishing capacities in Kaja Eller.
Key Players: Following two mediocre seasons, Dino Racic finally proved his worth; ahead of him, Libertas have dared to commit to Jaranski and came off better for it. The offensive midfield with Wen and Arkanin is the envy of the league; however, up front, things are somewhat less clear. The signing of Vithoulkas feels like an admission Kaja Eller is not enough to carry this team; in the best case, the Nepharan striker will be able to lift the side up crucially. At the same time, offensive versatility was lost somewhat as Sveinn Arnason moved to Partisan. The biggest question, however, will be whether goalkeeper Mikhail Trischuk can find any form again, and if not, whether Libertas have a backup plan for the South Newlandian.
Expectations: It appears that Bergheim settled into the idea that its team’s time in the top is over and they return to the upper midfield. Its lack of big spending, while financially smart, implies a certain sobering up in the team’s management. Another IFCF challenge is still possible, but a long shot; prime targets will be to fight for the best spot within the group of sub-IFCF sides and finish 6th.

Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion (capacity: 27’900)
Manager: Lise Asbeck (62) / Mikaela Rangren (56)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Transfers incoming: Andrea Vithoulkas (ST/NPH, Traktor St. Andrei, 2), Jonas Hilde (GK, Framtid Bergheim, 0), Roman Jarmolenko (RB, NFA Högvald Vit, 0) | outgoing: Sveinn Arnason (MS, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 1.6), Richard Geddes (LM/SCT, end of contract), Alexey Nurkanen (RB, retirement)

ASK Landsmark (6.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1942 as a farm team for CASK, they got independent in the 1970s. Despite periodical success, they have largely been a mid-table team relying on a scrappy, defensive style of football to overcome their bigger rivals. As a state team with limited success, their fan base is sort of small and considered prone to bandwagoning, or abandoning the team in rougher times. Most people within the city support Landsmarks Industrie instead, considered much more of a “city team”.
Tactics: ASKL value hard work over technical brilliance. Tough defence and fast counter-attacks over the side are their key path to success. They operate a lot with long through balls from the midfield, and seek to find one of their killers up front. While the new coach, former U-21 coach Oleg Liparov, will bring in some changes, he is likely to keep the basics of the team the way it was before, especially given that his work at the U-21 was also heavily based on defence and stability.
Key Players: Iiro Pakanen. The Savojarna national team goalkeeper returned from Banija to this side, bolstering an already solid defence led by Delaclavan Valentin Gusev. Alongside Gusev, Jens Carlsen played a solid season and gets some more support in the shape of leftback Darya Macar. Up ahead, ASK rejuvenated its central midfield by signing Lok’s polyvalent central midfielder Paddi Gren, an experienced player who will slot in next to Nepharan Eve Lovelace or Savojar Erland Sandahl. In attack, ASK rely heavily on a duo of sly poachers and scorers, with Ilari Litmanen being a heading monster, and Justus Rintanen adding a physical, box-lurker element. The weakness of ASK’s offence used to be finding someone who can reliably bring the ball to their strikers; however, it appears that Helga Bengtsdottir fits that bill perfectly, solving the issue at least in the last season.
Expectations: We don’t know yet if last season’s surprise sixth place had actually been this team’s true power level or just a fluke. Repeating it is probably the first priority for Oleg Liparov, and with charges from SVV and a newly modest Libertas, it won’t be easy. However, this is a tightly knit and enthusiastic team that is probably likely to manage at least another first half finish.

Stadium: Axel-Nejdur-Stadion (capacity: 46’000)
Manager: Oleg Liparov (40)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 flat
Transfers incoming: Paddi Gren (CM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 1.4), Darya Macar (LB/SRS, Traktor St. Andrei, 0.5) | outgoing: Rjurik Hoegh (LB, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1), Johan Jacobsson (GK, Traktor St. Andrei, 0.5), Sergey Nemtsov (RB, Nemstvo SK, 0.25), Gavax-Nenzi Abe (OM/QUS, retirement)

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (5.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1923 to represent the police in the first national league, and gained success after a slow start. Notable for choking the cup, having only won three of eight cup finals. One of two police clubs, they share a rivalry with now relegated Dynamo Novaya Russica. They are emphasising skill and strength in their players, but are said to have mostly bandwagon fans - who haven’t had too much to celebrate recently, as the team has been falling down the ranks recently and ended up known as “the Best of the Rest”, often falling short of the IFCF right behind the Big Five, with two big exceptions two years ago.
Tactics: One of the more offensive teams, they employ heavy pressing with their wingers and forwards. The central midfield plays box to box, using vertical passes. Traditionally they emphasised getting wingers and offensive midfielders close to the goal as well, and finding much success with a hanging striker that links the wings to a pouncer up front. Rely a lot on their second striker and the wingers to create, with no traditional playmaker in the team.
Key Players: Tanith Arrowsmith in goal was the highest profile signing of last year, and she put in a spectacular first season in red. Northlights bench player Vidkun Nymark and Chromatik midfielder Alissar Phoen still form the backbone of the team’s stability; but the latter gets a new face next to him as Dynamo signed the central midfielder of their local rivals in Jelena Tretjakov. The hard-working and talented central midfielder will support Phoen in creating and shuttling, with the Chromatik leaning more into defence. On offence, Wallace Pickton managed to pick up the consistency, showing he can work in this Dynamo side; Quebecois hanging striker Mohamed Khedira will attempt to return to Golden Boot form alongside Giovanna Vitale, the never-tiring danger on the right flank. On top, with Vladimir Nichajev putting up numbers too last season, pressure on Khedira has lessened and more players can score the goals for Dynamo.
Expectations: A strong, scary team carried by some new enthusiasm and excitement among their fans. Matthews has moved on from a complete overhaul to specific improvements, and while among the top 5, predictions are often hard, there is nothing suggesting Dynamo would perform worse. Anything between third and fifth would be a reasonable suggestion.

Stadium: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 35’000)
Manager: Seneca Matthews (58/NPH)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 hanging
Transfers incoming: Jelena Tretjakov (CM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 3), Johanna Zetterberg (LB, Akademien Dynamo, 0) | outgoing: --

Lokomotive Jarnstad (4.)

Origin and identity: Formed in 1929, Lok is younger than Metall Jarnstad, and the two entered a heated rivalry immediately. Lok is the club of the railway workers in the Jarnslän and see themselves as the club of the city of Jarnstad. Because of the state's support for the railways, they are a strong team, and were the first union team to win the SFS, and are often derided by Metall fans as a state team in denial.
Tactics: Madison Bilboa, the first Chromatik on the sidelines of the SFS, turned Lok a bit more offensive, and it worked a charm. They still play with a low midfield of two holding players, but the way Adrian Klaebo is employed as a distributing, creative player is almost a blueprint of the Savojar national team. Up front, Bogdan Rawic is the clear focus of the side, but all four offensive players can score and look to press hard, rotate fast, and be an unpredictable dangerous side to send needles into the flesh of their opponents.
Key Players: Adrian Klaebo is the player around whom this side is built, a smart and skilled playmaker from the back. With Anna Guweddeko, sister of ESK striker Eddie Guweddeko, he has a solid support next to him to carry balls he cannot send long. Up front, Finn Östberg on the left side has added versatility and stability, although Bogdan Rawic’s threat potential in the centre remains the primary way in which Lok score. Chances are this might change this season, as Oleg Trikhichev is likely to take the starting position on the right side away from the older, more reserved Grivoshenko. At the back, Coyner and Palsdottir play the role of defensive bulwark ahead of Gerik Knasmuller, and now get supported by Thorgeir Arnason, signed on a two million deal from ESK. Florian Franz is the element that keeps the whole thing together, filling the role of a utility playmaker perfectly and appearing wherever he is needed.
Expectations: With few changes to their roster, Lok are slated to land in the IFCF spots again, continuing their impressive run. However, against an improving CASK and a consistently strong top two, anything approaching the Champions League would be a surprise for the Jarnstaders. The goal is probably somewhere between third and fifth, and a good IFCF campaign.

Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Jarnsvägen (capacity: 53’800)
Manager: Madison Bilboa (66, CMT)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: Thorgeir Arnason (CB, ESK Storevik, 2), Erik Ahlund (DM, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1.3), Henrik Elvers (ST, NFA Högvald Vit, 0), Roman Sadianov (CM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0) | outgoing: Johan Ludvigsson (ST, RLSK Pawlograd, 1.5), Paddi Gren (CM, ASK Landsmark, 1.4), Esko Nurminen (GK, FK Chemie Frisks, 0.3), Ljubov Naroski (DM, Framfarir Kjefla, loan), Artjom Sobchuk (CB, SK Cuprum Grennvik, loan)

CASK Thorsborg (3.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as an Army team, with heated rivalries with the other branches (mainly Admiral). Savojarna's army club profited for decades from conscription laws. This has changed with the formation of the SFS, but CASK's self-image of the confident record champion has not. In recent years, they have transformed themselves into a team relying heavily on good transfers. Regardless of their approach, CASK are beloved within the army, respectfully hated in other state institutions, and loathed by all union team fans.
Tactics: CASK's strength lies in switching quickly. The defensive midfield acts as an anchor, trying to quickly move the ball up to the front. The defence largely stays back. Since the arrival of McDonald, they play a two-top with a diamond in the centre, and often shift back to a flat midfield four when ahead to preserve a lead. The team places an emphasis on playing over the wings, and having a pair of dangerous finishers up front.
Key Players: Jekaterina Smolov is the face of current CASK, but has received more competition with Teemu Jeraväinen being a competent poacher up front. At the same time, this allowed Smolov to focus more on lurking and opening space, and she shines in that spot. On the wing, Kimi Hartikainen drives play and has been a persistent threat alongside Janna Sauthier on the right, who have been in top form for much of last year. Vikborg and Anttakari have finally grown into a defensive duo that matches expectations, and are going to have to be a rock for the young offence of this new, remodelled CASK; with left back Ansgar Klaey, they have a player whose versatility and calm, unassuming play secured him a Northlights spot recently. Behind the defence, Olga Valujev has proven her worth in the difficult CASK goalkeeper position despite her young age and will hopefully continue to develop. The most interesting transfer was the expensive Rasmus Medberg Hansen: A bullish, athletic, and nearly 2 metre tall teenage striker, CASK hope to have found the answer to Lars Alvesen, but are taking a big financial gamble on a 19 year old.
Expectations: Having grown more into their positions, and having signed a few interesting players, CASK’s players feel like they might finally challenge the Champions League spots for real again. The big issue, however, is that nobody can tell what Medberg Hansen can actually do against adults, and that players like Valujev need to prove themselves after good initial seasons. A CL spot is possible, but it feels like CASK are still ramping up.

Stadium: Stadion General Erik Harden (capacity: 62’000)
Manager: Johnny McDonald (54/SCT)
Expected formation: 4-1-3-2
Transfers incoming: Rasmus Medberg Hansen (ST, Framtid Bergheim, 3.4), Alexander Ilikin (DM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | outgoing: Heikki Aho (DM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1), Karolina Vaitanen (ST, Landsmarks Industrie, 0.75)

Admiral Storevik (2.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as a Navy team, immediately building a heated rivalry with CASK. Admiral were initially stronger but fell behind in the 1930s, struggling for titles since. Historically, the army club are their biggest rivals, followed by Torpedo and ESK. Although Admiral are not very popular in Storevik, quite a few people in Ejana support them as the main source of potential titles for the island.
Tactics: Admiral are a pretty balanced side, with a slight offensive bias thanks to a highly talented frontline and a tradition of strong single strikers. They rely on a calm, collected buildup from a strong defensive line and a double pivot that provides a base for the offensive four to stray forward and work creative magic. Their prime asset is often on the wings, which are tasked with creative play and opening spaces up front.
Key Players: 7 million striker Tryphon Archer was brought in to provide a massive foreign upgrade over Vladimir Nichajev - and he has done so, netting himself the top scorer title in the first attempt. Flanked by a solid duo of wingers, with Erkalainen graduating into a starting role in the left midfield, alongside Palina Leopold on the right side, he will continue to be a threat. Between them, Ola-Mikko Virttu - a player whose performance in a campaign ending in 8th place for SVV was enough for a Northlights call-up - should draw the strings as playmaker. Behind them, Arianna Berger and Birkir Evaldsson in the double pivot have received more backup, as Admiral signed the Schottian central midfielder Anna Witchstone from relegated Traktor, a workhorse that will support them in the light of fixture congestion and CL campaigns. A solid central defence with Dmitriev and Oakes in control, and Zeta Rekan goalkeeper Branislaw Mucic behind them, are supposed to keep a clean sheet. Laila Olsen and Jevgeni Kuzkin form a solid backup, making this one of the areas where Admiral are solid for the future. The same can’t be said about rightback or right midfield, something that Hwang Joon-Ho is expected to fix - hopefully. Admiral are a side that has few standout players, but also few weaknesses.
Expectations: Admiral failed to defend their title, and have also not patched up their biggest issues on the right side, where the pressure remains on aging players in a long season. There might be a breakout player to lift them up, but otherwise, the question is “Is Ola-Mikko Virttu enough to stop Partisan?” - and the answer might actually be yes. Partisan are favourites, but Admiral are once more second in line to snatch the title from them.

Stadium: Marinestadion (capacity: 48’000)
Manager: Hwang Joon-Ho (50/QUE)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: Ola-Mikko Virttu (OM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 3.3), Anna Witchstone (CM/SCT, Traktor St. Andrei, 1.4) | outgoing: Johan Fjällvik (OM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1.6), Anders Fjellberg (RM, Navigator Jaromirgrad, 0.6), Valeri Makanov (CM, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 0.5)

Partisan Sjoedrhavn (SFS 15 Champions)

Origin and identity: Founded 1936 as a union of four Sjoedrhavn teams and immediately successful, but losing out after the 50s. Short resurgence with 2 titles and a cup in the 90s, and establishing themselves as the weakest Big Four team in the SFS era. Formed as a representative vehicle by Communist elites, Partisan's fans are stereotyped to be bureaucrats from the KPS, although there are also plenty of fans who are drawn to their often spectacular play. They are popular nationally, but not in their town.
Tactics: Relying on two hard-to-break defensive lines, Partisan use a stable core to enable a splendid offence that usually relies on some trickery from the forwards and stunning plays. Uses an aggressive press of their offensive players, although backed up by a solid defensive block that is more withdrawn. Their outlook is overall very balanced, and the combination of a pouncing striker and a more hanging player that aims to link to the midfield.
Key Players: Traudl Mrdja has cast aside all doubts: No harmful attitude, no issues adapting to Savojarna, and no issues in team play have crept up, making the right winger a key piece in Partisan’s championship puzzle. Northlights striker Lars Alvesen has delivered consistently, as did his more supportive partner Lapanen; new signing Sveinn Arnason serves to add depth to the offence. But do not be fooled by the flashy strikers: Morten Poulsen still makes this side tick, and Cronin and Broad remain the defensive Nepharan rock on whom Partisan rest. Aleksandra Virulainen remains the best goalkeeper of the SFS, and will be the rock for this side. On the left side, Antonia Nygaard is a flashier and most importantly faster alternative to Steinar Aarsoy, and likely will take over from the older Aarsoy for the majority of league games.
Expectations: Last time they won after a break, Partisan have defended their title. They’d like to repeat that feat, and chances are they might be able to pull it off once more. Few improvements at the Sjoedrhavn side mean that they could be caught off guard by their pursuitors, and the race will likely be tighter; however, the Partisans do enter the season as favourites and will accept nothing less than a Champions League spot.

Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger (capacity: 42’300)
Manager: Patrik Alexandersson (48)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Sveinn Arnason (MS, Libertas Bergheim, 1.6), Tomas Grofqvist (RB, Energie Thorsborg, 1), Valtteri Silverberg (OM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0), Tom Krogstrup (LB, Partisan Sjoedrhavn Academy, 0) | outgoing: Jelena Tretjakov (CM, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 3), Rasmus Grönkjaer (RB, Navigator Jaromirgrad, 0.8), Bjarne Thorvaldsson (LB, retirement)

by **Savojarna** » Sat May 07, 2022 7:13 am

SFS A Season 16 - Part 1/4

IFCF Qualifiers
Champions League Second Round:
MTK Kingsville (DAR) 2-5 Partisan Sjoedrhavn (1-4, 1-1)
Third Round:
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3-2 Corn Palace (SFD) (2-2, 1-0)
Admiral Storevik 3-1 Strathcona Intl (KSK) (0-0, 3-1)
Playoffs:
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3-1 Starlight SC (SQR) (2-1, 1-0)
Shearwater (KSK) 4-1 Admiral Storevik (2-1, 2-0)

Challengers Cup First Round:
Lokomotive Jarnstad 4-3 FK Armaskoye (PYA) (4-0, 0-3)
Alla Fofokoy (TAL) 0-4 Partisan Sjoedrhavn (0-2, 0-2)
Second Round:
Lokomotive Jarnstad 8-2 ChH Tulffo (EFK) (4-2, 4-0)
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3-0 Ms. Johnson’s First-Grade-Class (LDP) (1-0, 2-0)
Third Round:
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1-3 Everfree Forest HC (EQS) (0-0, 1-3)
Sassari Trailblazers (OME) 1-1 Lokomotive Jarnstad (1-1, 0-0, 4-5 pen)
KarpìStomà (TAL) 4-3 CASK Thorsborg (4-2, 0-1)
Fourth Round:
Lokomotive Jarnstad 3-4 Chalesm FC (SRS) (2-3, 1-1)
Playoffs:
Ogroven Vanguardi FK (ZRH) 1-0 Admiral Storevik (1-0, 0-0)

Matchday 1
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–4 Admiral Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 3–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–1 Landsmarks Industrie
RLSK Pawlograd 1–2 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–6 ESK Storevik
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Rotor Värstjö
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–4 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Navigator Jaromirgrad 1–3 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 AFK Savojagrad

Tradition demands we open the season on a Friday night with champion against runner-up; and that means Admiral are travelling to Sjoedrhavn to take on Partisan. Admiral’s new signing Ola-Mikko Virttu is rested today after his Copa Rushmori campaign, but Patrik Brygg is a more than valid replacement as he sends Palina Leopold deep, and a pass from the Nepharan to her compatriot Archer in the middle means that Admiral score the first goal of the season. Ten minutes later, a clearly very motivated Admiral is up 2-0 as Berger scores from seventeen metres after being left completely alone by Partisan’s defence. But Parti have their own dangerous Nepharan, and half an hour into the game, a cross by Nygaard flies over everyone’s head… only to find Mrdja at the long post and make Mucic look stupid as the striker scores the 1-2. Surging from the goal, Parti take a draw into half time as Alvesen poaches a goal late in the first half, but after an unlucky challenge by Vikarby results in a penalty that Archer converts coldly, they are on the back foot again. Admiral defend desperately, and with Hrafnar Kolbeinnsson finishing off a counter late in the game, they win 2-4 in their opening match.

The next day and a few kilometres over at the Stadion Dynamo, the other Sjoedrhavn club gets a cold, cold shower as literally nothing seems to work. A first half red card against Routsiainen, following a challenge that is both clumsy and unlucky, sets them back; Guweddeko and Kuznetsov set the score to 0-2 at half time. Dynamo look a bit better after two changes at half time, but it leaves them short a man as Barton gets injured in the second half; with nine men, they fall apart and have to concede three more goals to a final score of 0-6. Finally, SK Cuprum Grennvik return to the SFS A in style. Hatun and Pavarenko both have an incredible game as they shut out Torpedo’s offence (although they are hampered by Novikov being absent for a stomach infection and Serebrjakov low on training after an injury); on the other end, Siilonen is unleashed as he is all over the field, scoring one himself and feeding both passes in Saevar Fyrbriggsson’s brace. Saevar gets standing ovations as he leaves the pitch, and Eythor Thorvalds can net a goal for himself too after Torpedo’s defence visibly gave up late in the game.

Matchday 2
Admiral Storevik 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–0 Navigator Jaromirgrad
Rotor Värstjö 3–4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Libertas Bergheim 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 0–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–0 CASK Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad

SK Cuprum Grennvik and Navigator Jaromirgrad square off in a rematch of last season’s SFS B title fight on Friday night in Grennvik, and on a windy and bumpy pitch, Navigator are caught out within the first nine minutes as Jari Siilonen blasts past Anna Grönborg and finds… Mellberg, but her clearance is taken up by Eythor Thorvalds, who scores the 1-0 for the hosts. Anders Fjellberg on the right side does what he can to overturn the deficit, being clearly Jaromirgrad’s best player, but with Bregov narrowly missing a header from point blank range and Gregor Holmberg scoring the 2-0 off the bench, Cuprum keeps the better end for itself. On Saturday, Rotor Värstjö and FK Torpedo Pawlograd square off in a no-holds-barred chaotic fight. Novikov, having returned from his infection, scores the 1-0 after sixteen minutes, but after the half hour mark, Lea Mörk scores her first goal in purple. Jesper Gyldenstjerne then plays a brilliant pass to Halvert to set up the 2-1 at half time. But with Torpedo managing to come back after the break, they revert the score to 2-3; and while Karamasov cuts it to 3-3, a final ten minute goal by an overlapping Kenna-Tang secures the win for FK Torpedo.
Finally, on Sunday night, in the Match of the Week, the Jarnstad Derby is up for grabs in the Metall stadium. Metall’s winger duo of Damjan Emin and Paavo Jarmakoski is running circles around the midfield but keeps getting stuck in Lok’s skilled wingbacks; on the other side, Rawic can’t contend with the physicality of the Metall defence. Deadlocked at the first half, the second half opens with a bang as Klaebo plays a long ball over the heads of everyone, and Trikhichev manages to take it past Garner to score the leading goal. It’s not enough, however. Tristana Palsdottir is charged to have blocked Pedersen illegitimately during a heading duel, and the following penalty is converted by Kanarin. With the score at 1-1 now, a bit after an hour, Ubelteso Amilaga takes a pass away and launches Jarmakoski, who can get the better of Zeperin for once, and Knasmuller… grasps at nothing as Jarmakoski beats him in the near corner, thanks to what can only be called a blunder, and gives Metall the home victory in the Derby.

Matchday 3
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
RLSK Pawlograd 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
ASK Landsmark 1–1 Libertas Bergheim
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 5–2 ESK Storevik
Navigator Jaromirgrad 0–2 Rotor Värstjö
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
CASK Thorsborg 3–2 Admiral Storevik

Partisan, still winless, continue their title defence on a punishing schedule, facing off against Lok Jarnstad next. The away game against last season’s fourth place is a tough task, and it shows straight away as Mrdja frustrates herself against Tova Chiswick and Gerik Knasmuller. On the other side of things, Rawic gets a great shot on goal after twenty-three minutes, but Virulainen can deflect the ball past the post to save the scoreless draw into half time - although not without some chaos, as a goal by Lapanen is disallowed (correctly) for offside right before the break. A good seventy minutes into the game, Lok take the lead as Trikhichev beats Bjarnfinnr Arnason in the 1v1 and shoots before Broad can reach him, beating Virulainen high. A day later, FK Torpedo slam their foot onto the offensive throttle pedal again. A week after their 4-3 away win at Rotor, they defeat ESK Storevik 5-2, with two goals and an assist noted by Anselmo Viera on the right wing. The Ko-orenite is the clear match winner, but Johan Fjällvik also shines with two assists for the young new Torpedo player.
On Sunday night, it’s time for the first Army-Navy Derby of the season. CASK receive Admiral on a warm September evening and start with full swing. After ten minutes, Smolov already missed the far post by about five centimetres and a ranged shot by Arnar Jonsson forced a save out of Mucic. But it’s Admiral who take the lead after a lull state: Twenty minutes into the game, Rysti Erkalainen gets support from leftback Dubois, who crosses into the centre, where Tryphon Archer heads it past Valujev. By half time, it’s 1-1 as Jeraväinen gets a lucky punch in, but Admiral look better heading into the second half. The Storevikers press for the first fifteen minutes but find nothing as Archer sins in front of the goal twice; and then, a counter ends with Oakes shouldering off Smolov, the CASK striker going down, and Arnar Jons scoring from the spot for a 2-1 lead for the hosts. Following a three minute break to let smoke from pyros dissipate, CASK seem to be firmly in the driver’s seat, and new signing Rasmus Medberg Hansen scores his first SFS A goal with fifteen minutes to go, enough to keep Admiral’s final offence at bay.

Matchday 4
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
CASK Thorsborg 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 1–2 Navigator Jaromirgrad
Libertas Bergheim 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 RLSK Pawlograd
Landsmarks Industrie 1–0 ASK Landsmark

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn stumbled on day one, when ESK tore them apart following a red card and an injury with no substitutions left; however, two straight victories smell of rehabilitation for the red and white. On Friday they travel to Jarnstad to face Metall, and they start out with a commanding performance. Only six minutes are played when Charlotte Pala plays a magistral long ball out to Pickton, who drops it back to Phoen; a one-two with Tretjakov puts the Chromatik in a position to send Khedira deep, and eye to eye with Mookie Danube, the Quebecois sends the ball out to the left where Nichajev can tap it into an empty goal. Flying high on this spectacular goal, Dynamo shred through Metall’s midfield, with Tretjakov pulling strings and setting up the 2-0 by Vitale with a precise through ball. In the end, it’s a clean 3-0 for Dynamo. Lok’s visit to CASK takes a bit longer to come to any sort of fruition, as the incredibly on-form Jekaterina Smolov takes an early lead for the hosts, but the Jarnstaders mount an incredibly dominant second half attack. With 69% possession and a 8-2 shot distribution in the second half, it’s a question of time for Lok, but it does take until the 89th minute for Klaebo’s long ball to find a charging Ericsson, and his pass to the centre does find the stretched out leg of Bogdan Rawic for the equaliser.
In Landsmark, ASK travel across town to the Arbeternas Stadion to face off against local rivals Industrie. And the Industrialists are playing with some sort of holy fervour reserved for a derby, troubling ASK with an incredibly intense and physical play. Captain Elsa Lund nearly catches a red card as she doesn’t tackle Eve Lovelace as much as simply run over the Brenecian, but gets away with yellow. Justiina Tapio then puts the fear of God into Afanasenko as she slides in from a long distance to precisely take the ball off his foot in the box, a split second before also sending the striker flying off (although in accordance with the rules). Bergquist also takes a ball off the surprised Valentin Gusev, but can’t get it past Pakanen. Goals have to wait until the second half, when Karolina Vaitanen can take an insufficient clear to put it into the net, for the only goal of the match.

Matchday 5
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–0 Admiral Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 1–4 CASK Thorsborg
ASK Landsmark 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Navigator Jaromirgrad 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
AFK Savojagrad 2–2 Rotor Värstjö
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 ESK Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

It’s expected on Friday night that eyes will be on Lok vs. Admiral, but with that fixture devolving into a slog that ends in a scoreless and also nearly chanceless draw, attention shifts to CASK’s not very tense, but pretty spectacular defeat of RLSK Pawlograd. Key member of the victory is Kimi Hartikainen, who poses a challenge that Serebrjakov can’t solve and feeding two assists to Medberg Hansen, who is convincing in his poacher role, if neglectful at the back. Johan Ludvigsson at least manages to score a temporary 1-3 before young playmaking talent Helena Jagerby scores the fourth goal for CASK. On Saturday night, AFK Savojagrad and Rotor Värstjö play out a spectacular game, even though it does not look like it after the first half hour. With Sabine Bar playing a magistral pass onto the flank to Levin, who scores twelve minutes in, and Norderberg missing just high, it looks like an AFK victory without much trouble; something reinforced as Annika Jokelainen heads in a corner after half an hour. But in the second half, a small change in the lineup of Rotor changes things up. Youngster Jenny Ahlqvist in the back is sent out to create havoc, and does just that, running deep to play a cross that Halvert converts at the far post first, and then getting the free kick that Gyldenstjerne uses to set up a header by veteran Harald Barnerud for the 2-2.
On Sunday night, it’s derbytime in Sjoedrhavn, and the stage is set for a spectacle as Partisan - still winless with one loss and three draws against tough competition - play Dynamo away in torrential rain. The rain seems to stop Dynamo’s quick wingers somewhat, and Alvesen almost profits twice with good heading chances in the first half, but is denied first by Nymark, then by Arrowsmith. On the other side, a cross by Pickton nearly finds Nichajev as the striker falls in the box against Alyssa Broad. The referee gives a penalty, but upon review, decides Nichajev has slipped and was already on his way down as Broad touched him. In the torrential rain, things get heated again in the final minutes as Dynamo joker Lise Stromberg runs deep and gets a pass from former Partisan player Jelena Tretjakov, but misses wide. A scoreless draw helps neither team as Tretjakov leaves the pitch under the congratulations and hugs of her former teammates, in a friendly but tensely fought Sjoedrhavn Derby.

Savojar Cup Preliminary Round
FK Freya Grennvik 2–0 Högvald FK
Victoria Haukkala 6–0 Grigori Kartjov FK St. Pjotr
FF Parken Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Nord-Sjoedrhavn FF
Jon Palsson IF Ljörvik 3–1 Bjurman Mävle
Ostemkin Revolution 0–1 Birga IF
SFK Barjovo 1–6 Hallsberga Vikingur
FK Vestermalm Thorsborg 1–1 Virkaja 1914 FK (3–1 AET)
RFK Storevik 0–0 Thor Sejersheim (0–0 AET) (4–5 pen.)
Norderhaven Drakken 0–0 Aurum Kjefla (2–1 AET)
SK Ullström 0–1 International Johnsberg
SK Marjanoli 1–1 Virovsk St. Andrei (2–1 AET)
Imperial Storevik 1–0 Juventus Bergheim

The relatively uninteresting first round comprised of the regional divisions is a tradition by now, with the only really remarkable events being a 6-0 trouncing of Grigori Kartjov FK St. Pjotr by the hands of Victoria Haukkala, who are playing themselves into a frenzy in the second half, and a dramatic shootout victory by Thor Sejersheim over RFK Storevik. The Sejersheimers are starting out by missing two penalties, but then, goalkeeper Oystein Hoesflot saves the fourth shot by RFK and the fifth one goes wide, sending the match into two rounds of sudden death. Vestermalm Thorsborg also win at home against Virkaja 1914 through some spectacle, scoring the equaliser in the last five minutes after being down since the very first fifteen, but carrying the energy from that late draw over into extra time to score twice more.

Matchday 6
Admiral Storevik 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Rotor Värstjö 1–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 Navigator Jaromirgrad
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 ASK Landsmark
Lokomotive Jarnstad 3–1 RLSK Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 3–0 AFK Savojagrad

CASK Thorsborg host Dynamo Sjoedrhavn in a clash of two hopefuls that expect to make a step forward in the table towards the Champions League. It begins accordingly, with spirited play and fervent attacks on both sides, but between Mohamed Khedira and Jelena Tretjakov both a bit off their aim and Tanith Arrowsmith stopping shots from CASK’s strikers, it’s scoreless after 35 minutes, at which point play starts to slow down a little. For much of the second half, it appears as if the two teams are arranging themselves with the result; but then, with twenty minutes to go, Dynamo find some new energy with the substitution of a gassed Vitale for Laura Polve. The right winger beats Klaey with her stamina advantage, and finds a pass to the centre that Teranen can’t miss for the victory. A day later, Libertas and Savojars Vinge turn what was a boring slog into a dramatic finish in the last fifteen minutes. Patrik Paasio, having fallen back into central midfield, kicks things off with a spectacular laser pass through the lines that Packard-Grey takes on; and while the Taeshani winger’s shot is defended by Trischuk, the Libertas keeper is chanceless against Voynov’s rebound. It seems like SVV seal victory as Vukkila heads a ball into the net six minutes later, but it’s a foul by the striker; and with three minutes to go, on the other side Andrea Vithoulkas suddenly appears alone in front of Tristan and scores to finish the game 1-1.
On Sunday night, ESK Storevik host AFK Savojagrad in a duel of midfield staples. Both know they need to get points in games like these, against similar strength opposition; but only ESK can make good of that goal as Savojagrad are error-prone and uncharacteristically wasteful up front. Coupled with a more than deadly performance by Lipa Kuznetsov and Eddie Guweddeko, ESK secure victory and go home with three points in the bag.

Matchday 7
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Admiral Storevik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Navigator Jaromirgrad 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–2 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 7–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 2–2 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 ESK Storevik
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Rotor Värstjö
ASK Landsmark 2–1 CASK Thorsborg

On most days, a Partisan Sjoedrhavn victory over FK Torpedo would be report-worthy but nothing too relevant. Today, however, it marks the first victory of the season for the defending champions, who had a terrible season start as they are marred by poor luck, a difficult schedule, and a certain sluggishness in coming back from a long season. Today, however, not much can be said against the Partisans. 35 minutes in, a re-activated Steinar Aarsoy crosses the ball in for Lars Alvesen to coldly poach a goal, and a well-controlled midfield holds the line until the end. Across town, their local rivals Dynamo absolutely obliterate Lok Jarnstad in a surprising result. They benefit a little bit from Tristana Palsdottir being injured, but even without her, this is unacceptable for Lok - Anna Guweddeko takes a contested and much debated red card in the second half, and it doesn’t help Lok, but the performance they show is simply terrible. On the other side, Wallace Pickton and Mohamed Khedira have a great day, one of them being involved in five of seven Dynamo goals.
But it’s Sunday that eyes are on as CASK travel to Landsmark for the Army Duel. ASK Landsmark, on home soil and backed by a massive display of support, kick things off with a bang: Only four minutes in, a through ball by Bengtsdottir finds Afanasenko, but the following shot bounces off the crossbar after getting past Valujev. Twenty minutes later, they actually do take the lead as Paddi Gren scores from range; but before the break, CASK equalise thanks to Arnar Jonsson’s pass to Smolov being timed perfectly. Arnar is also at the heart of the next goal, as he plays a bad pass that Eve Lovelace takes down the field before sending Hedman deep with a diagonal ball, and while CASK cover both strikers, it’s the right midfielder himself who converts, scoring the winning goal for ASK.

Savojar Cup Round 1

The focus of the first round are usually any potential SFS A clashes - but for once, there are barely any. The first top flight duel is AFK Savojagrads cagey, careful affair against Rotor Värstjö, which doesn’t go anywhere for ninety minutes, the best chance being a cross by Levin that sails far past any AFK strikers. On the other side, Karamasov has the chance at a lucky punch in injury time but sends the ball hilariously high over the bar. In extra time, somehow, a ball bounces off multiple legs to Robin Norderberg, who secures victory for last year’s cup finalists AFK Savojagrad. In the other matchup, SK Cuprum Grennvik manage to trouble ESK Storevik and benefit from a massive mistake of Rolfrsson in extra time: ESK’s goalkeeper comes out of his goal to play a pass, but shoots it straight to Saevar Fybriggsson for an easy 1-0 for Cuprum. Transport Hovikkära haven’t been in the SFS A for over five years, but still almost trip up Lok Jarnstad with a defensive fervour that catches the visitors off guard. In the end, nerves get the better of Transport’s strikers in the shootout, resulting in a narrow victory for the SFS A side. Landsmarks Industrie also have to go to the shootout against Kallora IF, a side known for being a dangerous cup opponent; but much like Lok, they are playing out their superior nerves in that discipline to take home victory. CASK also shiver in a local “derby” against FK Vestermalm Thorsborg, who celebrate a party at their small neighbourhood stadium, with an estimated 6’500 people arriving at a ground with an official capacity of 3’800. It all remains peaceful, though, as CASK win 1-0 in a never threatening, but nonetheless well-received and spirited effort by the Vestermalm team. Finally, drama reigns supreme in Trollsheim, where Jarnsmän and Elektron Harkka fight themselves to an epic 6-7 that is fraught with terrible defence, and three red cards in total, resulting in a chaotic match that will probably be remembered for a while despite the teams’ low profiles.

Matchday 8
Admiral Storevik 3–1 Rotor Värstjö
Libertas Bergheim 2–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Landsmarks Industrie 2–2 AFK Savojagrad
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ESK Storevik 3–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Navigator Jaromirgrad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–2 ASK Landsmark
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
CASK Thorsborg 2–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

Admiral Storevik have been calmly collecting points, sitting in third place behind Dynamo and surprise second placed local rivals ESK. On Friday, they are showing once more why they are doing so well, as they host a surprising fifth placed Rotor Värstjö. The purple men have been doing well off Jesper Gyldenstjerne’s addition, but he is shut down by the defensive might of Birkir Evaldsson. Next to Birkir, Arianna Berger drives play forward relentlessly, and with Tryphon Archer the ever-cold poacher, it’s 2-0 for Admiral by half time. The Storevik side simply doesn’t make many mistakes, and despite a great effort by Värstjö, they win 3-1. ESK, however, follow up the day after, in a difficult game against SK Cuprum Grennvik. Rune Zackrisson’s side shows some opening nervousness as a poor pass by Nepriajev sees Cuprum’s Santala intercept the ball, send Olasdottir deep and put Cuprum ahead. ESK, however, are not shook at all; Kuznetsov and Lajunen reverse score by half time. Jari Siilonen’s temporary equaliser is not enough as Isabelle Christian scores from range to put ESK back on second place. Over in Pawlograd, Lew Nyborg’s seat is shaking heavily. FK Torpedo sit down in 14th as they travel to Thorsborg for a difficult game against fourth-placed CASK - and get trounced as Smolov and Arnar Jons bring them ahead 2-0 by 40 minutes. But Nyborg pulls out his tricks at half time, substituting captain Tabur for the more offensive Overby. It works, as Overby is carrying a ball through the field and sends Novikov deep for the 2-1, before a cross by another joker in Heli Latvala finds Serebrjakov for the equaliser.

Standings

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn            8    6   1   1    15    8   +7    19
 2 ESK Storevik                 8    5   1   2    18   10   +8    16
 3 Admiral Storevik             8    4   3   1    12    7   +5    15
 4 Libertas Bergheim            8    3   4   1    11    7   +4    13
 5 CASK Thorsborg               8    3   3   2    14   10   +4    12
 6 Rotor Värstjö                8    3   2   3    11   11    0    11
 7 Savojars Vinge Virkaja       8    2   5   1     5    5    0    11
 8 FK Metall Jarnstad           8    3   2   3     6    8   −2    11
 9 Navigator Jaromirgrad        8    3   2   3     6    9   −3    11
10 Lokomotive Jarnstad          8    3   2   3     9   14   −5    11
11 SK Cuprum Grennvik           8    3   1   4     9    6   +3    10
12 Dynamo Novaya Russica        8    2   4   2     6    6    0    10
13 Landsmarks Industrie         8    2   3   3     7    7    0     9
14 ASK Landsmark                8    2   2   4     6    7   −1     8
15 FK Torpedo Pawlograd         8    2   2   4    12   17   −5     8
16 Partisan Sjoedrhavn          8    1   4   3     6    9   −3     7
17 AFK Savojagrad               8    0   5   3     7   12   −5     5
18 RLSK Pawlograd               8    1   2   5     5   12   −7     5

SFS B Roundup

Two teams dominate the start of the season as FK Sjoedrhavn and Nemstvo SK are both winning their first three games. FKS in particular stand out, demolishing Union Roopere 6-1 on the first day, with Irina Mijatov and Trina Mortensen being the key players. Nemstvo, on the other hand, are mostly carried by their goalkeeper Svjatoslav Triakhov and newly signed centre-back Alexander Vistojlo, who combine for two clean sheets in three games. On MD4, the two early leaders meet at Nemstvo, and while Triakhov is beaten for the second time by veteran Hrolfr Bjarnason, FKS can’t make it stick as 19 year old Nemstvo striker Alina Brusov uses her speed to score off a counter before Einar Moe heads in a corner for the Russian side to take over the lead. Despite their first loss coming the week after, Nemstvo hold on to the lead of the B after eight matchdays, two points ahead of another surprise package in Polar Grundviken who ride U-21 NT goalkeeper Juuse Kentala all the way to second place; traditional B staples Metsuri and Odin are just one more point behind.

The new additions Traktor and Energie might have been big favourites for re-promotion, but they need time to readjust. Traktor St. Andrei under their new coach and former youth trainer Oleg Rentov are clearly showing some coordination issues early on, but bounce back to a strong phase and climb to fifth place, within striking distance of the top. But Energie are still struggling under their new financial issues; Jotan Baldursson has stayed on but looks on the verge of quitting as his team collects draw after draw, sitting in fifth with just one victory to their name. Another surprise is Transport Hovikkära; a side that seemed to finally have found a more healthy middle ground between forcing old stars and rebuilding has completely lost track as they sit in 15th with just three wins. At the very back, two teams are still winless; promotees RAS St. Andrei and a terrible Motor Johansborg, who at this rate look at risk of plummeting all the way to the Nationalligaen.

   SFS B                 Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Nemstvo SK              8    6   1   1    15    7   +8    19
 2 Polar Grundviken        8    5   2   1    10    3   +7    17
 3 Metsuri Virkaja         8    5   1   2    11    5   +6    16
 4 FK Odin Kjaershavn      8    5   1   2    11    6   +5    16
 5 Traktor St. Andrei      8    4   2   2    20    9  +11    14
 6 Framfarir Kjefla        8    4   1   3    18   10   +8    13
 7 Elektron Harkka         8    4   1   3    15    8   +7    13
 8 FK Sjoedrhavn           8    4   1   3    15   14   +1    13
 9 Union Roopere           8    4   1   3    11   14   −3    13
10 Energie Thorsborg       8    2   5   1     7    8   −1    11
11 FK Chemie Frisks        8    3   1   4    11   11    0    10
12 Mir Nestrovo            8    3   1   4     7    8   −1    10
13 Norrhavn FK             8    3   1   4     6   11   −5    10
14 Valdhavn IF             8    2   3   3     5    6   −1     9
15 Transport Hovikkära     8    3   0   5     5    8   −3     9
16 Jarov Jarovsk           8    1   2   5     6   15   −9     5
17 RAS St. Andrei          8    0   3   5     0    8   −8     3
18 Motor Johansborg        8    0   1   7     5   27  −22     1

by **Savojarna** » Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:33 am

SavojarSports.sj - inside reports from all Savojarna
SFFB puts brutal transfer sanctions on the league

By Pernilla Andersson

Sjoedrhavn - The Savojar Federal Football Association (SFFB) yesterday announced the enforcement of a one-year blanket moratorium on all transfers as it researches widespread violations of financial regulations in the SFS A. Multiple teams have been found guilty of offering under-the-table bonus payments to players that did not show up in the official books, allowing them to attract more prominent names while keeping the balanced books required by the SFFB. For instance, Rotor Värstjö midfielder Jesper Gyldenstjerne has been reported to have been given a significant staggered bonus to lower his initial salary impact; an anonymous former Landsmarks Industrie administrator claimed that sponsor Landsmarks Automobilen has offered defender Justiina Tapio a new LA Drakken sports car outside the team’s books to lure her to Industrie. Between clubs, there were reports of collusion as well: Alexander Sobchuk’s transfer from Traktor St. Andrei to FK Torpedo was reportedly accomplished via a secret agreement to give future transfer privileges to Traktor in return for a lowered transfer sum, in order to ensure balanced books.

Accusations of such violations were widespread, but largely unproven, as many of the activities did happen on a very high level with minimal to no paper trail (at least not on public records). As a result, the SFFB refrained from point or financial punishments for the moment, reserving the right to do so after it concludes its investigation. On the press conference, the committee announced: “We don’t have clear reasons to believe that specific teams gained an unfair advantage, as most of them were implicated in one way or another. If we gain specific proof of unfair advantages being gained, we will sanction them according to the SFS rulebook; as of now, we decided to opt for the careful approach of freezing the status quo while we investigate its failures”. The transfer freeze means no new players will find their way into the SFS A, with the only exception being NFA Högvald graduates and players who joined a team’s youth academy before the beginning of the SFS 16 season.

There were, however, sanctions taken against four other teams for unrelated offences: Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and Dynamo Novaya Russica, FK Torpedo Pawlograd and Admiral Storevik, and ASK Landsmark and CASK Thorsborg have all been found guilty of violating the independence clause of the SFS A banning sister teams. While the technicalities vary, they all related to some extent of preferential treatment of the “master team” by the former farm team. Most spectacularly, the transfer of Johan Fjällvik of Admiral to FK Torpedo appears to have been carried out on the basis of a complex financial structure that resulted in extra funds being given to Admiral to balance their books. Most of the blame falls onto the secondary teams (DNR, Torpedo, and ASK) as they were ruled to have violated the rule that states “each team has to compete honestly, with the highest table placement possible as a goal”. As a result, they have all three been fined heavily and been deducted five points for the upcoming season. Fines have also been given to the three major teams. In addition, CASK Thorsborg president Andrei Pariajev has been suspended for one year from all SFFB activities for a personal sponsorship deal with ASK Landsmark violating the independence rule. However, as no club funds were involved with the deal, the punishment is a personal sanction to Pariajev.

SFS 17 Season Preview (Part 1/2)

Elektron Harkka (Last season: SFS B 2.)

Origin and identity: Elektron were a collection of village clubs that had no ambition to go beyond amateur until the 1950s, when Savojarna’s authorities searched for a nuclear research site and found it in a relatively remote Northern Sumani area. As the area began to grow into the core of Savojar nuclear industry, a small but relevant part of energy until the 1990s, when a renewed investment into hydro and wind turned the tide, it grew into a loose city, equipped with a great technical university, that adopted the team and shaped it into a solid second-division side that lacks a real ultra scene, but has a very big casual fandom.
Tactics: Elektron are known for a particular philosophy, as they tend to draw their coaches from their own youth system: Fast, offensive football, usually resting on a back three and two versatile wingbacks. Ilari Suhonen is entirely playing in this mold, setting his team up in a 3-4-3 with what are wingbacks on paper, but play extremely far forward; his wingers are second and third strikers, always aiming for the goal. In the A, Elektron might have to play a bit more defence, which they tend to do aggressively and physically.
Key players: Alexandra Tsygankov on the left wing is probably the most well-known name, having been touted as an SFS A staple for a while but never quite making the breakthrough. Together with Hektor Strandt, she has taken the team onto a rampage in the Cup five years ago, falling only in the semifinals to ultimate winners RLSK Pawlograd and eliminating both Dynamos in the process. Many players from that same generation form the core of this side now: Ilja Porjagin in central midfield, playmaker Henrik Zenqvist, and right wingback Sanne Helmstred have all been part of this team in some capacity. Stanislav Misenov in goal has been Elektron’s defensive rock on the way here; ahead of him, Niina Saparinen is a player with a decade of SFS A experience for Chemie Frisks, ASK Landsmark and AFK Savojagrad who joined her youth team last season.
Expectations: Cuprum Grennvik have proven that promotees can surprise, and with the team now remaining intact, Elektron have better chances than any recent promotee to hang on and make a splash. However, this is also a side that is riding a golden generation and playing a little above their own weight; while they are unlikely to be as hopeless as Mir Nestrovo or the first stint of FK Sjoedrhavn in the top flight, they are the clear “favourites” for relegation.

Stadium: Stadion Savojarnas Kansallinen Teknillinen Yliopisto Harkka (capacity: 15'290)
Manager: Ilari Suhonen (44)
Expected formation: 3-4-3
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Energie Thorsborg (SFS B Champions)

Origin and identity: Having been formed in the 1890s, Energie are one of the oldest clubs in Thorsborg and were a founding member of the Savojar League. They are a notorious mid-table team, but have had a high time in the early SFS days with back-to-back cup victories. Formed out of the electricity workers of Thorsborg, this club has become a representative of the Western part of the city, and many traditional workers support them.
Tactics: Sven Byggsvild is a young coach coming up through the SFS B ranks, and made some sweeping changes to the team relegated a year ago. Still offensively minded, but now relying on a four-man midfield supported by a pivot in defence, this is a team that is much more physical and running-heavy than its predecessors. The flat four interchange positions frequently and make deep runs, in conjunction with the striker dropping off to rip holes into enemy defences.
Key Players: Byggsvild’s Fab Four in the midfield are really running this show. From left to right, Lars Metalkov, Linus Nöysten, Ole Ingvildsen and Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen are a quartet of fast, technically gifted midfielders with an average age of less than 21 years, and they have been running circles around the opposition in the B with some help of striker Victoria Borgen. Behind them, Baard Andersen is shielding them in a more defensive role than usual, able to swap up into the flat four for more stability with Tarje Sandbeck as a pivot. In defence, Zibo Olberg and Mah Huang are still going strong despite having crossed the 30 year mark by now, backing up Ulf Svensson in goal; however, the power of this team lies in its offensive spectacle.
Expectation: Energie have decided to go for a radical change down in the B, and came up with an exciting squad - but also an unproven quantity. Playing with many U-21 eligible players and a manager without any SFS A experience, they might have stumbled upon golden talent or picked a terrible side. In all likelihood, they will stave off relegation and not much more; but they might keep themselves afloat.

Stadium: National Energiekollektivets Arena (capacity: 48’600)
Manager: Sven Byggsvild (40)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

AFK Savojagrad (16.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1903 as a student club at the University of Savojagrad, a bastion of the Russian Unionist movement as well as conservatism. Disbanded in 1910 and refounded 1917 as a much more open-minded and internationally oriented club, the side is nowadays associated with an international, young, and vibrant public - very much in tune with the general transformation of Savojagrad into a cosmopolitan, trendy tech and creativity hub. Aka is the oldest student club of the country, viewed as a team of intellectuals who will lose themselves in tactical intricacies.
Tactics: Despite a coach change, much will remain the same: Gennadi Velitskin’s AFK U-21 was a similarly fluid side that can move the ball fast through the centre and use their traditionally strong playmakers for distribution, or play over their wingers. After a spell of defensive football disliked by the audience, this is now a creative side, although some players haven’t fully caught up yet. Traditionally value a relatively stationary dedicated playmaker in a classical 10 position, and have created some spectacular players in that position.
Key Players: With club legend and former captain Kevin Nordmark retired at 38, Erland Lerum needs to show he is ready to take AFK forward. Ahead of him, Lars Larsson is a rock that shields Savojagrad’s creative offence; left wingback Lyn Townsend has shown her worth as well, shoring up the left flanks and providing many crosses to the dangerous strikers of AFK. With the central defence a bit pedestrian, this will be important. Vanorian prospect Sabine Bar has entirely grown into the traditionally strong AFK playmaker role, allowing her to take centre stage in this team. Robin Norderberg forms a competitive striker trio of Hjort and Kovalenko; hanging striker Pohja Ulkanen has left the club again and been replaced by youth talent Grigori Jebatsenko. Behind the striker squad, Natalja Levin on the right wing has become a secret tip for one of Savojarna’s future stars, and wants to show off her skill.
Expectations: With some of the architects behind the Academics’ prior success gone, Savojagrad have a long way to go to improve from a disappointing 16th place last season. A few smart transfers would have helped, but that was not an option - so instead, AFK swapped around their coaches, promoting Emil Haraldson’s understudy from the U-21 Gennadi Veletskin.

Stadion: NUSArena (capacity: 21’600)
Manager: Gennadi Velitskin (38)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 diamond
Transfers incoming: Ruslan Sigorov (GK, NFA Högvald Vit, 0) | outgoing: Kevin Nordmark (GK, retirement)

Savojars Vinge Virkaja (15.)

Origin and identity: The team was founded in 1946 as the representative of the Savojar Air Force. From its beginning, it was supposed to challenge the domination of CASK and Admiral, but struggled to achieve this. SVV see themselves as representing the technical side of Savojarna, and have been associated with high technical skill and tactical sophistication. Their fans are known to be sort of fickle, but have been humbled by three seasons in the SFS B, forcing the side to reinvent itself as a more youth-focused, creative side.
Tactics: Traditionally, Virkaja play a fluid 4-3-3, which fits well with their young and energetic core. They can be expected to run and pass a lot, and have their wingers orient themselves towards the goal. Traditionally, they are highly offensive, and emphasise their defenders to join the offence; in the B, they have somewhat mellowed, but also put their strikers on extensive pressing duty to force errors. All offensive players are typically aiming to score, and frequently swap positions as the situation requires.
Key Players: It turns out you cannot just throw money at the team and expect something to stick: With Voynov frequently in poor form, and Markus Packard-Grey spending part of the season injured, SVV showed fragility. A strong midfield axis in Aho and Paasio gets supported by a younger but somewhat unproven goalkeeper in Tristan Vilhjalmursson. In defence, Vibeke Mortensen remains a core player and showed yet another season where she was rarely exciting, but never disappointing; up front, Vukkila, Bjergsen, and Packard-Grey will all scramble for a single striker spot (although the latter will likely be played on the right wing). The main issue of SVV at this point is that the transfer ban stopped them from a much-needed rejuvenation.
Expectations: SVV have proven that they can keep up with the midfield in the past season, but fell completely flat with what should have been a stronger team. A lot hinges on the top players in this side, and if they are in shape, they might well return to the top half like the fans exist. But if they are not showing up, it will be pain in Virkaja again.

Stadium: Patrik Suhonen Stadion (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Aleksi Matiainen (44)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Transfers incoming: - | outgoing: -

Landsmarks Industrie (14.)

Origin and identity: A typical Savojar union of numerous local and union clubs, Industrie were established in 1919 by fusion of a number of local clubs, and hardly got past the midfield of the top flight. This side is historically known as an aggressive bunch of no-nonsense people. Popular in the city of Landsmark, with the surroundings supporting ASK. They are proud of their youth development and many of their players stick with the team for a long time, earning them praise from fans even if they may be mediocre at football.
Tactics: An often spectacular side that often may be less talented, but overcomes it with high pressure football. They emphasise speed and strength over talent, but often surprise. Aggressive pressing in two blocks of four is a given with this side, and they have a penchant for finding quick, dangerous, and highly efficient strikers that go on to play big roles at the club, or sometimes at other SFS A teams.
Key Players: Karolina Vaitanen had a tough task last season in replacing Gabriel Klinger, club legend and main striker of the team. She has filled his boots reasonably well despite being a vastly different player type. Interesting will be the centre midfield, composed of a veteran in Namenkov (or Matrojev, if required) and one of two young players, Elsa Lund, who played a confident and reliable game in the B, and Farfadillis’ Balázs Mészáros. In the last season, the Farf midfielder could convince and might see more playtime, with his relentless and occasionally chaotic play invigorating Industrie. The defence of this side had been between pedestrian and shaky, with the only real shining player being Victoria Liljeström as a hard-working, intelligent leftback. Industrie identified this as their main issue, bringing in a well-proven defender in Justiina Tapio from Traktor to deliver more consistency.
Expectations: Landsmarks Industrie are known to alternate between being able to beat just about everyone, and also being able to be slapped around by about everyone. There was a bit of slapping done last season, but overall, the results were fine: Relegation was no big concern, and LI are establishing themselves further. This is once more the goal for a squad that should be rejuvenating itself, but struggles to do so under the transfer ban.

Stadium: Landsmarks Arbetarnas Stadion (capacity: 22’900)
Manager: Mika Aleksen (51)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: – | Outgoing: –

Rotor Värstjö (13.)

Origin and identity: Värstjö became the centre of the Savojar aircraft industry in the 1930s and formed a football team soon after due to the influx of workers. They were never successful, with their SFS 8 seventh place being an all-time record, but widely regarded in high esteem by neutrals. A union team from a smallish town in Vestrholm, they have been described as "suffering from a constant inferiority complex", but coped decently with it.
Tactics: They prioritise fast, creative play over the sides and typically use a strong playmaker to find their wingers or strikers and create chances. The defence is committed and usually rests on the backs of a few stable rocks that will make sure there are no major gaps for the opponent to exploit. A focus on youth players and speedy actors that can employ a press and counter quickly.
Key Players: Two names stand out: Jesper Gyldenstjerne and Lea Mörk, who have arrived from Energie (on potentially sketchy grounds that led to the transfer ban) last season, and instantly delivered in pulling Rotor up to the lower midfield. Up ahead, Fridtjof Jansrud has been supplanted by former Energie supertalent Erik Skargaard in the playmaking position; Karamasov remained as the cold poacher up front. Behind the duo, Albin Lindblom in goal commands a solid defence centered around Anders Hangren; Stroganov and Hemsberg will share playtime next to him. Perhaps the most interesting players in this team are the versatile Kristina Halvert, whose prime value is her ability to fill in wherever needed, and young academy talent Morten Asgreen, who is trying to snatch the right wing position from her. Thomas Jacobsen is another young prospect, brought in from Högvald using the youth exception of the SFFB ban to replace the retiring Barnerud.
Expectations: Bringing in two players who are very, very solidly SFS A calibre was a good move that probably saved Rotor from sweating heavily for relegation. However, it’s still hard to get too excited about what’s going on in Värstjö, and the goal will probably be maintaining their SFS A status once more. Still, they enter that battle as one of the lower midfield favourites.

Stadium: Värstjös Samfunnetsstadion (capacity: 22’000)
Manager: Boris Nergaard (47)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: Jenny Ahlqvist (LB, Framfarir Kjefla, 2)*, Thomas Jacobsen (CM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | Outgoing: Harald Barnerud (CM, retirement), Fridtjof Jansrud (OM, retirement)
*: Jenny Ahlqvist’s transfer was approved by the SFFB, as it was part of a loan contract signed before SFS 16.

FK Torpedo Pawlograd (12.)

Origin and identity: Established in 1944 in reaction to ASK Landsmark, Torpedo were supposed to represent the new spirit of the Navy and be the prime “communist club” in Russica. Proud of their backing and symbolic role, they traditionally value skill and elegance; however, they are also notorious for unrest off the pitch. Both their fans, which are known to get violent in games against city rivals and traditionally Russian Nationalists RLSK (although that goes both ways), and their management, which is known for little patience with coaches, can cause storms around a chronically inconsistent side.
Tactics: A fast, modern side that employs heavy pressing and plays around a fluid front four in a nominal 4-3-3. They are backed up by two defensive midfielders supposed to stop attacks and build up the game, but Nyborg has been known to give his playmakers more withdrawn roles as well, leading to a flatter 4-3-3 than what is commonly played by offensive sides.
Key Players: Quebecois central midfielder Emma Kenna-Tang has established herself well in the Torpedo midfield, as has striker Ilja Serebrjakov up front. Ruslan Novikov finally managed to make his name in the SFS A alongside Serebrjakov and Viera; however, the trio has not quite made up for the loss of two Northlights. Now, they also have to make up for another loss in Patrik Paasio, who was replaced by Admiral youngster Johan Fjällvik. This means the defence will have to be on point. Selvala Tabur has been performing consistently in midfield and has been handed the captain’s armband in return, and with Ludvik Stepanek coming into his own, the defence looks better and better for Torpedo. Finally, Sergey Sharin has carried a lot of weight for a long time, and with no opportunity to find backup for him this off-season, it will continue to be demanded of him.
Expectations: Finally, the long-expected fall of Torpedo back into the midfield has actually happened. As the team hasn’t quite managed to replace its losses in offence, this fall is probably likely to last a bit longer than one season, but they are clearly among the better midfield sides. With the -5 point handicap on their shoulders, Torpedo will need a surprise to get above a midfield spot.

Stadium: Stadion Admiral Rjurden (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Lew Nyborg (50)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Dynamo Novaya Russica (11.)

Origin and identity: Founded as policemen's club in 1915, turned into a representative team in 1938. Used to be a development team for Dynamo Sjoedrhavn until the 70s, which led to the Dynamo Rivalry. The second police club is also particularly popular in most places, but due to a lack of other clubs in Novaya Russica, they moved from police club to representing NR. Recently gained traction among locals, but still mostly hated nationally.
Tactics: A classical defensive Savojar team: defensive, tough to break down and relying on a tight midfield to counter the opponent down. Despite a change in leadership, their stint in the B did not change their tactics whatsoever; however, there is now more emphasis on finding players that can also provide some technical ability. Often using a fast striker to bring in offence, and sometimes a hanging striker within the midfield five. In the centre, the midfield tends to lie deep, with the wingers providing the main offensive drive to bring balls into the front third.
Key Players: Quebecois prospect Hugo Yoon proved last season that he is very much up to the task of replacing Jovanova in the goal of DNR. Along with him, Novaya Russica finally managed to have some youth options in their team with players like Heinonen and Sjapovalov. Most importantly, however, they finally managed to boosted their offensive power in signing Alexander Sobchuk on the left flank; the defence also got another boost thanks to Rjurik Hoegh joining the team. Juri Sandrajev shall secure things up front; Zhilin and Sjavopalov are likely to be sharing the playtime alongside him. In the central midfield, Erik Ahlund has left to Lok Jarnstad after only one season; Odvar Jotansson is probably ending up to take over part of the duty alongside the newly signed veteran replacement Valeri Makanov. Rumour has it Andrea Najmina was already out of the door for retirement, when the transfer ban convinced her to stick around for one more year.
Expectations: Consistency carried Dynamo to a surprising tenth place in SFS 15 - and they almost repeated it, with a little help from their friends in Sjoedrhavn. That help now cost them five points, but they’re still as good as before in terms of their quality, pointing to a chance they can genuinely establish themselves in the midfield. Still, it will be a challenge, and if things go wrong, they will quickly drop back the table again.

Stadion: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 29’700)
Manager: Malte Ljungberg (44)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: – | Outgoing: –

ASK Landsmark (10.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1942 as a farm team for CASK, they got independent in the 1970s. Despite periodical success, they have largely been a mid-table team relying on a scrappy, defensive style of football to overcome their bigger rivals. As a state team with limited success, their fan base is sort of small and considered prone to bandwagoning, or abandoning the team in rougher times. Most people within the city support Landsmarks Industrie instead, considered much more of a “city team”.
Tactics: ASKL value hard work over technical brilliance. Tough defence and fast counter-attacks over the side are their key path to success. They operate a lot with long through balls from the midfield, and seek to find one of their killers up front. While the new coach, former U-21 coach Oleg Liparov, will bring in some changes, he is likely to keep the basics of the team the way it was before, especially given that his work at the U-21 was also heavily based on defence and stability.
Key Players: Iiro Pakanen. The Savojarna national team goalkeeper returned from Banija to this side, bolstering an already solid defence led by Delaclavan Valentin Gusev. Alongside Gusev, Jens Carlsen played a solid season and gets some more support in the shape of leftback Darya Macar. Up ahead, ASK rejuvenated its central midfield by signing Lok’s polyvalent central midfielder Paddi Gren, an experienced player who will slot in next to Nepharan Eve Lovelace or Savojar Erland Sandahl. In attack, ASK rely heavily on a duo of sly poachers and scorers, with Ilari Litmanen being a heading monster, and Justus Rintanen adding a physical, box-lurker element. The weakness of ASK’s offence used to be finding someone who can reliably bring the ball to their strikers; however, it appears that Helga Bengtsdottir fits that bill perfectly, solving the issue at least in the last season.
Expectations: After a season of regression to the mean, ASK Landsmark will be struggling with an age issue that they struggle to resolve thanks to their transfer ban, and a five point penalty for their transfer rule infringements. ASK Landsmark are looking forward to a difficult season where they are likely to end in a similar region of the table.

Stadium: Axel-Nejdur-Stadion (capacity: 46’000)
Manager: Oleg Liparov (41)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 flat
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

by **Savojarna** » Wed Jul 13, 2022 12:12 pm

SFS 17 Season Preview (Part 2/2)

Libertas Bergheim (9.)

Origin and identity: After the formation of a national league, the teams of the three biggest Bergheimer unions had formed the club in 1927. Libertas is traditionally an upper-midfield team with 2 cups, and in SFS 9 finally managed to secure their first and so far only championship. They are the team of Bergheim's unions, made up of coal and silver miners as well as loggers. Bergheim's independent spirit and left-libertarian tradition shapes the club's identity and its large fan base.
Tactics: Libertas have turned away from their attempt at direct vertical play and shifted more towards exciting, fluid short passing centred around two offensive midfielders in Arkanin and Wen. In defence, the back four are stable, with little freedom to push forward; a defensive midfielder acts as a destroyer ahead of the defence. However, expect high pressing from the midfield four, and a fluid passing game on the ball with two aggressive wingers that link with a false nine that has splendid finishing capacities in Kaja Eller.
Key Players: Dino Racic finally proved his worth and is the core of this side’s defence; the Mytanijan might easily have moved up the table if it wasn’t for the transfer ban. Ahead of him, Libertas have dared to commit to Jaranski and came off better for it. The offensive midfield with Wen and Arkanin is the envy of the league; however, up front, things are somewhat less clear. The signing of Vithoulkas felt like an admission Kaja Eller is not enough to carry this team; the results, unfortunately for Eller, appear to have at least somewhat agreed with that idea. The biggest question, however, will be whether goalkeeper Mikhail Trischuk can find any form again, and if not, whether Libertas have a backup plan for the South Newlandian.
Expectations: It appears that Bergheim settled into the idea that its team’s time in the top is over and they return to the upper midfield. They were hurt badly by not spending much while the teams around them were, but this won’t matter this season. Prime targets will be to fight for the best spot within the group of sub-IFCF sides and finish 6th.

Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion (capacity: 27’900)
Manager: Lise Asbeck (63) / Mikaela Rangren (57)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

SK Cuprum Grennvik (8.)

Origin and identity: SK Cuprum are the sole team from the town of Grennvik, a relatively small mining town on the island of Ejana. The third-biggest town on the island, they are the number three in hockey and handball behind the behemoth that is Storevik and Kjefla, who have one strong team in each. In football, however, SK Cuprum are solidly the third-best Ejanan team. This side is usually physical, aggressive, and workmanlike at heart.
Tactics: Still led by their old coach Sigurdur Hafnason, this is a side that is defensively stable and counters fast, often looking for long balls to speed up the transition. However, compared to their last SFS A stint, they have gotten somewhat bolder, perhaps strenghtened by the appearance of a genuine playmaker; this results in shorter, but still very direct play. In defence, they are likely to be physical and no-nonsense, although typically maintaining fair play; wingbacks may overlap on counters but are also quick to fall back if needed.
Key Players: Cuprum’s most spectacular player in left winger Leda Fjodorov will do her best to put a mark on the team’s play with her relentless drive forward and a technical talent that could dazzle every defence in the B, and many in the A last season. On the right side, her counterpart will be former SVV right midfielder Jari Siilonen, introducing some more experience. Up front, Gregor Holmberg has been playing for Cuprum for a long time, but finally retired; this leaves the lead to Saevar Fyrbriggsson up front. The striker has proven his physical prowess and his cold-blooded finishing ability and was a key part of the surprising success of the team. The big issue of this side, however, is defence: With a 37 year old Rydman retiring, and Sobchuk ending his loan, the transfer ban has forced Cuprum to sign a pair of teenagers alongside aging captain Bjarne Mejveldt and Brynjar Hatun. Of the two, Thea Leifsen is the less interesting, stock-standard centre-back; however, Kenneth Röysveit is the interesting man. The son of a Nepharan mother and Savojar father combines brutal physicality with surprising ability to build up from the back and captained Högvald’s “Blue” squad.
Expectations: Under normal circumstances, a promotee from the B that reaches 8th place would be ripped apart and distributed across the entire league. Cuprum avoid that by virtue of no transfers for the season, and get a rare chance to actually confirm their surprising result - which will be a tough task.

Stadium: Cuprum Arena Football (capacity: 14’700)
Manager: Sigurdur Hafnason (48)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Thea Leifsen (CB, NFA Högvald Bla, 0), Kenneth Röysveit (CB, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | Outgoing: Artjom Sobchuk (CB, Lokomotive Jarnstad, loan ended), Matias Rydman (CB, retirement), Gregor Holmberg (ST, retirement)

FK Metall Jarnstad (7.)

Origin and identity: Miner clubs were some of the oldest clubs in Savojarna. FK Metall were a union of many different clubs after the Revolution, some of which existed since the 1870s. Formed from the miners around the city of Jarnstad, Metall enjoy a solid basis in the entire Jarnslän. They are often seen as a country team, and an honest, hard-working union team. One of the first to introduce a foreign coach, they showed no inhibition to take risks either.
Tactics: Relying on a tough to break defence, with two flat chains, FK Metall usually shut down the midfield. Once they got the ball, they usually try to get the ball to a fast striker or winger, their probably strongest individual positions. The central midfield is of crucial importance for both obtaining the ball and progressing play up the pitch once it is won.
Key Players: Mookie Danube of former Dynamo Sjoedrhavn fame had been signed last season to take this team a good step forward. The Xannerian has gone onto a good season, which saw him return to his national team; however, with the defence ahead of him being young and still growing, he has been handed a tough task. Ahead of them, the quartet of Amelaga, Johansson, Mortensson and Kanarin presumably will take turns in building this core once more, with more challenge and depth coming from the young midfielder Riina Lappanen, whose last season was patchy but showed promise. Up front, Damjan Emin has introduced more power on the flanks to make Metall’s attack more versatile and relieve some of the pressure put on Pedersen and Ekman.
Expectation: It’s still Metall, it’s still scrappy, it’s still defensive, it’s still not exciting. Still, slow but consistent improvement for Metall has started paying off, and with the teams beaten by the Jarnstaders last season unable to sign new players, they might profit. At the very least, it’s now going to be a whole lot harder to beat Metall; if nothing else, that should give them a good shot to ward off relegation again and secure a lower midfield spot.

Stadium: MetallArena Jarnstad (capacity: 44’000)
Manager: Ognjan Vlahović (ZRH, 69)
Expected formation: 4-4-1-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: Alexander Smichov (GK, retirement)

ESK Storevik (6.)

Origin and identity: Ejana was dominated by dockworker and neighbourhood squads. In 1940, ESK were founded to challenge the primacy of Admiral with a true Ejana team supported by the local leaders. A union of clubs representing city neighbourhoods of Storevik, it has developed into a sort of "national team" of Ejana, enjoying support all over the island. Its fans are pretty fervent, and often swing into left-wing political activism.
Tactics: Former CASK success guarantee and national coach Rune Zackrisson, who has finally returned to active coaching after turning towards scouting for a while, assembled a stable team built on a stable central midfield, fast vertical play, and a base of strong organisation. With Freyrsson’s chaotic fluidity gone, ESK turned to defensive organisation and strength, and building a flurry off this base with two fast wingers and offensive wingbacks, alongside two central strikers in the box.
Key Players: The top three of ESK’s offence remain the face and hope of this team. Eddie Guweddeko, Lipa Kuznetsov, and Tuomas Lajunen are all players that can decide a game. The traditional issue of ESK has always been the central midfield - and it suddenly turned into a beacon of stability with Isabelle Christian and Sölva Ylsdottir. However, ESK still lack an offensive element in midfield, laying the brunt of playmaking duty at the hands of the wingers, most notably spectacle-guarantee Reksi Halanen on the left side - a role that he has filled well last season. Igor Nepriajev surprised everyone by improving rapidly from his Traktor times to be an even replacement of Thorgeir Arnason - or perhaps even a little better. The biggest change, however, came in goal, with former Traktor St. Andrei keeper Finn Kopperberg moving over to replace captain Fridtjof Rolfrsson; it was the parries from Kopperberg that crucially lifted up ESK in the last season to bring them within a point of IFCF football.
Expectations: ESK managed to find a few gems and won’t have issues holding onto them for this time, and that might be crucial in repeating their near-IFCF finishing. It’s going to be a tricky one, but with many key rivals strung back with a -5 point penalty, the chances are intact. However, challenging the top 5 would be a tough task, and rely on one of them to underperform.

Stadion: Ejansk Stadion (capacity: 41’000)
Manager: Rune Zackrisson (65)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Partisan Sjoedrhavn (5.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1936 as a union of four Sjoedrhavn teams and immediately successful, but losing out after the 50s. Short resurgence with 2 titles and a cup in the 90s, and establishing themselves as the weakest Big Four team in the SFS era. Formed as a representative vehicle by Communist elites, Partisan's fans are stereotyped to be bureaucrats from the KPS, although there are also plenty of fans who are drawn to their often spectacular play. They are popular nationally, but not in their town.
Tactics: Relying on two hard-to-break defensive lines, Partisan use a stable core to enable a splendid offence that usually relies on some trickery from the forwards and stunning plays. Uses an aggressive press of their offensive players, although backed up by a solid defensive block that is more withdrawn. Their outlook is overall very balanced, and the combination of a pouncing striker and a more hanging player that aims to link to the midfield.
Key Players: Last season, Mrdja and Alvesen have been touted as the key players of this side’s offence - and it was true: With the Savojar having issues to find his form as he was plagued by muscular issues, and the Nepharan just outright out of shape, Partisan struggled hard. Add in Alyssa Broad’s uncharacteristic errors in some games and Sven Vikarby’s long-time injury mid-season, and things were outright problematic - showing that Partisan’s power rests on few shoulders. However, Aleksandra Virulainen remains the best goalkeeper of the SFS, and will be the rock for this side; and with Sveinn Arnason and Antonia Nygaard showing that they are viable alternatives to mainstays like Lapanen and Aarsoy, Partisan are not in real trouble - yet.
Expectations: Normally, a fifth place as a defending champion would probably get you fired. However, Patrik Alexandersson has been saved by his wildly successful CV at Partisan - and the transfer ban, many speculated, as a new coach would not be able to remodel the team to their wishes. So, with those auspices, Partisan are looking for redemption, and they are hard to predict. If the issue was indeed just form and luck, they are among the favourites for the top; if there is a deeper issue, expect drama and disappointment.

Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger (capacity: 42’300)
Manager: Patrik Alexandersson (49)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Admiral Storevik (4.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as a Navy team, immediately building a heated rivalry with CASK. Admiral were initially stronger but fell behind in the 1930s, struggling for titles since. Historically, the army club are their biggest rivals, followed by Torpedo and ESK. Although Admiral are not very popular in Storevik, quite a few people in Ejana support them as the main source of potential titles for the island.
Tactics: Admiral are a pretty balanced side, with a slight offensive bias thanks to a highly talented frontline and a tradition of strong single strikers. They rely on a calm, collected buildup from a strong defensive line and a double pivot that provides a base for the offensive four to stray forward and work creative magic. Their prime asset is often on the wings, which are tasked with creative play and opening spaces up front.
Key Players: Tryphon Archer may not quite have followed up on his top scorer debut in the SFS A, but he’s still the centrepiece of this side. Ola-Mikko Virttu, however, could not quite draw the strings as it was expected of him - yet. The young Finn showed flashes of brilliance, but was also occasionally invisible, leading to the lack of consistency that held Admiral back. Anna Witchstone and Arianna Berger, alongside Northlight Birkir Evaldsson, were supposed to provide that consistency, but struggled to find their pace as neither really could lay claim to a starting spot. A solid central defence with Dmitriev and Oakes in control, and Zeta Rekan goalkeeper Branislaw Mucic behind them, are supposed to keep a clean sheet. Admiral are a side that has few standout players, but also few weaknesses.
Expectations: The perennial second (and occasional champion) Admiral slipped from grace once opposition started to figure out Tryphon Archer, no longer allowing the Nepharan striker the space he had in his first season. Still, they are a threat, as they are a team full of quality. If they manage to figure out how to make the Witchstone-Birkir-Berger situation work out, or how to get some consistency out of Virttu, they might shoot straight up to the top again; otherwise, the Challenger’s Cup might be all that’s awaiting them.

Stadium: Marinestadion (capacity: 48’000)
Manager: Hwang Joon-Ho (51/QUE)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Lokomotive Jarnstad (3.)

Origin and identity: Formed in 1929, Lok is younger than Metall Jarnstad, and the two entered a heated rivalry immediately. Lok is the club of the railway workers in the Jarnslän and see themselves as the club of the city of Jarnstad. Because of the state's support for the railways, they are a strong team, and were the first union team to win the SFS, and are often derided by Metall fans as a state team in denial.
Tactics: Madison Bilboa, the first Chromatik on the sidelines of the SFS, turned Lok a bit more offensive, and it worked a charm. They still play with a low midfield of two holding players, but the way Adrian Klaebo is employed as a distributing, creative player is almost a blueprint of the Savojar national team. Up front, Bogdan Rawic is the clear focus of the side, but all four offensive players can score and look to press hard, rotate fast, and be an unpredictable dangerous side to send needles into the flesh of their opponents.
Key Players: Adrian Klaebo is the player around whom this side is built, a smart and skilled playmaker from the back. With Anna Guweddeko, sister of ESK striker Eddie Guweddeko, he has a solid support next to him to carry balls he cannot send long. Up front, Finn Östberg on the left side has added versatility and stability, although Bogdan Rawic’s threat potential in the centre remains the primary way in which Lok score. Chances are this might change this season, as Oleg Trikhichev is likely to take the starting position on the right side away from the older, more reserved Grivoshenko. At the back, Coyner and Palsdottir play the role of defensive bulwark ahead of Gerik Knasmuller, and now get supported by Thorgeir Arnason, signed on a two million deal from ESK. Florian Franz is the element that keeps the whole thing together, filling the role of a utility playmaker perfectly and appearing wherever he is needed.
Expectations: With few changes to their roster, Lok are slated to land in the IFCF spots again, continuing their impressive run. However, against an improving CASK and a consistently strong top two, anything approaching the Champions League would be a surprise for the Jarnstaders. The goal is probably somewhere between third and fifth, and a good IFCF campaign.

Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Jarnsvägen (capacity: 53’800)
Manager: Madison Bilboa (67, CMT)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

CASK Thorsborg (2.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as an Army team, with heated rivalries with the other branches (mainly Admiral). Savojarna's army club profited for decades from conscription laws. This has changed with the formation of the SFS, but CASK's self-image of the confident record champion has not. In recent years, they have transformed themselves into a team relying heavily on good transfers. Regardless of their approach, CASK are beloved within the army, respectfully hated in other state institutions, and loathed by all union team fans.
Tactics: CASK's strength lies in switching quickly. The defensive midfield acts as an anchor, trying to quickly move the ball up to the front. The defence largely stays back. Since the arrival of McDonald, they play a two-top with a diamond in the centre, and often shift back to a flat midfield four when ahead to preserve a lead. The team places an emphasis on playing over the wings, and having a pair of dangerous finishers up front.
Key Players: Jekaterina Smolov is the face of current CASK, but has received more competition with Teemu Jeraväinen being a competent poacher up front. At the same time, this allowed Smolov to focus more on lurking and opening space, and she shines in that spot. On the wing, Kimi Hartikainen drives play and has been a persistent threat alongside Janna Sauthier on the right, who have been in top form for much of last year. Vikborg and Anttakari have finally grown into a defensive duo that matches expectations, and are going to have to be a rock for the young offence of this new, remodelled CASK; with left back Ansgar Klaey, they have a player whose versatility and calm, unassuming play secured him a Northlights spot recently. Behind the defence, Olga Valujev has proven her worth in the difficult CASK goalkeeper position despite her young age and will hopefully continue to develop. The most interesting player was the expensive Rasmus Medberg Hansen: A bullish, athletic, and nearly 2 metre tall teenage striker, CASK signed him away from Libertas’s academy, and clearly found a diamond in the rough, providing an important push towards their surprising second place.
Expectations: CASK have taken a bunch of young players, and they have managed to get a CL qualification before anyone truly expected them to be ready for that. Now, with that success in their bag, they will look to improve further, and many believe this team can actually threaten the championship. Realistically, second to fourth might be more likely, but they are a name on the list for the top spot.

Stadium: Stadion General Erik Harden (capacity: 62’000)
Manager: Johnny McDonald (55/SCT)
Expected formation: 4-1-3-2
Transfers incoming: Rasmus Medberg Hansen (ST, Framtid Bergheim, 3.4), Alexander Ilikin (DM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | outgoing: Heikki Aho (DM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1), Karolina Vaitanen (ST, Landsmarks Industrie, 0.75)

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (SFS 16 Champions)

Origin and identity: Founded 1923 to represent the police in the first national league, and gained success after a slow start. Notable for choking the cup, having only won three of eight cup finals. One of two police clubs, they share a rivalry with now relegated Dynamo Novaya Russica. They are emphasising skill and strength in their players, but are said to have mostly bandwagon fans - who haven’t had too much to celebrate recently, as the team has been falling down the ranks recently and ended up known as “the Best of the Rest”, often falling short of the IFCF right behind the Big Five, with two big exceptions two years ago.
Tactics: One of the more offensive teams, they employ heavy pressing with their wingers and forwards. The central midfield plays box to box, using vertical passes. Traditionally they emphasised getting wingers and offensive midfielders close to the goal as well, and finding much success with a hanging striker that links the wings to a pouncer up front. Rely a lot on their second striker and the wingers to create, with no traditional playmaker in the team.
Key Players: Tanith Arrowsmith in goal has given her side a massive push the year she was signed, and led them to a championship in her second season. Chromatik midfielder Alissar Phoen and former Partisan prospect turned Dynamo midfielder Jelena Tretjakov are the dynamic duo that makes this side tick: Tretjakov supported Phoen in creating and shuttling, with the Chromatik leaning more into defence. On offence, Wallace Pickton managed to pick up the consistency, showing he can work in this Dynamo side; Quebecois hanging striker Mohamed Khedira will attempt to return to Golden Boot form alongside Giovanna Vitale, the never-tiring danger on the right flank. On top, with Vladimir Nichajev putting up numbers too last season, pressure on Khedira has lessened and more players can score the goals for Dynamo.
Expectations: While people were enthusiastic on Dynamo, they were not really expecting a championship - but they got it, the first in 19 years, and now they are out on the difficult task of repeating that feat. On one hand, the team is extremely strong and unchanged to last season, meaning well-oiled processes and high quality; on the other hand, players may feel a little satisfied. Top 5 should be a given.

Stadium: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 35’000)
Manager: Seneca Matthews (59/NPH)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 hanging
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

by **Savojarna** » Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:40 pm

SFS A Season 17 - Part 1/4

Matchday 1
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–2 CASK Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Rotor Värstjö 0–2 Elektron Harkka
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–5 Energie Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–2 ASK Landsmark
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Landsmarks Industrie 2–2 Admiral Storevik

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn face CASK Thorsborg for the traditional champion vs. runner-up opening game, and it is a thrilling start to what looks to become a thrilling season. Dynamo are storming out of the gates with Mohamed Khedira almost scoring the first goal only three minutes in, but the Quebecois misses high. Ten minutes later, Vitale’s cross is taken on by Nichajev, but the striker’s goal is rightfully disallowed for off-side. The game then calms a bit down, until the 25th minute when Hartikainen blasts past Rokowic and finds Smolov for the 1-0 for the guests; although Tretjakov’s midrange shot equalises before the break. It’s the youngest CASK player who gets the biggest celebration: In a deadlocked second half with multiple great chances and splendid parries on both sides, joker Rasmus Medberg Hansen scores with seven minutes to go as Arnar Jons feeds him a through ball, the physical striker blocks Pala’s charge and slots the ball coldly into the bottom left corner. Elsewhere, Energie Thorsborg under their new coach Sven Byggsvild powerfully announce their return to the A as they trounce Savojars Vinge. A clumsy challenge by Jokiainen at the half-time standing of 0-1 sets the Virkajans back to ten men, and Energie take full advantage. Borgen nets her second for the 0-2, and an hour in, Ole Ingvildsen catches out a terrible mistake by Tristan in the SVV goal for the 0-3. Tepparainen and joker Valtteri Lehto finish the job. Other promotees Elektron Harkka also start with a win over Rotor Värstjö, who can’t find space against Elektron’s pressing wingbacks Makarainen and Helmsberg. But the key players are winger Hektor Strandt, who scores a goal and gets the penalty Laurismäki uses for the 0-2, as well as goalkeeper Stanislav Misenov, who defends heroically against Karamasov twice in the second half.

Matchday 2
AFK Savojagrad 2–2 Landsmarks Industrie
ASK Landsmark 2–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Energie Thorsborg 2–5 ESK Storevik
Elektron Harkka 3–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 Rotor Värstjö
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
CASK Thorsborg 5–2 Admiral Storevik

The roof is already on fire in Virkaja. Savojars Vinge have opened with a 0-5 against Energie and now visit the other promotees up north in Harkka. In admittedly terrible conditions (heavy wind and cold), Elektron play themselves into a frenzy on their home ground. In front of a fully sold out crowd, Tsygankov gets a first half goal and Zenqvist adds one with a spectacular free kick right before the break. Savojars Vinge now have to open up, but Saparinen and Misenov play a great game as the wingbacks hunker down and shut down the Air Force side; with ten minutes left, a counter opens up and 20 year old Joona Viruola scores his first SFS A goal to set the score to 3-0. At the same time, over in Novaya Russica, Dynamo NR are putting up a big, big fight against a sluggish Partisan. Hugo Yoon denies Mrdja a shot from point blank range, and Najmina gets Lapanen to a frustrated revenge foul that nets the striker a very dark yellow card; however, offensively, they just can’t produce any danger. Accordingly, it’s a ticking time bomb for DNR; 86 minutes in, it finally goes off as Partisan’s 16th shot of the game results in a goal: Nygaard’s cross is poorly defended by Hjörvar Onisson, and Morten Poulsen scores from the edge of the box. Finally, on Sunday night, CASK receive Admiral in their home. The Army-Navy-Derby is not the spectacle we’ve expected: Smolov, in the form of her life, makes short work of Admiral’s central defence and nets a hattrick en route to CASK’s 4-1 lead an hour into the game. Subbed out under thundering applause, she makes way for a defensive option in Ilikin; but the scoring won’t stop there as Láidná Olasson scores on a counter to set the score to a humiliating 5-2 for the hosts.

Matchday 3
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Rotor Värstjö 0–3 Libertas Bergheim
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 2–0 Elektron Harkka
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Energie Thorsborg
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 ASK Landsmark
Admiral Storevik 1–2 AFK Savojagrad

Facing off against the champions Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, SK Cuprum surprise the nation with a home victory, suggesting their last season eighth place was more than a surprise. The young Kenneth Röysveit announces his presence on the adult stage by shutting down Nichajev with a brutal, physical performance, and on the other end, Jari Siilonen manages to first score the 1-0 off a long cross right before the break and then puts the ball through to Lundvik for the 2-0. Even though they can’t fully hold off a furiously attacking Dynamo, the defending champions don’t manage to put more than one past Pavarenko. Another top team of last season, Lok Jarnstad, are facing Savojars Vinge and put on a clinic - except in finishing. SVV keeper Tristan Vilhjalmursson is playing a very good game, but also profits from Rawic, Trikhichev, and Franz all shooting blanks multiple times, missing from good occasions. Then, with only four minutes to go, Voynov finds a gap, passes the ball down to Packard-Grey and SVV take the lead - except that video review overturns it on basis of a correct offside call. On Sunday night, Admiral Storevik host AFK Savojagrad, and the Russian side show that their 16th place was an accident last season. Against a convincing Admiral, AFK hold up well, and find a surprise cross through to the far post where Levin pushes the ball over the line; and with 17 minutes to go, a handball by Kuzkin gives the visitors a penalty. Robin Norderberg scores the third goal of the game, putting AFK ahead 2-1 and securing a win for the Savojagraders.

Matchday 4
CASK Thorsborg 2–1 AFK Savojagrad
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Admiral Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Energie Thorsborg 1–4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Elektron Harkka 0–4 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–3 Rotor Värstjö
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 ESK Storevik

Energie Thorsborg started out promising with a thrilling 5-0 victory, but the promotees have arrived in reality now, and are struggling against strong opposition. The Thorsborgers are hosting FK Torpedo, who themselves are yet to win a game; however, nothing goes quite right for them. Fjällvik snipes a ball out in the midfield and finds Viera with a long ball the Ko-orenite scores off of; just minutes later, Novikov dazzles Elizabeta Grokov and scores off a solo. Although Tepparainen manages to score a temporary catchup goal, Fjällvik and Novikov again settle the matter with a very clear win for Torpedo. Less clear, but even goal-heavier is Dynamo’s home victory over Rotor Värstjö. Going into half time on a 2-2 draw, Dynamo run away with it in twenty minutes after the break as Khedira, Vitale, and Khedira again utilise a bad phase in the Rotor defence. With the score now 5-2, the Värstjö side lets up a little, although Gyldenstjerne scores a spectacular 5-3 with a direct free kick. Finally, ESK Storevik, surprisingly successful this season, travel to Jarnstad to take on Lokomotive. And take on they do them: ESK are running the midfield, although they struggle to get past Arnason and Palsdottir in defence. Still, they shut down Klaebo entirely; and with 13 minutes to go, Christian conquers a ball to send up top to Eirikur Sigurds. The joker manages to shoulder off Arnason and slot the ball low to the left for the single goal of the game.

Matchday 5
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–3 CASK Thorsborg
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 4–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 3–0 Elektron Harkka
Landsmarks Industrie 1–1 Energie Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 2–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 ASK Landsmark
ESK Storevik 1–2 Libertas Bergheim

Dynamo’s on and off season continues in confusing fashion. The defending champions have phases of brilliance as well as phases where everything falls apart, and the last thirty minutes of the first half against SVV are clearly the latter. Voynov nabs the first goal off a solo effort, but it appears that the goal conceded completely tilts the team: Phoen attempts a ridiculously risky pass that never had a chance of succeeding, and Aho intercepts it to set up Markus Packard-Grey for the 2-0; just minutes later, MPG is left entirely alone on the right side to set up Bjergsen. Even if Dynamo manage to catch themselves again, they don’t get a goal; the game ending 4-0 for the Virkajans. In a high-quality but extremely gruelling and tactical matchup, Partisan Sjoedrhavn draw scorelessly with Lokomotive Jarnstad, although Rawic nearly gets a lucky punch by the end but can’t quite hit the ball as intended, allowing Virulainen to save his shot. The Zeta Rekan was still the most active player around, justifiably earning praise from the audience. Finally, ESK Storevik are facing Libertas Bergheim in a battle of challengers to the Top 5. Both of them have started out well; now, they are clashing in a high-octane battle that is going back and forth. Lipa Kuznetsov sets up first strike, with Lajunen nodding in a cross decidedly. However, only ten minutes later, a spectacular volley by Wen Xiaohui scores the equaliser. Eddie Guweddeko nearly gets ESK ahead before the break again, but the ball bounces off the crossbar; ten minutes after the break, Andrea Vithoulkas prolongs a ball from the midfield by Arkanin to deflect it past Rolfrsson for the 2-1.

Matchday 6
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Energie Thorsborg 0–5 Admiral Storevik
Elektron Harkka 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Libertas Bergheim 0–4 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 ESK Storevik
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 4–1 Rotor Värstjö
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 ASK Landsmark

Libertas Bergheim have spent the last week in second place following their victory over ESK; however, they are now asked to defend it against Partisan Sjoedrhavn. With a rough task at their hands, Libertas are trying to control the game, but it goes awry early on as a bad touch results in Boissonault snatching up the ball and launching a counter. Poulsen slips through the ranks and sets up Alvesen, scoring the 0-1; using the rush, Mrdja provokes a corner shortly after and crosses in for Broad to head it in. With a final score of 0-4, the game ends with a clear verdict. Not much less clean is Rotor Värstjö’s fifth defeat of the season. The side is defeated 4-1 by Cuprum, who continue their roaring rampage of surprise thanks to Saevar Fyrbriggsson’s two goals. Saevar is setting himself up clearly for a big international transfer after the end of the moratorium, and puts up significant arguments for doing so. But all of this is just run-up for the big Army Derby match on Sunday night. ASK are ready to put in a challenge and make it a dirty, scrappy, hard-fought game between the leaders CASK and their own side. Seven yellow cards and no goals in the first half spell out what this game looks like, but it mellows out a little bit in the second half. Gren almost manages to set up Afanasenko for a one on one, but Valujev clears the ball proactively; on the other end, Smolov misses by a few centimetres. However, CASK prevail as Hartikainen crosses in and Carlsen doesn’t fully clear the ball; Arnar Jonsson smashes it into the top corner from eighteen metres for a derby victory for CASK.

Matchday 7
Rotor Värstjö 1–4 CASK Thorsborg
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ESK Storevik 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–2 Libertas Bergheim
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 0–4 Elektron Harkka
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 Energie Thorsborg
ASK Landsmark 2–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

Torpedo Pawlograd meet Libertas Bergheim in a pretty spectacular game, as can be expected from two offensive sides. Libertas’ typical quick passing game is clashing with the fast vertical play from Torpedo, and initially it looks like the former is winning out as Bathanay scores with a header and Arkanin just about misses a 2-0 lead at the half hour mark. However, as the game goes on, Torpedo’s style is growing more potent; still, Libertas gain another lead. With the game going on late and the score 2-1 for the Bergheim side, Ejnar Balle’s massive running pensum catches up with him and he has to let the fresh joker Vilborg run through for a centering that Serebrjakov converts for the 2-2. Four goals also fall in Storevik, but it’s all for the same side - and not the one you’d expect. Admiral look a bit tired and flat but control the game - for 35 minutes, until Istrov gains control of the ball and sends Helmsberg on a run; and after a nice diagonal ball, Tsygankov scores the 0-1. Now, Admiral go from tired to downright pathetic, making mistakes by the boatload and seeming uncoordinated; it results in Zenqvist ripping holes left and right into the Storevik side. Laurismäki and Strandt use the resulting space to demolish a demotivated, uncharacteristically weak Admiral side 4-0. Finally, it’s derby time in Sjoedrhavn, pitting a second-placed Partisan against an underwhelming but resurging Dynamo. It’s a slow game, with both sides getting more out of scraps than out of good play, but in the end, Dynamo prevail as Khedira finds a loose ball in the box, takes it past Alyssa Broad, and scores the lone goal of the match,

Matchday 8
CASK Thorsborg 2–4 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Energie Thorsborg 4–0 ASK Landsmark
Elektron Harkka 3–1 AFK Savojagrad
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 ESK Storevik
Rotor Värstjö 0–6 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Admiral Storevik

CASK, having gone perfect for seven games, finally face their downfall at the Harden. CASK Thorsborg are facing off against Dynamo Novaya Russica, centered on an incredibly top form Alexander Sobchuk. The left midfielder is running the game from the side, both sending in precise crosses (used by Zhilin and Sjapovalov for two goals) and back to the midfield; crowning a top performance with the deciding 3-2. CASK themselves push back, scoring two themselves; Sauthier and Medberg Hansen’s two equalisers are not enough as DNR win the second half cleanly and bring home a surprise victory. More one-sided is Savojars Vinge’s win over Rotor - it’s a Krister Voynov show, aided by right back Svensson having a terrible game. Together with the lack of Jesper Gyldenstjerne following a muscular injury and teenager Thomas Jacobsen starting, this is not enough to stop a fiery SVV: Voynov scores two and assists one, Packard-Grey nabs a brace too (one per penalty), and Patrik Paasio scores a screamer of a goal, sending a ball to the top left from 23 metres. Finally, Lokomotive Jarnstad manage to grind down Admiral Storevik in the week’s marquee matchup. Despite the Storevikers having more pressure, Lok keep them from getting any good chances; up front, Bogdan Rawic is deadly enough to only need one chance to score. The Zeta Rekan does his part 66 minutes into the match, converting on a flat cross from Östberg, and sending the ball past a chanceless Branislaw Mucic in Admiral’s goal.

Matchday 9
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–4 CASK Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 1–1 Rotor Värstjö
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Landsmarks Industrie 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
ASK Landsmark 2–1 Elektron Harkka
Dynamo Novaya Russica 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 3–0 Libertas Bergheim

ESK Storevik and Rotor Värstjö are frequently not in the spotlight, but today they decide to change that. Rotor, struggling hard with injury, poor form, and bad luck and in last place, face off last year’s sixth placed surprise team ESK, battling it out in the mid table. Today could be the day where Rotor come back as Gyldenstjerne is returning from his muscle injuries, and Rotor’s engine does make them turn, resulting in a goal after half an hour as he sends Kristina Halvert down the right side, and a long, long cross is pushed over the line by Lea Mörk. But it turns out it was too early; 55 minutes in, Gyldenstjerne has to be subbed off again, and ESK take over the game allowing Kuznetsov to equalise. The lone team still without a single win is Landsmarks Industrie, and against the champions of all teams, they come close to changing that. Vaitanen sets them ahead off a long ball from Mészáros, and they continue to press unrelentingly. However, in the second half, we learn that Dynamo’s bench is just so much deeper, and in the last ten minutes, Pickton first equalises and then Polve sends a cross in for veteran Alexander Teranen to nod in. On Sunday night, Admiral Storevik face off against Libertas Bergheim, and they are finally overcoming their issues. Arianna Berger’s man of the match performance shuts down the passing game of Libertas, and up front, Tryphon Archer ends a series of quiet games with a brace to set the Admiral side ahead 2-0 by the hour mark. Shortly after Palina Leopold finishes off the game, securing victory with a shot to the top near corner after cutting in past Balle in an amazing fashion.

Standings

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg               9    8   0   1    25   10  +15    24
 2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn          9    6   1   2    15    5  +10    19
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn            9    6   0   3    13   12   +1    18
 4 SK Cuprum Grennvik           9    5   1   3    12   10   +2    16
 5 Elektron Harkka              9    5   0   4    14   12   +2    15
 6 Libertas Bergheim            9    4   3   2    11   12   −1    15
 7 Lokomotive Jarnstad          9    3   3   3     6    4   +2    12
 8 ESK Storevik                 9    3   2   4    10    8   +2    11
 9 Admiral Storevik             9    3   2   4    16   16    0    11
10 AFK Savojagrad               9    2   5   2    10   11   −1    11
11 Savojars Vinge Virkaja       9    3   1   5    12   15   −3    10
12 FK Metall Jarnstad           9    3   1   5     4    7   −3    10
13 Dynamo Novaya Russica        9    3   5   1    13    9   +4    9*
14 ASK Landsmark                9    4   1   4     9   11   −2    8*
15 Energie Thorsborg            9    2   2   5    15   20   −5     8
16 Landsmarks Industrie         9    0   5   4     7   13   −6     5
17 FK Torpedo Pawlograd         9    2   3   4    13   11   +2     4*
18 Rotor Värstjö                9    1   1   7     7   26  −19     4

*: Teams have been deducted five points for transfer regulation violations.

by **Savojarna** » Tue Aug 30, 2022 3:50 am

SFS A Season 17 - Part 2/4

Matchday 10
Elektron Harkka 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–1 ASK Landsmark
Libertas Bergheim 2–3 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Admiral Storevik
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–0 Landsmarks Industrie
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Rotor Värstjö 3–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 ESK Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 Energie Thorsborg

Libertas against AFK is the duel of two clubs who like to position themselves as young, exciting to watch, and ambitious. Today, they clearly are here to prove their ambition against each other, and the viewers are the big benefactors. Ilari Milvonen shows why he drew the attention of all of Savojarna once and plays a magnificent 40 metre diagonal pass that Norderberg converts from close range; ten minutes later, Arkanin and Wen play themselves through the midfield with three direct passes before the Savojar plays a soft pass to the left, where Tikariot’s Liam Trout launches a high speed run into the box and beats Trischuk. The game slows down a bit but remains tight, with both sides scoring again shortly after the break. With twenty minutes to go, Vithoulkas has the 3-2 on her foot but sends the ball wide; six minutes later, Natalja Levin slides into a flat cross by Milvonen and knocks the ball over the line for the winning goal. Less action but more surprise occurs as Rotor Värstjö visit Partisan Sjoedrhavn: Driven by a magistral Jesper Gyldenstjerne, and supported by Lea Mörk’s best match of the season so far, the purple and white beats the red and gold from the capital in a surprising upset. Over in Thorsborg, the City Derby may be of secondary importance for CASK, but not for Energie; their fans waited for over a year for this moment. In a sold out Stadion General Harden, the two teams clash with an electric performance of Energie’s fans - literally, as phone lights and LED-packed flags are used for a spectacular choreography - but it takes only twelve minutes to silence them. An uncharacteristic mistake by Mah Huang sees Arnar Jons getting the ball, breaking past a surprised Sandbeck, sending Smolov deep, and the striker scores the only goal of the game.

Matchday 11
ESK Storevik 1–4 CASK Thorsborg
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 4–4 Rotor Värstjö
Landsmarks Industrie 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Admiral Storevik 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 4–4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Energie Thorsborg 1–2 Elektron Harkka
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja

Goals galore this week as FK Torpedo and Rotor Värstjö set the scene early on. Both teams are struggling, and with defensive anchor Ludvig Stepanek being suspended on a yellow card suspension and Dina Chapman injured, things won’t be easier for Torpedo. With Lea Mörk facing an out of form Heli Latvala, things are difficult for Torpedo as the left winger scores one and sets up another within 20 minutes. At half time, it’s 2-1 as Novikov gets a goal, but then, within ten minutes after the restart, Viera plays a brilliant pass back to Kenna-Tang to set up a 2-2 from range and Ilja Serebrjakov scores the 3-2 for Pawlograd. It looks like an easy victory after they get a fourth goal, but with fifteen minutes to go, Gyldenstjerne converts an unlucky penalty for a 4-3 and with new confidence, Skargaard scores the equaliser in a scramble at the box. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn also drop points to AFK Savojagrad in yet another 4-4, this one characterised by slapstick and chaos - the 1-0 falls as Vidkun Nymark slips off in the worst moment, the 1-2 for Dynamo is an own goal by Jokelainen. Then, Perkkanen deflects a cross so unluckily that it bounces onto Larsson’s arm in the box, and Khedira slots home the penalty. But AFK reverse things as a clumsy clear by Varanen results in a perfect assist to Sabine Bar, and in the final moments of the game, Tanith Arrowsmith makes a rare mistake as the Dynamo keeper lets a long shot by Milvonen slip through her hands. On Sunday night, the goal frenzy may be gone, but we get treated to a spectacle between Partisan and Savojars Vinge. It all opens up with a spectacular attack as Patrik Paasio hands a ball over to Packard-Grey, and the Taeshani striker dribbles past Bjarnfinnr, tunnels Broad with his pass to the centre, and Harald Bjergsen taps it in. But this is Partisan we’re talking about, and they have plenty of offensive firepower themselves: Traudl Mrdja puts down a splendid solo, and in the second half it’s a long ball by Poulsen that sets up the Nepharan winger to cross in, and Lars Alvesen rises above his competition to violently head in the ball.

Matchday 12
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 Elektron Harkka
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–2 Energie Thorsborg
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 ASK Landsmark
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
Rotor Värstjö 3–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 1–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Admiral Storevik

Following up on a matchday with tons of goals, this week sees a number of scoreless or single-goal games. The tone is set with a massive surprise: Elektron Harkka, the promoted side from Sumanen, travel over to Thorsborg to visit leaders CASK, who only lost one game so far. The Thorsborgers run into a tightly organised Elektron defence and struggle with bad luck as Smolov and Hartikainen both hit the woodwork, and Hartikainen isn’t given a penalty the fans think he deserved. But 78 minutes in, Elektron still hold up, and they use a counter chance to send Hektor Strandt deep; the winger cuts inside and beats Valujev through her legs for the surprising 0-1. A day later, Rotor Värstjö and Landsmarks Industrie meet in the duel of 17th vs 18th. Industrie are still winless and desperate, but they are not given a break: At half time, it is already 2-0 for Rotor as Grysai and Halvert score; only four minutes into the second half, Hangren adds the third goal after a corner. Industrie look hapless and without ideas, and go down without much of a fight. The same cannot be said of the Ejanan duel going down on Sunday night: SK Cuprum receive Admiral Storevik for a brutal matchup characterised by scrappy play, fast vertical balls, and a violent clash in the Cuprum box between Röysveit and Archer twenty minutes in. The two collide with their heads, and both have to be taken off the pitch, although Archer comes back briefly with a wrapped up head, only to be replaced seven minutes later. It is Röysveit’s replacement Thea Leifsen that becomes the matchwinner: First, she is crucially involved in the lone goal, knocking on a corner by Fjodorov for Eyjolfur to deflect it into the goal. Then, nine minutes later, after Arnar Haralds blocks a shot by Leopold, Cuprum goalie Pavarenko is down and chanceless against Kolbeinnsson, but a last second sliding block by Leifsen prevents the equaliser.

Matchday 13
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–2 ESK Storevik
Landsmarks Industrie 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 1–0 Rotor Värstjö
Energie Thorsborg 1–6 Libertas Bergheim
AFK Savojagrad 0–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ASK Landsmark 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 CASK Thorsborg

Libertas Bergheim are still not a consistent team, but this season, nobody (other than CASK) is, and the Bergheimers are truly spectacular when things do work out. And against an offensive Energie Thorsborg where they find the space to play their spectacular, fast, passing play, things do work out for Libertas. Andrea Vithoulkas scores twice in the first half; Wen Xiaohui nets three assists in a magnificent act of playmaking. Kaja Eller, relegated to joker, scores the most beautiful goal of the night as Arkanin chips the ball into the back of the defence for Trout to cross it in flatly, Eller to chip it over both herself and Zibo Olberg, and score volley after turning around the defender. The other promotees, Elektron Harkka, are tasked with proving themselves against Lok Jarnstad. However, despite pressuring the opposition through a very high midfield line, they fail to break down the solid Lok defence and even lose their star Tsygankov with a muscular injury early in the second half. Thus weakened, Elektron start to settle into the scoreless draw, but that backfires as Bogdan Rawic shows why he is a superstar: Solo dribbling past two defenders, he leaves Pavarenko chanceless with a dry shot to the bottom right, winning the game for his side. Finally, Partisan are receiving CASK for the top level duel. Second against first in front of a sold out Stadion Perl Kruger is a massive affair, and CASK shock everyone by scoring only six minutes in as Arnar Jons sends Sauthier deep, and Teemu Jeraväinen converts the cross after being left completely alone at the second post. But there’s still time to strike back, and Partisan do just that after 35 minutes as Poulsen runs up into a gap, Lapanen passes him the ball, and Partisan’s captain equalises from twelve metres. The game dies down into a defensive chess match in the second half - until twenty minutes before the end, when Antonia Nygaard sends Alvesen deep, and the Northlights striker scores… but is waved off for off-side, to the anger of the fans, but justifiably so as the video shows. With no further goals, they draw in an entertaining match.

Matchday 14
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Libertas Bergheim 2–0 Elektron Harkka
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–1 Energie Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Admiral Storevik
ESK Storevik 2–1 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad

Partisan Sjoedrhavn move on after their narrow draw against CASK, facing off at home against a stumbling but still dangerous Torpedo. The Pawlograd side is currently fighting against relegation, but comes out with a high spirit and an early goal by Ruslan Novikov. But once Partisan find their stride, they control the game with over 67% possession and a slow, crushing style. It takes an hour until Poulsen’s strong shot from eighteen metres equalises, but then, Sveinn Arnason scores the 2-1 after a cross by Nygaard and a solo by Mrdja ends all discussions with the 3-1. Savojars Vinge are also playing below their expectations, currently sitting in thirteenth; however, they are showing some qualities against Admiral Storevik. The navy side can’t quite deal with the high pressing of SVV, and former Virkaja playmaker Ola-Mikko Virttu is taken out of the game by his ex-teammate Mattason. Unfortunately for SVV, Admiral keeper Branislaw Mucic is also in a top shape, stopping nine shots for a scoreless draw, including a spectacular diving save against a header by Bjergsen from seven metres and a narrow deflection on a long-range shot by Paasio. On Sunday night, CASK Thorsborg meet Lok Jarnstad in what would have been a title-deciding game a few years ago, but is now the attempt of a seventh-placed Lok to challenge the clear leaders in CASK. Unfortunately for Lok, their opponents are measured enough to never give Jarnstad the countering opportunities their game depends on, and after fifty-seven minutes, Klaebo slips off in a duel and has to watch as Arnar Jonsson breaks through, drops the ball wide to Sauthier, and the Nepharan finds Medberg Hansen in the centre for the only goal of the game. With that result, CASK secure their lead while Lok fall off further to eighth.

Matchday 15
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 3–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ASK Landsmark 2–2 Rotor Värstjö
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Energie Thorsborg 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Elektron Harkka 2–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
Admiral Storevik 2–2 ESK Storevik

Savojars Vinge are looking for their first victory after six consecutive winless matchdays. Away against AFK Savojagrad, it looks good for the air force side as Voynov and MPG are scoring two early goals, but it takes only seven minutes until Levin finds Norderberg and Miatanen fouls the striker for a penalty. Sabine Bar lines up and scores the goal AFK need to stay in the game, but they can’t score any more as Tristan Vilhjalmursson is playing a great game, directing Mortensen and Miatanen as well as stopping whatever comes onto his goal. However, in the second half, things turn as AFK bring on Chris Hjort instead of the luckless Kovalenko. Falling off into midfield, the striker rips holes into the defence, and Bar uses one of them for the equaliser an hour into the game. Only shortly after, Tristan makes his one mistake in the game, underestimating a cross by Townsend and flying past the ball, allowing Lars Larsson to tap it into an empty goal. Elsewhere, Elektron Harkka continue their streak of upsets. Having fallen down to a somewhat more reasonable but still highly surprising seventh place, Elektron are facing champions Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, and hold a draw more by luck then anything else when disaster strikes for Dynamo. In the Storevik Derby, it looks like smooth sailing for the favoured Admiral. Ola-Mikko Virttu converts a free kick directly to the top left corner after 35 minutes of controlling the game, and an hour into the match, Kolbeinnsson extends the lead with a header. But then, with fifteen minutes to go, Birkir makes an uncharacteristic error and hands a ball over to Isabelle Christian, who is quick to launch Lipa Kuznetsov; on the far post, left winger Reksi Halanen is first to the ball and beats Mucic for the 2-1. Now given new hope, ESK push with three strikers; Eirikur Sigurds is the one to get there first and beat Dmitriev in an aerial duel following a cross by Thorkatla Holmsdottir to equalise in injury time.

Matchday 16
CASK Thorsborg 3–1 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–1 Elektron Harkka
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Energie Thorsborg
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 ASK Landsmark
ESK Storevik 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–3 Landsmarks Industrie
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Admiral Storevik

CASK continue to sail smoothly up top, cruising to a winter championship as they beat Libertas Bergheim despite resting two starters in Prosdocimi and Jeraväinen. However, the latter is not needed at all as 19 year old Rasmus Medberg Hansen just shows up instead, scoring a brace in the first half. The other CASK teenager, Alexander Ilikin, plays a good defensive game but gets caught out when he can’t stop Arkanin other than with a foul and gives up a free kick from 24 metres, which the Libertas playmaker circles into the top left corner. It all doesn’t matter, however; Láidná Olasdottir has the last note on the game as she tunnels Lopatin and beats Trischuk under his arm in the near corner. Landsmarks Industrie are still winless 15 matchdays into the season, although seven draws mean they are not too far from the rest of the pack. Against Torpedo Pawlograd, equal on points to Industrie thanks to their five point penalty, they finally overturn the tide despite being down 1-2 at half time. However, a great performance by Farfadillis midfielder Balazs Meszaros and striker Karolina Vaitanen leads to a comeback that is finished with Vaitanen’s powerful shot being stopped by Sharin, but her striker partner Olsson manages to push the ball over the line into a now empty net to celebrate Industrie’s first victory of the season. Finally, Partisan Sjoedrhavn need a win to keep up with CASK’s pace, and they get it as Admiral Storevik become overconfident in the second half. Following a cagey, but tight first half, a careless overlap by the fullbacks leaves space for Parti’s quick wingers, and Nygaard crosses the ball over the whole pitch for Mrdja to take it directly onwards between Dubois and Oakes, cut it back to Lapanen, and cheer as the hanging striker converts. With Admiral now even more open, Dmitriev aims to put pressure onto Poulsen but only opens a space for a through ball; Lars Alvesen shoots into the gap and chips it coldly past Mucic for the 2-0.

Matchday 17
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 1–0 ESK Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 Rotor Värstjö
Elektron Harkka 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Libertas Bergheim 3–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 3–2 FK Metall Jarnstad

Elektron Harkka vs SK Cuprum Grennvik is a duel of two surprise teams. Cuprum have shocked the SFS by storming to 8th place straight out of the B, and now the unchanged team sits in fourth; Harkka have also kept much of their team together and sit in seventh in a bid to repeat Cuprum’s fairytale. Today, the Ejanans keep the better end, however. Early in the match, a lucky bounce sees a ball return to the edge of the box, where Cuprum’s Eyjolfur being quickest to react: He puts it right over to Thorvaldsson, and the midfielder has an open road to the goal and scores the 1-0. Elektron pressure the goal, but Cuprum hunker down and almost get a goal on the counter, if it wasn’t for Fjodorov sending the ball about ten centimetres high. At the same time, there are a lot more goals in Bergheim as Libertas and Dynamo match each other blow for blow. Ten minutes in, Wen hits the post; after fourteen, Khedira scores the leading goal. But another quarter of an hour later, Arkanin sends Trout deep, the ball comes to the centre, and Nymark deflects it into the own goal. Before the end of the half, Nichajev sets Dynamo ahead again, but this time it’s offside; practically on the counter, Vithoulkas gets left alone and scores. It’s a back and forth through the whole game, and after Pickton finds Tretjakov at the edge of the box Dynamo equalise. Vitale then scores the 2-3 and it looks like victory, but in the final minutes of the game, somehow a ball gets knocked on to the foot of Jubkin, and the joker scores from an angle to draw the game again. Finally, the Jarnstad Derby is much less exciting than a 3-2 would have you think. But the game is functionally decided at half time, with Lok leading 2-0 and dominating the game completely (Metall only manage one shot on goal in the first half). With the 3-0 coming off a counter an hour in, it looks like Trikhichev just secured victory, but Metall manage somewhat of a comeback as Lok slack off… but it’s never enough, as the 3-1 only comes with seven minutes to spare, and the game ends with a win for the home side.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              17   14   1   2    37   14  +23    43
 2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         17   11   3   3    30   12  +18    36
 3 SK Cuprum Grennvik          17    9   3   5    18   13   +5    30
 4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           17    7   6   4    28   24   +4    27
 5 Lokomotive Jarnstad         17    7   5   5    16   11   +5    26
 6 Libertas Bergheim           17    7   5   5    26   23   +3    26
 7 Elektron Harkka             17    8   1   8    20   20    0    25
 8 AFK Savojagrad              17    6   6   5    22   24   −2    24
 9 Dynamo Novaya Russica       17    7   7   3    18   13   +5    23*
10 ESK Storevik                17    6   5   6    20   18   +2    23
11 Admiral Storevik            17    6   5   6    23   22   +1    23
12 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      17    4   6   7    19   22   −3    18
13 FK Metall Jarnstad          17    5   3   9    10   16   −6    18
14 ASK Landsmark               17    5   6   6    13   16   −3    16*
15 Energie Thorsborg           17    4   3  10    21   36  −15    15
16 Rotor Värstjö               17    3   4  10    19   37  −18    13
17 Landsmarks Industrie        17    1   7   9    13   27  −14    10
18 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        17    2   6   9    21   26   −5    7*

*: Teams have been deducted five points for transfer regulation violations.

by **Savojarna** » Sat Sep 03, 2022 2:26 pm

SFS A Season 17 - Part 3/4

Matchday 18
Libertas Bergheim 2–2 FK Metall Jarnstad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Elektron Harkka 0–2 Rotor Värstjö
Energie Thorsborg 5–3 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 ESK Storevik
ASK Landsmark 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 2–0 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

Energie Thorsborg have provided a banging game against Savojars Vinge on the first day of the season, scoring five goals - and they repeat it on the return leg at home, although this time with more opposition. Sven Byggsvild’s promotees are pushing on hard, with Lars Metalkov and Baard Andersen setting them up 2-0, but thanks to a splendid Krister Voynov solo and a diving header by MPG, Virkaja close the gap to 2-2… until a handball by Jokiainen has Victoria Borgen step up for - and convert - a penalty. Nöysten and Tepparainen are then comboing themselves through the defence and setting up Borgen for her second goal, leading to another two goal lead. However, it’s lost within minutes - Patrik Paasio sends Vukkila deep and the striker catches Svensson between the legs, leading to what could be a frenzied finishing phase, were it not for a terrible mistake by Tristan leaving the ball sailing into open space for Nöysten to push in. It’s the only high scoring goal of the weekend, however; at least AFK Savojagrad provide some spectacle as they score in the final five minutes with a stunning goal. Natalja Levin crosses a ball in that sails out and out, to the corner of the box, where Townsend takes it on and curls it into the top right corner. In the Sunday night match, CASK Thorsborg and Dynamo Sjoedrhavn face off in a high-paced match for an hour, until CASK score the 1-1 off a Jekaterina Smolov 1v1 against Nymark. After the goal, both settle into the draw and restrict themselves to secure - and non-dangerous - attacks.

Matchday 19
Landsmarks Industrie 1–3 AFK Savojagrad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–2 ASK Landsmark
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
ESK Storevik 0–3 Energie Thorsborg
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–2 Elektron Harkka
Rotor Värstjö 2–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 2–0 CASK Thorsborg

FK Torpedo and ASK Landsmark play support act for the “real” Army-Navy-Derby to be played on Sunday, and they are delivering spectacle as Torpedo attack angrily for 45 minutes but struggle to get anything done: Novikov shoots wide, Viera high, Serebrjakov is stopped spectacularly by Pakanen twice, and towards the end Kenna-Tang hits the crossbar. But it’s ASK Landsmark who score first: Gusev clears a corner, Lovelace hooves it down the pitch, Bengtsdottir collects the ball and scores on a counter. With more space at the back, Rintanen gets another counter goal in the second half, and when Torpedo do finally score off a shot by Fjällvik, it’s too late to revert the game. Game reversing is also on the books for Lok Jarnstad, as they fall behind to Rotor twice, and the second time it looks like it will stick… but in the final ten minutes, Rotor can’t stop Ake Ericsson from crossing, Rawic heads it backwards, and nobody is near Adrian Klaebo, who scores from the edge of the box. With the score now 2-2, Lok push more aggressively while Rotor seem panicked; the overlapping Chiswick finds a cross that Trikhichev can’t get past Anders Hangren, but Anna Guweddeko is here to pounce and scores the winning goal. On Sunday night, the main event is the Army-Navy Derby. Admiral vs CASK is delivering in terms of fan intensity, and in terms of tension on the pitch as it takes only ten minutes for Lauri Anttakari to straight up cut down Ola-Mikko Virttu, Birkir Evaldsson to confront the defender, and both to see a very generous yellow card. Six minutes later, Anttakari is in the focus again, this time by failing to beat Archer in a heading duel and watching hopelessly as the Nepharan scores. On the other end, Branislaw Mucic gets to show off his skill as he stops a header by Jeraväinen at point blank range before plucking out the following corner. A black day for Lauri Anttakari continues in the second half as he is slower than Erkalainen, has to hold back the winger, and sees a second yellow as a consequence, ultimately bottling the match in favour of Admiral.

Matchday 20
AFK Savojagrad 0–6 Admiral Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Libertas Bergheim 2–1 Rotor Värstjö
Elektron Harkka 2–4 ESK Storevik
Energie Thorsborg 2–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
ASK Landsmark 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Lokomotive Jarnstad 6–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja

We’re starting off with a bang as Tryphon Archer is absolutely on fire. The Nepharan takes only 55 minutes to score three goals against a desolate AFK Savojagrad defence, not profiting from the fact that Annika Jokelainen is suspended. Perkkanen brought out of an injury early to plug holes, and Lyn Townsend not exactly in good shape. A goalkeeper mistake by Erland Lerum doesn’t help either as he plays a ball straight into the feet of Palina Leopold, leading to the winger scoring an easy goal. By the end of the game, Leopold has accumulated two assists on top, and Arianna Berger smashes a ball into the top left from 22 metres, leading to a 0-6 victory. Energie Thorsborg celebrate an important surprise victory over Partisan Sjoedrhavn as they overcome a first half goal by Machua Cronin. In the second half, Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen is the core person of the game, first drawing a penalty that Energie striker Victoria Borgen converts easily, and then scoring himself as Baard Andersen plays a beautiful diagonal pass right into his runway. In the final matchup of the week, Lok Jarnstad put on a masterclass of defence and counterplay. Madison Bilboa’s side is perfectly matched into SVV’s aggressive 4-3-3, with Finn Östberg playing a brilliant game as two-way winger, tracking back to frustrate Markus Packard-Grey on the right side, while Shisaru Zeperin is man marking Voynov. Together with the lethal long balls played by Klaebo, this rips apart SVV: Rawic gets set up for two goals in the first half, before Trikhichev and Grivoshenko score one each in the second half. In the final parts of the game, against an open defence, Elvers and Franz score two more to finish the game with the second 6-0 of the weekend.

Matchday 21
AFK Savojagrad 3–3 CASK Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Landsmarks Industrie 0–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 Energie Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Elektron Harkka
ESK Storevik 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–2 Libertas Bergheim

AFK Savojagrad play CASK Thorsborg and look a lot better than they did in their destruction at the hands of Admiral the week before; mostly because Jokelainen’s return brings stability to the defence and because Lena Kjaergaard is actually much better at dealing with Sauthier than Townsend ever handled Leopold. It also helps that up front, Ilari Milvonen has a splendid game and can count on the help of speedy Robin Norderberg, who gets a lucky strike early to set his team 2-1 up. Arnar Jonsson and Kimi Hartikainen equalise for CASK, but in the second half, Lars Larsson finds a magistral pass onto the wing for Milvonen, whose through ball for joker Chris Hjort leads to the 3-3 that secures AFK Savojagrad a surprising but very welcome point. Dynamo Novaya Russica have been quietly successful in this season, sitting in eighth place thanks to incredible defence - and fourth if we were to ignore the five point penalty they have received. Today, the Russicans travel to Landsmark and face Industrie, a pressing team that is ending up crashing against the rocks of Hjörvar Onisson and captain Andrea Najmina, along with the young Quebecois Hugo Yoon in goal, who shows a splendid performance. Hjörvar also stands out on the other end, heading in a corner by Sobchuk for the 0-1. From here on, the Dynamo side plays extremely collected and calm, with no danger of any conceding, until Sjapovalov eventually scores on a counter to finish the game at 0-2. On Sunday night, Savojars Vinge Virkaja and Libertas Bergheim clash in a duel of the offensively minded but slightly struggling challengers to the top. SVV open powerfully, needing the points desperately; and it works as Voynov scores the 1-0 twenty-six minutes in after cutting past Balle and Racic with an irresistible play. However, the issue is, like so often, that SVV lack the consistency across the match. In the second half, a slump where Voynov won’t work backwards and Virttamäki makes a mistake sees Alvin Strid overlapping, playing together with Wen and Sandoval, and setting up Vithoulkas for the equaliser; only eight minutes later, a late run by Jakub Jaranski sees the defensive midfielder being left completely alone and score from the edge of the box.

Matchday 22
CASK Thorsborg 1–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Metall Jarnstad 3–1 Rotor Värstjö
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 ESK Storevik
Elektron Harkka 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Energie Thorsborg 3–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Admiral Storevik
ASK Landsmark 2–3 AFK Savojagrad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 5–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

CASK Thorsborg have led the table for most of the season, and still do so comfortably with eight points ahead of Partisan Sjoedrhavn. However, they are stunned as they hit a SK Cuprum Grennvik whose high has somewhat subsided but still are punching above their weight. SKC’s defence around Brynjar Hatun and Kenneth Röysveit is strong, holding off Smolov and Medberg Hansen for 74 minutes in which Saevar Fyrbriggsson scores seemingly twice, but the second one is flagged for offside. Still, it’s a lead - until Medberg Hansen shoulders his way past Hatun, gets a cross from the overlapping Anja Loeseth, and slots it into the goal. But Cuprum don’t give up at a 1-1, and get a lucky punch as Jari Siilonen gets a bounce to push the ball over the line. On Sunday afternoon, ASK Landsmark and AFK Savojagrad deliver a proper punch-out (metaphorically, that is) as they push back and forth, with goals by Bengtsdottir and Rintanen setting the hosts ahead twice, but Norderberg and Bar manage to equalise twice. Then, it’s the great hour of Daniela Aalberg, who is given a ball and dribbles down the right side aggressively before one-two passing her way through with Natalja Levin and chipping the ball deep, where Kovalenko takes it past Gusev and beats Pakanen for a late win. Finally, Lok Jarnstad are demolishing second-placed Partisan Sjoedrhavn thanks to Thorgeir Arnason’s splendid coverage of Lars Alvesen and a moody performance from Mrdja, losing balls twice before a goal and struggling to track back well, resulting to her substitution after 52 minutes - at which point Lok are up 3-0, a lead they never give up until the end of the game.

Matchday 23
AFK Savojagrad 2–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Admiral Storevik 1–5 Energie Thorsborg
Landsmarks Industrie 1–1 Elektron Harkka
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 6–1 Libertas Bergheim
ESK Storevik 3–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Rotor Värstjö 0–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ASK Landsmark 1–2 CASK Thorsborg

Energie Thorsborg show that sometimes, when everything goes perfectly for them, they are capable of not just playing with the best, but demolishing them. Five goals against Admiral speak a clear language, and it comes off the back of an exhilarating, dazzling playstyle with deep runs into the box, leading to four different scorers for the first four goals. The only brace is netted by winger Lars Netalkov, who switches positions with Ingvildsen to cut down the centre and use the confusion caused by his movement for a free shot to score the 5-1. A day later, Partisan Sjoedrhavn knock out Libertas Bergheim even more convincingly, winning 6-1, but not off a concerted team effort but thanks to the extent to which Lars Alvesen dominates the box. The young striker scores two himself before heading a Nygaard cross down towards Sveinn Arnason for the 4-0 and sets up the 5-1 by shouldering off Racic and holding the ball long enough for Poulsen to make a run and be set up for a goal. Then, it’s time for Alvesen to leave the pitch under thundering applause and standing ovations. And what about the derby? ASK Landsmark open up with first strike - or so we think, but amidst the cheers for Paddi Gren’s header, referee Simon Lundberg waves it off, having seen a foul by the midfielder as he pushed off Pohjanainen going for the header. With their heads perhaps still in that dispute, ASK have to watch as Hartikainen draws Oouri to the inside and drops the ball back to Ansgar Klaey, who crosses long to Smolov for the 0-1. ASK do strike back as Bengtsdottir finds a pass back to Eve Lovelace and the Brenecian scores from the edge of the box, being left completely alone; however, in the second half, joker Vilhjalmur shields the ball in the box well enough that Arnar Jons can make a solo run to be passed a ball and score the 2-1.

Matchday 24
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 ESK Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 0–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 Rotor Värstjö
Elektron Harkka 0–4 Admiral Storevik
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Lokomotive Jarnstad and Landsmarks Industrie are both in dire need of points as the former are hunting down Partisan Sjoedrhavn on second place and striving to stay in contact with CASK if the Thorsborgers collapse, and the latter are hanging on at the very bottom of the table. Accordingly, the game develops slowly, with both sides seeking to avoid mistakes, but ramps up later on as Lok are desperate to not drop two points at home to the last placed side - and promptly overplay their hand. A rare poor ball by Adrian Klaebo under high pressure is intercepted by Lund, sending Lillian Enevoldsen deep, and Karolina Vaitanen finishes the counter in front of the goal to stun Lokomotive. No surprises are on the cards later on as Admiral net the expected clear victory over Elektron Harkka, defeating the promotees 4-0, but there is some impressive play nonetheless. The score is already 2-0 with no real risk for Admiral as Anna Witchstone is showing an inspired performance, but with the 3-0 comes showmanship from Kolbeinnsson, starting for once over the rested Tryphon Archer. A sharp cross from Erkalainen is knocked on over Trondeveig, and turning around the defender, Kolbeinnsson scores volley while falling sideways, beating Misenov to the top left. On Sunday night, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn manage to pose a big stumbling block to their city rivals, scoring early as Wallace Pickton plays a massive diagonal ball across the whole field to Vitale, and the Savigliane winger sets up Quebec’s Mohamed Khedira for a short range goal on Virulainen. Parti manage to control play after that, but they run into a wall named Tanith Arrowsmith in goal, smashing attack wave after attack wave on the Nepharan. Both Lapanen and Alvesen fail to get past the goalkeeper from close range, and Traudl Mrdja nearly rivals Kolbeinnsson with an attempt for the goal of the week as she curls a ball to the top far corner, but Arrowsmith is once more there to stop her compatriot and save the victory for Dynamo.

Matchday 25
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
ASK Landsmark 3–0 Energie Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 2–1 Elektron Harkka
Landsmarks Industrie 1–2 Libertas Bergheim
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–1 Rotor Värstjö
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad

With their victory over Partisan, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn are inching towards the Champions League; against FK Torpedo, they almost suffer a serious setback. Following Ruslan Novikov’s 1-0 on his return game after being out with an injury for weeks, the Pawlograd side hunker down to weather the storm, and they almost succeed - but then, with eleven minutes left, joker Aleksander Teranen heads in a cross by wingback Wladmir Rokowic and hope returns to Dynamo. With supernatural willpower, Alissar Phoen shoulders a way through the centre and sets up Tretjakov, who briefly appears to pass to Khedira but then just swings at the goal, scoring flat to the left side and turning the game for Dynamo. In the bottom regions of the table, SVV need points to avoid being sucked in with Rotor, Landsmarks Industrie, and Torpedo. Beating Rotor 3-1 is a great step away from that vortex of relegation, and it shows that on the rare days where Krister Voynov is fit and motivated, he is still one of the best players in the league. Scoring two goals and nearly defeating Rotor on his own, the old superstar shows flashes of his brilliance, but provokes again after his second goal. Running towards the fans, he appears to jump into the stands to celebrate with the SVV ultras before turning away abruptly and turning his back to the stands, pointing at the name on his back before coldly jogging back to the centre. The scene is the most exciting thing to still happen on this Sunday, as the duel of third-placed Lok and fifth-placed Admiral turns out a boring, stale game. Neither team is willing to risk losing and dropping down in a tight IFCF battle, which results in a cagey affair with a lot of fouls and eight yellow cards, and a scoreless draw.

Matchday 26
CASK Thorsborg 0–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Rotor Värstjö 0–3 ESK Storevik
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–2 AFK Savojagrad
Elektron Harkka 1–1 ASK Landsmark
Energie Thorsborg 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 2–2 Admiral Storevik

CASK Thorsborg make a rare mistake as they stumble at home, being denied by a clever tactical setup of SVV neutralising the threats of CASK’s offence as well as the fact that Jekaterina Smolov manages to miss the goal from ten metres. However, despite that help from Sumanen, Partisan don’t manage to make a step back into the championship race, as SK Cuprum Grennvik are equalising Poulsen’s 0-1 within less than ten minutes thanks to Saevar Fyrbriggsson - who is almost certain to leave the team for a big name after the season - slamming a ball home from fourteen metres. And then the grinding begins, with SKC’s defence frustrating the offensive power of Parti and annoying the opposition to the point that a frustrated Lars Alvesen is provoked into a revenge foul after a shoulder charge by Kenneth Röysveit. It’s not enough for a red card, but enough for a yellow; and with Alvesen already being cautioned for a cynical foul in the first half, the result is the same. With one man down, Parti seem off balance, and Eyjolfur uses the chance for the 2-1 that secures the upset. All the top teams seem to stumble this week, leaving the last one to still play - Admiral Storevik - a good chance to make up some points if they beat Libertas, and accordingly, they come out swinging, with Archer nearly scoring nine minutes in but shooting over the bar. But even though Jzeovak Vladcik actually sets up a 0-1 by Virttu, it’s not enough as Vithoulkas brings her side back. A penalty goal scored by Arianna Berger means that Admiral are close to victory, which would see them rise to fourth place, and Leopold could secure the win, but the Nepharan shoots directly at Trischuk. In the end, Kaja Eller plays supersub, falling back to take the ball from Wen and allowing the midfielder to make a deep run, setting her up for a pass sideways where Valentina Jubkin scores the 2-2.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              26   18   4   4    49   23  +26    58
 2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         26   14   4   8    42   25  +17    46
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           26   11  10   5    38   30   +8    43
 4 SK Cuprum Grennvik          26   12   7   7    25   18   +7    43
 5 Lokomotive Jarnstad         26   11   9   6    36   20  +16    42
 6 Admiral Storevik            26   11   8   7    41   29  +12    41
 7 Dynamo Novaya Russica       26   12   9   5    27   18   +9    40*
 8 ESK Storevik                26   11   7   8    34   27   +7    40
 9 Libertas Bergheim           26   10   9   7    38   40   −2    39
10 AFK Savojagrad              26    9  11   6    38   42   −4    38
11 Energie Thorsborg           26   10   4  12    40   46   −6    34
12 Elektron Harkka             26   10   3  13    29   37   −8    33
13 ASK Landsmark               26    8   8  10    23   25   −2    27*
14 FK Metall Jarnstad          26    6   7  13    16   25   −9    25
15 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      26    5   9  12    28   42  −14    24
16 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        26    5   8  13    32   36   −4    18*
17 Rotor Värstjö               26    4   4  18    26   56  −30    16
18 Landsmarks Industrie        26    2   9  15    18   41  −23    15

*: Teams have been deducted five points for transfer regulation violations.

by **Savojarna** » Mon Sep 12, 2022 8:17 am

SFS A Season 17 - Part 4/4

Matchday 27
Energie Thorsborg 0–4 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Novaya Russica 2–0 Elektron Harkka
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 Libertas Bergheim
Landsmarks Industrie 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–3 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3–2 Rotor Värstjö
ESK Storevik 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 1–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

The week opens with a Thorsborg Derby that is beyond painful for Energie fans, being run over in the first thirty minutes by CASK and already down 0-3 at half time thanks to Hartikainen, Smolov, and Prosdocimi netting goals for the visitors. There is not much Energie can do as they are simply beaten in individual skill in pretty much all positions, resulting in a painful loss against their local rivals. However, with Energie pretty safe in the middle of the table, the only thing truly bruised is their honour. A bit more is at stake in Partisan’s duel with Rotor Värstjö, where a sluggish start with a quick goal conceded spells danger for the second-placed side. However, in the second half, they turn around a 1-2 at half time with a force of will. Mrdja shows skill in cutting inside past Sjöholm, and then shouldering off Anders Hangren with pure power before slotting the ball through Lindholm’s legs and celebrating the equaliser with twenty minutes to go. Over time, there are differences in stamina visible as Rotor have been holding on to a lead for the entire second half, tiring out their defence; eventually, Grysai lets Poulsen go, Hemsberg can’t stop Alvesen, and the striker can beat Lindholm for the 3-2. On Sunday evening, Admiral and Dynamo face off for a direct duel near the cutoff for the IFCF spots. With the stakes high, they still play attractively; both sides try to press and strike first, but struggles in finishing leave the result tied at 0-0. On Admiral’s side, Archer misses the goal twice from a good position and Ola-Mikko Virttu pops up in a central position 14 metres from the net, but shoots directly at Arrowsmith. On the other side, Nichajev and Khedira both manage poor shots from central positions; Jelena Tretjakov also attempts a fearsome shot from about nineteen metres but hits the crossbar. In the second half, however, the defence cracks: Arianna Berger sends the overlapping wingback Dubois deep, and he lays the ball back to Erkalainen, who fires a shot that Kolbeinnsson deflects for the win.

Matchday 28
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 ESK Storevik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Rotor Värstjö 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 4–2 Landsmarks Industrie
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–2 Admiral Storevik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–0 AFK Savojagrad
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Elektron Harkka 0–0 Energie Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica

While the championship isn’t lost yet, technically speaking, Partisan Sjoedrhavn might have thrown away all realistic hopes of winning the title with a scoreless draw against Savojars Vinge. The mistake is completely with the Sjoedrhaveners as Parti are making many mistakes, peak of them a terrible attempt by Sveinn Arnason to score, flying far over the crossbar despite him being completely alone thirteen metres from the goal. Parti’s fans can only find some solace in the fact that SVV are even less dangerous, securing them at least one point. More effective are Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, who are putting on an absolute show against AFK Savojagrad, demolishing them within just 39 minutes. First, Vitale crosses the ball across the entire field to Pickton, who lays it back to Nichajev for the 1-0; then, Khedira just dances past two to score himself. Then, the third one comes from Jelena Tretjakov playing a brilliant through ball to Pickton, who chips it over Lerum. With the Savojagraders all but defeated, two more easy goals secure a 5-0. On Sunday night, surprise side DNR travel to Jarnstad for a real test of power. The game is tactically superb, but accordingly stale - until Lavro Zhilin breaks through, is going against Knasmuller alone, and falls in contact with the keeper. The referee initially doesn’t signal anything, talks with the linesman, and then signals a corner, before looking at the video and signalling a change of his decision… to a goal kick. Incensed, Zhilin sees yellow for complaining; the game gets a whole lot more heated after that but remains scoreless. That is, until 84 minutes are played and Florian Franz swings from nineteen metres, the ball is deflected and lands in the bottom left corner.

Matchday 29
Elektron Harkka 3–1 CASK Thorsborg
Energie Thorsborg 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
ASK Landsmark 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 1–5 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Landsmarks Industrie 1–0 Rotor Värstjö
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 4–1 ESK Storevik

It’s a weekend of upsets as Elektron Harkka start out by beating CASK not just on a lucky bounce, but straight up being the better team - although they are aided by an uncharacteristically flat CASK side. The Thorsborgers make many mistakes in buildup, including a ridiculous attempt by Prosdocimi to play a 40 m pass into occupied territory that directly leads to the 2-0; on the other side, Elektron are playing a strong, focused defence and pounce on every mistake. In the end, the side more willing to work for their win gets the points. A day later, SK Cuprum are taking the same approach to a weakened Admiral and beat them resoundingly, even scoring two more than Elektron and winning 5-1 with a hattrick from Saevar Fyrbriggsson, now linked with multiple SFS top teams. The most notable goal of the game comes from Leda Fjodorov, dancing through the opposition defence and tunneling first Dmitriev and then Mucic en route to her 4-0. Arianna Berger manages to score from range to set the score back to 4-1, but it’s all irrelevant as Cuprum win the game safely. With the stumbles up top, Partisan get at least a tiny route back into the season, requiring them to beat ESK Storevik - and they come over the Ejanans like a hurricane, with two goals within eighteen minutes and another major chance bottled as Poulsen shoots directly at ESK keeper Finn Kopperberg. ESK then come back somewhat as Reksi Halanen plays a brilliant cross onto Guweddeko and the Quebecois scores, but it’s not quite enough to get anywhere as it takes only a short time before Alvesen jumps higher than both Nepriajev and Christian and scores with a header. In the end, Alicia Kronberg nets her second of the season too as Parti do their part, but the chances for the title remain minimal at an 11 point deficit.

Matchday 30
ESK Storevik 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Rotor Värstjö 1–2 Admiral Storevik
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–2 AFK Savojagrad
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 4–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 7–1 Energie Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 4–2 Elektron Harkka
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Rotor Värstjö are in desperate need of a victory to have any chance that is more than extremely theoretical to secure SFS A membership in the next season, and even securing the relegation game spot would require a good push to the end of the season. It even looks like they are taking a good step towards that end for a long time, as Gyldenstjerne - injured for a good chunk of the season - carries the ball forward and drops it wide to Lea Mörk, and her pass back to Skargaard results in a surprising lead over Admiral. However, it doesn’t go anywhere, as Admiral’s second half effort turns over the game with Tryphon Archer and Jzeovak Vladcik, who will retire at the end of the season, scoring the goals to win the game. On Sunday afternoon, Energie Thorsborg - having more or less secured their spot in the league - experiment with young players and a hyper-offensive setup, but they just run straight into the open knife of Libertas Bergheim, resting on Jakub Jaranski playing one of the best defensive games of his life. Covering off the duo of Ingvildsen and Nöysten on his own, he sprays balls over the front five of the Bergheimers, resulting in a hattrick for Andrea Vithoulkas and a 7-1 victory for Libertas. Finally, on the last day, Partisan need to win against CASK in Thorsborg, or they will lose any chance of the title. Knowing the stakes, the army side are defending for an hour, holding off Mrdja and Nygaard on the wings and securing their lead thanks to Valujev miraculously blocking a shot from Lapanen. But then, with 27 minutes to go, Arnar Jons gets past Cronin, plays a one-two with Hartikainen and chips the ball over Vikarby for Medberg Hansen to control it and coldly beat Virulainen. This goal sets CASK ahead, and with no response from Partisan, it means that with four games to go, CASK Thorsborg secure the SFS A title at home.

Matchday 31
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 CASK Thorsborg
Elektron Harkka 0–3 Libertas Bergheim
Energie Thorsborg 0–4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
ASK Landsmark 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Rotor Värstjö
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 ESK Storevik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

CASK Thorsborg, freshly crowned SFS A Champions, travel north to Lok Jarnstad and play as if they haven’t stopped celebrating since last week. Playing sluggishly and full of mistakes, the Thorsborgers are more than unthreatening until Lok score right before the break thanks to a solo effort of Grivoshenko. With the goal secured, Lok do what they do best: defending a lead for the rest of the game, ending in a 1-0 victory that sees them stay ahead of Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and distance Admiral and DNR to secure their position in regards to the IFCF. Behind them, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and SK Cuprum both do their duty to win cleanly as well, resulting in the former jumping Admiral Storevik to secure fifth place. Dynamo Novaya Russica would be the first chasers, but with their five point penalty, they need to make a big push - and fail to do so, as FK Metall grind out a scoreless draw. Finally, FK Torpedo would be secure in their position if it wasn’t for their own penalty, but with -5 points to their name, they are just narrowly ahead of Landsmarks Industrie and in some relegation danger. Against a Partisan that desperately needs some points to hang onto their Champions League slot, they are lost. Within twenty minutes, Mrdja has beaten Sharin in the near corner and a long cross by Nygaard has been knocked back to the centre by Lapanen, where Morten Poulsen shoots and scores the 0-2. The Torpedo team is clearly not working together, looking individualistic and disjointed, resulting in a quick 0-3; only a lucky bounce that leads to a late goal by Serebrjakov saves their honour a little bit.

Matchday 32
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 Landsmarks Industrie
ESK Storevik 0–0 Admiral Storevik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–1 AFK Savojagrad
Rotor Värstjö 1–1 ASK Landsmark
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Elektron Harkka
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica

Partisan Sjoedrhavn seem to not have taken the loss of their championship ambitions well. Against Landsmarks Industrie, a side that is placed 17th with only four wins to their name, the Partisans are struggling heavily despite dominating the first half with 69% possession - but only 2 shots on goal from that (and five total attempts) are not nice at all. A scoreless draw is what we seem to get when Cronin plays a lackadaisical pass right into the feet of the pressing Elsa Lund, Bergquist knocks the ball on to Vaitanen, and the outsiders score. After the break, another counter results in a corner, on which Liljeström is being held back on the second post, the ref points to the spot, and Vaitanen nets a second goal. In the end, Viinanen may get one back but the match still ends 1-2 for the favourites. Savojars Vinge Virkaja also struggle with a spirited AFK Savojagrad, but they do manage to pull through as Krister Voynov decides to switch on his brilliance for the final thirty minutes, duping Daniela Aalberg twice and first leaving no chance to Erland Lerum, then setting up Harald Bjergsen for the 2-1. On Sunday night, the two surprise teams of the season meet in SK Cuprum and Dynamo Novaya Russica. Cuprum are third, just one point behind Partisan; DNR are sixth by points but pushed down to ninth due to their penalty. Unfortunately for the Russian side, they won’t make any progress this week as they can’t crack past Kenneth Röysveit and Brynjar Hatun, the latter of which is linked with CASK Thorsborg through the rumour mill. Today, he stands out with a very long ball that is collected by Leda Fjodorov, passed back to the centre to Eyjolfur Sigfinsson, and then scored from range with a powerful shot unstoppable to young Hugo Yoon.

Matchday 33
Libertas Bergheim 0–3 CASK Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 1–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Energie Thorsborg 1–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Rotor Värstjö
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
AFK Savojagrad 4–1 ESK Storevik
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn have secured IFCF spots, but still chase the Champions League; Lok Jarnstad could still miss out on international football - and today the two clash at the latter’s home ground. A victory for Lok could secure them their IFCF spot, and the Jarnstad side begins with a lot of spirit, but Vidkun Nymark shuts the door for Rawic and blocks a good shot of the Zeta Rekan twelve minutes in. On the other side, Adrian Klaebo is bypassed easily by Tretjakov, but her shot goes wide. Dynamo still are more active, and twenty-seven minutes in, nobody knows what to do with Alissar Phoen, giving him time to spot out Polve’s deep run; the winger doesn’t go for the cross but drops the ball back to the drifting Khedira and watches as the Quebecois scores in the near corner. In the end, Lok can’t score themselves while joker Teranen heads in a ball for the final 2-0 score. On the other end of the table, FK Torpedo Pawlograd need to beat Landsmarks Industrie in the duel of two table neighbours to maintain a chance at avoiding relegation. The Pawlograders are one point behind their rivals before the game, but they stand uncharacteristically defensive and stave off a goal in a remarkably scrappy match with a total of eleven cautions. The ninth of those hits LI’s Malinsson, who has already been warned earlier and is now sent off with 23 minutes to go; Torpedo use the newfound space for Novikov to shoot into and get a pass from striker Andrei Rotan to score the lone goal of the game. Finally, Partisan strike back from their stumble from last week thanks to a solo effort from left winger Antonia Nygaard. Faced with Flemming Skov’s restless offence, she cleverly stays up as the Admiral fullback overlaps and manages to run into the space Poulsen targets with his diagonal ball; cutting inside, she beats Kuzkin and Mucic to secure her team victory.

Matchday 34 pre-view
Up top, everything is clear: CASK Thorsborg stand fourteen points clear and will win the SFS 17 title, their first in nine years and sixth SFS-era championship overall. Behind them, there is a three way tie for the CL spot: Dynamo Sjoedrhavn are in the pole position, but only thanks to the head to head with Partisan; SK Cuprum are tied on points but far off in goal difference. On paper, Cuprum have the easiest task, playing promotees Elektron Harkka at home; Dynamo play at home against Libertas whereas Partisan play AFK Savojagrad, at home as well. In the race for the final IFCF slot, Lok are all but slotted in. Only a clear derby loss against Metall while Admiral beat Torpedo by a margin could change anything about that. Finally on the bottom, Rotor Värstjö are locked into 18th place; Landsmarks Industrie can still claw their way to the playoff spot, but they would have to beat the new champions CASK Thorsborg away while hoping for Torpedo to lose to Admiral Storevik at home.

Matchday 34
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 Landsmarks Industrie
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 Admiral Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–3 AFK Savojagrad
ESK Storevik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Rotor Värstjö 0–0 Energie Thorsborg
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Elektron Harkka
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Libertas Bergheim

The relegation battle is decided first: No shenanigans will occur as CASK are playing a strong game, wanting to end the season on a victory. Within half an hour, the Thorsborgers are already leading 2-0 courtesy of a Smolov header and a massive shot from 23 metres by fullback Halvorsen; the ensuing stability means that Industrie never truly stand a chance. Not that it would have mattered, as FK Torpedo play their heart out against Admiral, knowing their dignity is at stake. Against a flustered Admiral with a Tryphon Archer clearly suffering from bad luck, they hold a lead for a long time, but 77 minutes in Archer breaks the blockade when his personal sixth attempt of the evening finally crosses the line. The 1-1 draw helps nobody but Lok, who lock in their IFCF spot despite losing to local rivals Metall.

That leaves a thriller of a CL decider, where SK Cuprum quickly fall behind as Elektron striker Laurismäki taps in a Tsygankov cross from close range. Unable to revert score, Cuprum are at the mercy of their rivals, but they seem to be doing their best to help. Levin gets an almost free goal for AFK Savojagrad as Sven Vikarby plays a pass right into her foot, and Dynamo Sjoedrhavn barely manage to get a single attack together against Libertas. That won’t change throughout the whole evening, but Partisan manage to be even worse, giving up a massive blunder again before the break as Sabine Bar marches between Cronin and Poulsen before being pressured by two defencemen, leaving Tatjana Kovalenko completely open. Yes, Parti shorten the distance briefly, but it’s not enough as Ilari Milvonen finds Norderberg for the 3-1. In the end, everyone loses but Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, whose uninspired and dreary 0-0 secures them a Champions League slot.

Final Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              34   24   4   6    64   27  +37    76
 2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           34   16  12   6    55   33  +22    60
 3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         34   18   5  11    55   35  +20    59
 4 SK Cuprum Grennvik          34   17   8   9    40   26  +14    59
 5 Lokomotive Jarnstad         34   15  10   9    43   27  +16    55
 6 AFK Savojagrad              34   14  12   8    51   52   −1    54
 7 Admiral Storevik            34   14  11   9    48   38  +10    53
 8 Libertas Bergheim           34   13  12   9    50   46   +4    51
 9 Dynamo Novaya Russica       34   14  11   9    32   26   +6    48*
10 ESK Storevik                34   13   9  12    41   39   +2    48
11 Elektron Harkka             34   12   5  17    36   49  −13    41
12 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      34    9  13  12    35   45  −10    40
13 Energie Thorsborg           34   11   7  16    43   64  −21    40
14 FK Metall Jarnstad          34    9   9  16    23   31   −8    36
15 ASK Landsmark               34    8  10  16    25   33   −8    29*
16 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        34    7  11  16    39   47   −8    27*
17 Landsmarks Industrie        34    5   9  20    25   53  −28    24
18 Rotor Värstjö               34    5   6  23    31   65  −34    21

*: Team was deducted five points due to transfer rule violations.

Awards

SFS 17 Team of the Season (4-3-3):
GK: Tanith Arrowsmith (NPH/DSJ)
DF: Ansgar Klaey (CASK), Brynjar Hatun (SKC), Hjörvar Onisson (GRF/DNR), Wladmir Rokowic (ZRH/DSJ)
MF: Jelena Tretjakov (DSJ), Jakub Jaranski (LIB), Arnar Jonsson (CASK)
FW: Kimi Hartikainen (CASK), Jekaterina Smolov (CASK), Traudl Mrdja (PAR)

SFS 17 MVP: Jekaterina Smolov (CASK)
SFS 17 Top Scorer: Jekaterina Smolov (CASK / 23 goals)
SFS 17 Top Goalkeeper: Tanith Arrowsmith (NPH/DSJ)
SFS 17 Best Young Player (U-21): Kenneth Röysveit (SKC)

by **Savojarna** » Thu Sep 15, 2022 6:03 am

SFS Season 17: Lower Leagues

SFS B

   SFS B                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 FK Sjoedrhavn           34   21   7   6    54   24  +30    70
 2 RLSK Pawlograd          34   18  10   6    49   30  +19    64
 3 Transport Hovikkära     34   16   9   9    29   22   +7    57
 4 Traktor St. Andrei      34   17   5  12    66   47  +19    56
 5 Framfarir Kjefla        34   17   4  13    47   36  +11    55
 6 Navigator Jaromirgrad   34   14  12   8    58   41  +17    54
 7 Nemstvo SK              34   15   9  10    48   39   +9    54
 8 Mir Nestrovo            34   13  13   8    51   44   +7    52
 9 Metsuri Virkaja         34   13   8  13    30   30    0    47
10 FK Odin Kjaershavn      34   13   6  15    35   35    0    45
11 Agrar Jurka FK          34   12   8  14    35   39   −4    44
12 Jarov Jarovsk           34   11   8  15    32   46  −14    41
13 Norrhavn FK             34    9  12  13    20   30  −10    39
14 Valdhavn IF             34    9  11  14    25   29   −4    38
15 EU Storevik             34    9  11  14    30   44  −14    38
16 FK Chemie Frisks        34    9   8  17    31   39   −8    35
17 Polar Grundviken        34    7   6  21    18   44  −26    27
18 Union Roopere           34    3  13  18    25   64  −39    22

Relegation games:

Transport Hovikkära 1-3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (0-1, 1-2)
Zenit Jegrava 0-2 FK Chemie Frisks (0-0, 0-0, 0-2 AET)

FK Sjoedrhavn and RLSK Pawlograd are promoted to the SFS A.
Polar Grundviken and Union Roopere are relegated to the Nationalligaen.

Nationalligaen

   Nationalligaen          Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 RAS St. Andrei           30   18   6   6    39   20  +19    60
 2 Partizan Yarkovo         30   15  10   5    57   32  +25    55
 3 Zenit Jegrava            30   16   7   7    46   25  +21    55
 4 Kallora IF               30   16   3  11    43   27  +16    51
 5 Industrie Hovikkära      30   15   6   9    36   21  +15    51
 6 Sporting Järvonen        30   14   9   7    39   28  +11    51
 7 Motor Johansborg         30   14   8   8    50   32  +18    50
 8 Jaromirgrad Union        30   13  10   7    31   21  +10    49
 9 Trollsheim Jarnsmän      30   10  11   9    38   35   +3    41
10 FK Perl Kruger Sandvik   30   10   6  14    28   41  −13    36
11 Frisks IF Admiral Grön   30    8   7  15    28   43  −15    31
12 Tapparainen FK           30    7   9  14    35   48  −13    30
13 Narod Trepkov            30    6   8  16    22   46  −24    26
14 Bjurman Mävle            30    4  12  14    13   31  −18    24
15 SK Sjöveld               30    6   6  18    22   53  −31    24
16 Pawlograd Marina         30    5   8  17    27   51  −24    23

RAS St. Andrei and Partizan Yarkovo are promoted to the SFS B.
Due to no Regionalligaen teams being granted a professional licence, there are no relegations/promotions downwards from Nationalligaen.

by **Savojarna** » Sat Nov 12, 2022 5:46 am

SFS 18 Season Preview (Part 1/2)

RLSK Pawlograd (last season: 2. SFS B.)

Origin and identity: Founded by students as a Russican club in 1932, and struggling to get acceptance in Pawlograd. Fierce rivalries exist with multiple other Pawlograd teams, with varied success. RLSK are a union team supposed to represent the whole town, but have their strongest base among the traditionally liberal-national Pawlograd students and often are considered a hotbed of Russian liberal nationalism.
Tactics: Aged 75, the eternal Grigori Markov finally decided he had enough at the helm of RLSK Pawlograd and stepped aside, letting the former understudy Oleg Tekhanjov. He has taken over Markov’s defensive football, but did somewhat change things up by a less flat midfield, and focusing more on quick play through the middle when they have the ball, rather than just sending it far forward and hoping it arrives at a striker. On the defence, they remain scrappy and hard to break down, relying on a chain of five and a resilient double pivot.
Key Players: Ahonen and Buhaug in defence have remained in place throughout the stint in the B, despite their age; they are flanked by new signing Victoria Liljeström, but at least they got some backup in leftback Sigridur Eythorsdottir. Ahead of them, Esa Simola was decidedly average in their relegation season, but the veteran midfielder has found a late surge in quality in the second division and plays the defensive part alongside the younger and more dynamic Anastasia Mjosov. The most exciting player in this team is the striker, 22 year old Johan Ludvigsson. The forward has gone through Lok Jarnstad’s academy and was on the bench behind Bogdan Rawic before moving on to RLSK for more playtime. The striker with roots in Quebec was the best scorer in the SFS B last season, and has been linked to the Independent Athletes from Quebec national team before.
Expectations: RLSK’s relegation has come as a surprise, and the immediate return to the top flight has been a statement. However, much of the strongest new talent has gone, and RLSK’s tactical approach remains limited; with a lot of the team’s core remaining rather old, the team is probably closer to the bottom of the table than the top.

Stadium: Stadion Alexey Sakharov (capacity: 40’400)
Manager: Oleg Tekhanjov (43)
Expected formation: 5-2-1-2
Transfers incoming: Victoria Liljeström (LB, from Landsmarks Industrie, 1 million NSD), Andrei Askov (CB, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | outgoing: Valentina Strakhova (CB, retirement)

FK Sjoedrhavn (Last season: 16.)

Origin and identity: FKS have been established as a union of dockworker, factory worker, and student teams in 1962, although many of their constituent teams date to pre-revolutionary times. A side deeply rooted in Sjoedrhavn, somewhat relishing their difficult spot as the number 3 in the city in terms of success. Supported by Sjoedrhavn artists, punks, and syndicalist since the 1980s and thriving in fanatic support of the city.
Tactics: FK Sjoedrhavn have been one of the most interesting and exciting teams in the SFS B, storming through the second division with dynamic play using a lopsided back three. Playing typically with a wingback on the left side and a wide midfielder on the right, the Sjoedrhaveners are often pushing through the right to search either for a quick pass towards the centre or a cross to the other side, pushing up late. In defence, they tend to operate with a high block with their defensive midfielders, trying to win balls early before the backs need to get involved at all.
Key Players: Trent Ullqvist may be 36 years old, but he is still good and smart enough to direct the side’s defence, standing in the centre as a sort of sweeper past the pressing line of the midfielders and the supporting centre-backs Legkov and Martiainen. Further up front, Rolf Patriksson has returned from the benches of the top teams to his childhood club, sharing playtime with Birger Haraldsson; both of them are defensive midfielders who will close down the centre and aim to quickly feed captain Trine Mortensen, the athletic, bullish Lars Lindberg, or Mijatov. The player to watch on this team is offensive midfielder Halvard Aalgren. Having come from the Högvald system last year, he is a flair player with a lot of intelligence, and it will be interesting to see how the Savojar U-21 national player will hold up against stronger competition.
Expectations: FKS have been strong in the B, but they lost their best striker in Martin Ekveit and rely on a few players whose skill in the top flight is not yet tested. In the best case, their talent can hold its own and their additions to the team work out well, but in the worst case, their B team collapses and burns. More than a position just above the safe areas would be a surprise, but larger surprises have happened before.

Stadium: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion (capacity: 28’400)
Manager: Knut Henriksen (44)
Expected formation: 3-4-1-2
Transfers incoming: Laila Olsen (CB, Admiral Storevik, 0.75), Rolf Patriksson (CM, CASK Thorsborg, 0) | Outgoing: Martin Ekveit (ST, Energie Thorsborg, 1.5)

FK Torpedo Pawlograd (16.)

Origin and identity: Established in 1944 in reaction to ASK Landsmark, Torpedo were supposed to represent the new spirit of the Navy and be the prime “communist club” in Russica. Proud of their backing and symbolic role, they traditionally value skill and elegance; however, they are also notorious for unrest off the pitch. Both their fans, which are known to get violent in games against city rivals and traditionally Russian Nationalists RLSK (although that goes both ways), and their management, which is known for little patience with coaches, can cause storms around a chronically inconsistent side.
Tactics: Aleksi Matiainen, formerly of Savojars Vinge, has taken over after Torpedo decided not to prolong with Lew Nyborg. However, the two played a very similar game, so not too much should change for this side. A fluid 4-3-3 in which the three forwards and the midfielders are expected to float around freely creating chaos, and the defensive midfielders are shuttling balls and making late runs. In Virkaja, he frequently let wingers pull inside as well; with different players, it remains to be seen if he keeps up that idea.
Key Players: Torpedo are a team with a lot of changes this season. Two retirements and three outgoing transfers, including starter Ruslan Novikov and fringe starter Terje Landman, have called for some refreshments in the team, as have the disappointing results of the last two seasons. But with Anselmo Viera, Emma Kenna-Tang, and Selvala Tabur, as well as a Sergei Sharin that has recovered from the health issues plaguing him last season, the core of the side is intact. The most interesting addition is Nepharan offensive midfielder Zander Cadell, who can also play on the left side. Together with Dmitri Ryzhikov, a central offensive midfielder who played a replacement role at Dynamo, the two should replace Novikov and Zhirkov. Finally, the most interesting talent of this side is Artjom Sokolov, promoted from the academy team, to take up the replacement role behind an aging but still crucial Anselmo Viera.
Expectations: Torpedo went from IFCF participations and Championship Race dreams straight back to the midfield, and even further down, as they needed a relegation game victory over Transport Hovikkära to even stay in the SFS A. Management reacted with massive investment, and if the new players and coach click, they might easily secure a top 10 position again; however, if they don’t, the team might as well fall down to the pits again.

Stadium: Stadion Admiral Rjurden (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Aleksi Matiainen (45)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Transfers incoming: Zander Cadell (LF/NPH, Brinemouth/NPH, 5), Dmitri Ryzhikov (OM, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 1.7), Jelena Istrov (CB, Elektron Harkka, 1), Artjom Sokolov (RF, FK Torpedo Academy, 0) | outgoing: Ruslan Novikov (LM, Starling/NPH, 6), Vilborg Asthorsdottir (RM, Transport Hovikkära, 0.6), Terje Landman (CB, FK Odin Kjaershavn, 0.25), Ylvi Japarainen (LB, retirement), Vitali Zhirkov (OM, retirement)

ASK Landsmark (15.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1942 as a farm team for CASK, they got independent in the 1970s. Despite periodical success, they have largely been a mid-table team relying on a scrappy, defensive style of football to overcome their bigger rivals. As a state team with limited success, their fan base is sort of small and considered prone to bandwagoning, or abandoning the team in rougher times. Most people within the city support Landsmarks Industrie instead, considered much more of a “city team”.
Tactics: ASKL value hard work over technical brilliance. Tough defence and fast counter-attacks over the side are their key path to success. They operate a lot with long through balls from the midfield, and seek to find one of their killers up front. While the new coach, former U-21 coach Oleg Liparov, will bring in some changes, he is likely to keep the basics of the team the way it was before, especially given that his work at the U-21 was also heavily based on defence and stability.
Key Players: For a team that hasn’t quite managed to deliver last season, ASK made surprisingly few changes. Iiro Pakanen’s departure means that the defence has to pick up some slack, and that puts pressure on aging Delaclavan star defender Valentin Gusev. With 20 year old St. Andrei youth product Fjodor Meturin, ASK at least picked up an exciting goalkeeper, as well as a competent mentor in Stan Misenov. Up front, Ilari Litmanen is gone and replaced by a former U-21 player, Liparov’s golden boy Daniel Potvin; the real focus of the offence, however, will be Justus Rintanen and the feeds he gets from Helga Bengtsdottir and Láidná Olasdottir. The biggest issue for ASK is that this team is old: several key players are well into their thirties, and the age average is only brought down by some inexperienced rookies.
Expectations: With no more punishments to their name (although still feeling the impact of a heavy fine imposed after the violation of transfer restrictions last season), ASK are probably going to bounce back at least a little bit. Still, Liparov has a tough task at hands and a top 10 place would be a success. Probably ending up in a relatively similar spot just outside the top 10, with few relegation worries.

Stadium: Axel-Nejdur-Stadion (capacity: 46’000)
Manager: Oleg Liparov (42)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 flat
Transfers incoming: Fjodor Meturin (GK, Traktor St. Andrei, 1.6), Láidná Olasdottir (RM, CASK Thorsborg, 1), Stanislav Misenov (GK, Elektron Harkka, 0.75), Daniel Potvin (ST, ASK Landsmark U-21, 0) | outgoing: Iiro Pakanen (GK, retirement), Carl Hedman (RM, retirement), Ilari Litmanen (ST, retirement)

FK Metall Jarnstad (14.)

Origin and identity: Miner clubs were some of the oldest clubs in Savojarna. FK Metall were a union of many different clubs after the Revolution, some of which existed since the 1870s. Formed from the miners around the city of Jarnstad, Metall enjoy a solid basis in the entire Jarnslän. They are often seen as a country team, and an honest, hard-working union team. One of the first to introduce a foreign coach, they showed no inhibition to take risks either.
Tactics: Relying on a tough to break defence, with two flat chains, FK Metall usually shut down the midfield. Once they got the ball, they usually try to get the ball to a fast striker or winger, their probably strongest individual positions. The central midfield is of crucial importance for both obtaining the ball and progressing play up the pitch once it is won.
Key Players: Mookie Danube has carried this side to a seventh place in his first season. The Xannerian hasn’t quite repeated that performance with a still improving defence and promptly, Metall fell; this shows the value of Danube to this side. Further ahead, the quartet of Amelaga, Johansson, Mortensson and Kanarin presumably will take turns in building this core once more, with more challenge and depth coming from the young midfielder Riina Lappanen. Up front, Damjan Emin has introduced more power on the flanks to make Metall’s attack more versatile and relieve some of the pressure put on Pedersen and Ekman. Overall, consistency is more than key for this side, who decided to replace absolutely nobody.
Expectation: It’s still Metall, it’s still scrappy, it’s still defensive, it’s still not exciting. Still, slow but consistent improvement for Metall has started paying off. At the very least, it’s now going to be a whole lot harder to beat Metall; if nothing else, that should give them a good shot to ward off relegation again and secure a lower midfield spot.

Stadium: MetallArena Jarnstad (capacity: 44’000)
Manager: Ognjan Vlahović (ZRH, 70)
Expected formation: 4-4-1-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: Alexander Smichov (GK, retirement)

Energie Thorsborg (13.)

Origin and identity: Having been formed in the 1890s, Energie are one of the oldest clubs in Thorsborg and were a founding member of the Savojar League. They are a notorious mid-table team, but have had a high time in the early SFS days with back-to-back cup victories. Formed out of the electricity workers of Thorsborg, this club has become a representative of the Western part of the city, and many traditional workers support them.
Tactics: Sven Byggsvild is a young coach coming up through the SFS B ranks. Offensively minded, he rejected the traditional Energie 4-3-3 in favour of a four-man midfield supported by a pivot in defence, this is a team that is much more physical and running-heavy than its predecessors. The flat four interchange positions frequently and make deep runs, in conjunction with the striker dropping off to rip holes into enemy defences.
Key Players: Byggsvild’s Fab Four in the midfield were really running this show last season, but they have been ripped apart as Tepparainen moved to Cuprum. From left to right, Lars Metalkov, Linus Nöysten and Ole Ingvildsen are all still fast, technically gifted midfielders, and with Erling Winther of Landsmarks Industrie, a veteran joins them to play stop-gap until 18 year old Valentina Torsenkov is ready for the SFS A. They are completed by Victoria Borgen, the team’s biggest threat in front; SFS B top scorer Martin Ekveit joined from FK Sjoedrhavn. Behind them, Baard Andersen is shielding them in a more defensive role than usual, able to swap up into the flat four for more stability with Tarje Sandbeck as a pivot. In defence, Zibo Olberg and Mah Huang are still going strong despite having crossed the 30 year mark by now, backing up Ulf Svensson in goal; however, the power of this team lies in its offensive spectacle.
Expectation: A young and exciting squad managed its way through a tough first year of the SFS A and actually stuck together, supported with a little more experience and a bit more firepower. This is a thrilling side to watch, and while they are not good enough to truly play for the front half of the table yet, they are probably going to trip up some teams - and aim for another year of development in the SFS A.

Stadium: National Energiekollektivets Arena (capacity: 48’600)
Manager: Sven Byggsvild (41)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Transfers incoming: Martin Ekveit (ST, FK Sjoedrhavn, 1.5), Erling Winther (RM, Landsmarks Industrie, 0.9) | outgoing: Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen (RF, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 2.8), Valtteri Lehto (ST, retirement)

Savojars Vinge Virkaja (12.)

Origin and identity: The team was founded in 1946 as the representative of the Savojar Air Force. From its beginning, it was supposed to challenge the domination of CASK and Admiral, but struggled to achieve this. SVV see themselves as representing the technical side of Savojarna, and have been associated with high technical skill and tactical sophistication. Their fans are known to be sort of fickle, but have been humbled by three seasons in the SFS B, forcing the side to reinvent itself as a more youth-focused, creative side.
Tactics: Traditionally, Virkaja play a fluid 4-3-3, which fits well with their young and energetic core. They can be expected to run and pass a lot, and have their wingers orient themselves towards the goal. Traditionally, they are highly offensive, and emphasise their defenders to join the offence; in the B, they have somewhat mellowed, but also put their strikers on extensive pressing duty to force errors. All offensive players are typically aiming to score, and frequently swap positions as the situation requires.
Key Players: It turns out you cannot just throw money at the team and expect something to stick: With Voynov frequently in poor form, and Markus Packard-Grey spending part of the season injured, SVV showed fragility. Their response: More money for the problem. The midfield got stabilised with former national team player Birkir Evaldsson, and on the wings, Nephara winger Ysabet Belgrade adds more firepower and flexibility. In defence, Vibeke Mortensen remains a core player and showed yet another season where she was rarely exciting, but never disappointing; up front, Bjergsen and Packard-Grey will scramble for a single striker spot, with MPG probably moving to the side regularly. The main issue of SVV at this point is the rising age of some of their players, and the potential for strong egos to clash in the team.
Expectations: SVV have proven that they can keep up with the midfield in the past season, but fell completely flat with what should have been a stronger team. A lot hinges on the top players in this side, and if they are in shape, they might well return to the top half like the fans exist. But if they are not showing up, it will be pain in Virkaja again.

Stadium: Patrik Suhonen Stadion (capacity: 52’000)
Manager: Dmitri Lijushkin (48)
Expected formation: 4-3-3
Transfers incoming: Birkir Evaldsson (DM, Admiral Storevik, 1.5), Ysabet Belgrade (LF/NPH, Coret Hawks/NPH, 1.5), Annegret Holdenberg (CM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0) | outgoing: Loki Mattason (DM, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1.25), Oleg Barkov (RB, RLSK Pawlograd, 0.2), Max Stenberg (CM, retirement), Thorbjörn Vukkila (ST, retirement)

Elektron Harkka (11.)

Origin and identity: Elektron were a collection of village clubs that had no ambition to go beyond amateur until the 1950s, when Savojarna’s authorities searched for a nuclear research site and found it in a relatively remote Northern Sumani area. As the area began to grow into the core of Savojar nuclear industry, a small but relevant part of energy until the 1990s, when a renewed investment into hydro and wind turned the tide, it grew into a loose city, equipped with a great technical university, that adopted the team and shaped it into a solid second-division side that lacks a real ultra scene, but has a very big casual fandom.
Tactics: Elektron are known for a particular philosophy, as they tend to draw their coaches from their own youth system: Fast, offensive football, usually resting on a back three and two versatile wingbacks. Ilari Suhonen is entirely playing in this mold, setting his team up in a 3-4-3 with what are wingbacks on paper, but play extremely far forward; his wingers are second and third strikers, always aiming for the goal. In the A, Elektron might have to play a bit more defence, which they tend to do aggressively and physically.
Key players: Alexandra Tsygankov and Hektor Strandt have taken the team onto a rampage in the Cup six years ago, falling only in the semifinals to ultimate winners RLSK Pawlograd and eliminating both Dynamos in the process. That generation formed the core of this side through its promotion and during last season: Ilja Porjagin in central midfield, playmaker Henrik Zenqvist, and right wingback Sanne Helmstred have all been part of this team in some capacity, and stuck with Elektron despite some tempting offers from other teams. The ones to drop were the two young defenders Jens Trondeveig and Jelena Istrov, and they have been replaced by youth prospect Valtteri Saarela from the Elektron Academy, and SFS A journeywoman Justiina Tapio following her relegation with Industrie. An experiment is the goalkeeper choice: Kaspars Żalgiris is the first Kuraitan in the SFS A, signed from his home country, and the second choice of the Kuraitan national team.
Expectations: Elektron have kept the core of their surprisingly strong team together, and they are experienced at their core while holding on to some amazing talent (most notably, neither Joni Laurismäki nor Kaspar Riis have been signed away). On paper, this team should do at least as good as last year’s, but last year’s team massively outperformed the paper. Expect a slide back down towards the relegation fight, although with a decent chance to survive said fight.

Stadium: Stadion Savojarnas Kansallinen Teknillinen Yliopisto Harkka
Manager: Ilari Suhonen (45)
Expected formation: 3-4-3
Transfers incoming: Justiina Tapio (CB, Landsmarks Industrie, 1.3), Elina Dragunov (RF, Traktor St. Andrei, 1), Kaspars Żalgiris (GK/KUR, Żalbaltas Aziklirins/KUR, 0.5) | outgoing: Jens Trondeveig (CB, ESK Storevik, 1), Jelena Istrov (CB, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1), Stanislav Misenov (GK, ASK Landsmark, 0.75)

ESK Storevik (10.)

Origin and identity: Ejana was dominated by dockworker and neighbourhood squads. In 1940, ESK were founded to challenge the primacy of Admiral with a true Ejana team supported by the local leaders. A union of clubs representing city neighbourhoods of Storevik, it has developed into a sort of "national team" of Ejana, enjoying support all over the island. Its fans are pretty fervent, and often swing into left-wing political activism.
Tactics: Rune Zackrisson, who announced he will end his coaching career following this season, assembled a stable team built on a stable central midfield, fast vertical play, and a base of strong organisation. ESK used to be characterised by offensive flurry and chaos, but they have long since turned to defensive organisation and strength, and building a flurry off this base with two fast wingers and offensive wingbacks, alongside two central strikers in the box.
Key Players: The top three of ESK’s offence remain the face and hope of this team. Eddie Guweddeko, Lipa Kuznetsov, and Tuomas Lajunen are all players that can decide a game; while Lajunen is already 36, he has been backed up well with Eirikur Sigurdsson and the 18 year old Freya Jotansdottir. Isabelle Christian and Sölva Ylsdottir control the game from the centre; however, ESK still lack an offensive element in midfield. Spectacle-guarantee Reksi Halanen on the left side is expected to pick up that duty. In defence, Finn Kopperberg has established himself as goalkeeper behind a defensive line that used to consist of Igor Nepriajev and Halldor Parvin, but with the latter in his mid-thirties, designated replacement Jens Trondeveig will probably see play too; the biggest name, however, is the capped wingback Gudjohn Magnusson. On the right midfield, ESK dared the same experiment as Elektron, signing a Kuraitan in U-21 captain Ignas Varauskas.
Expectations: Realistic expectations of IFCF football in Storevik are gone, and the team’s aging process does not look likely to change that. Still, ESK are a good midfield team and have the capacity to surprise; a repeat of last year’s place looks reasonable. Everything above that would probably be a surprise, however.

Stadion: Ejansk Stadion (capacity: 41’000)
Manager: Rune Zackrisson (66)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Jens Trondeveig (CB, Elektron Harkka, 1), Ignas Varauskas (RM/KUR, FK Arcjuga/KUR, 0.5), Freya Jotansdottir (MS, ESK Storevik U-21, 0) | outgoing: Jon Arnar Halldorsson (CB, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 1.8), Uller Sigfridsson (ST, Framfarir Kjefla, 0), Fridtjof Rolfrsson (GK, retirement), Poul Olsen (RF, retirement)

by **Savojarna** » Fri Nov 18, 2022 11:33 am

SFS 18 Season Preview (Part 2/2)

Dynamo Novaya Russica (9.)

Origin and identity: Founded as policemen's club in 1915, turned into a representative team in 1938. Used to be a development team for Dynamo Sjoedrhavn until the 70s, which led to the Dynamo Rivalry. The second police club is also particularly popular in most places, but due to a lack of other clubs in Novaya Russica, they moved from police club to representing NR. Recently gained traction among locals, but still mostly hated nationally.
Tactics: A classical defensive Savojar team: defensive, tough to break down and relying on a tight midfield to counter the opponent down. Despite a change in leadership, their stint in the B did not change their tactics whatsoever; however, there is now more emphasis on finding players that can also provide some technical ability. Often using a fast striker to bring in offence, and sometimes a hanging striker within the midfield five. In the centre, the midfield tends to lie deep, with the wingers providing the main offensive drive to bring balls into the front third.
Key Players: Hugo Yoon in goal is 22 years old and more than established among the SFS’s top goalkeepers - although helped by a strong defence around Hjörvar Onisson and Ilmo Heinonen. In the midfield, DNR are old and uninteresting, but reliable: Yamaj-Blonz Jok shows no signs of slowing down at age 36, and one year younger, Valeri Makanov still runs up and down the field like crazy. Creativity has to come from the flanks: Alexander Sobchuk on the left side has fulfilled this task well last season, and on the right, Pernille Norby may be aging, but new signing Kristiina Pohjala is a versatile replacement for the iconic right winger that has proven herself a late bloomer in the SFS B. DNR lost two of their more interesting prospects to champions CASK in striker Sjavopalov and midfielder Johan Larsson, but with Industrie striker Sebastian Olsson and Pohjala, they replaced them well. An interesting new addition to the league are former Dynamo Academy players Evgeni Sabokhin (whose academy team centre-back partner Kristian Thelander has been promoted to Dynamo Sjoedrhavn) and defensive midfielded Tommi Reitanen.
Expectations: Dynamo Novaya Russica are a perennial overachiever: A team that seems mediocre and over-aged on paper manages to get out some more results year after year thanks to Malte Ljungberg’s clever coaching, athletic trainer Alexander Ljutov’s work to ensure fitness even among the older players, and an unbeatable team spirit. A midfield place is the likely payment for DNR’s effort.

Stadion: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 29’700)
Manager: Malte Ljungberg (45)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Sebastian Olsson (ST, Landsmarks Industrie, 1), Kristiina Pohjala (RM, Navigator Jaromirgrad, 0.8), Evgeni Sabokhin (CB, Akademien Dynamo, 0), Tommi Reitanen (DM, Akademien Dynamo, 0) | Outgoing: Johan Larsson (RM, CASK Thorsborg, 1.9), Denis Sjavopalov (ST, CASK Thorsborg, 1), Andrea Najmina (CB, retirement)

Libertas Bergheim (8.)

Origin and identity: After the formation of a national league, the teams of the three biggest Bergheimer unions had formed the club in 1927. Libertas is traditionally an upper-midfield team with 2 cups, and in SFS 9 finally managed to secure their first and so far only championship. They are the team of Bergheim's unions, made up of coal and silver miners as well as loggers. Bergheim's independent spirit and left-libertarian tradition shapes the club's identity and its large fan base.
Tactics: Libertas have turned away from their attempt at direct vertical play and shifted more towards exciting, fluid short passing centred around two offensive midfielders in Arkanin and Wen. In defence, the back four are stable, with little freedom to push forward; a defensive midfielder acts as a destroyer ahead of the defence. However, expect high pressing from the midfield four, and a fluid passing game on the ball with two aggressive wingers that link with a top notch striker.
Key Players: Dino Racic is the core of this side’s defence; alongside him, Trixie Cottan provides a reliable, if aging presence in the centre. Ahead of this duo, Libertas are anchored by 23 year old Jakub Jaranski, a technically strong holding midfielder. The offensive midfield with Wen and Arkanin is the envy of the league; however, up front, things somewhat hinge on Andrea Vithoulkas more than the coaching duo is probably happy to admit. Trout and Sandoval may be solid supports, but they are not exciting by themselves; backup Kaja Eller seems to play better ever since she isn’t carrying Libertas’ hopes on her back anymore. The biggest question, however, will be whether goalkeeper Mikhail Trischuk can find any form again, and if not, whether Libertas have a backup plan for the South Newlandian.
Expectations: It appears that Bergheim settled into the idea that its team’s time in the top is over and they return to the upper midfield. They were hurt badly by not spending much while the teams around them were, but this won’t matter this season. Prime targets will be to fight for the best spot within the group of sub-IFCF sides and finish 6th.

Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion (capacity: 27’900)
Manager: Lise Asbeck (64) / Mikaela Rangren (58)
Expected formation: 4-1-4-1
Transfers incoming: – | outgoing: –

Admiral Storevik (7.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as a Navy team, immediately building a heated rivalry with CASK. Admiral were initially stronger but fell behind in the 1930s, struggling for titles since. Historically, the army club are their biggest rivals, followed by Torpedo and ESK. Although Admiral are not very popular in Storevik, quite a few people in Ejana support them as the main source of potential titles for the island.
Tactics: Admiral are a pretty balanced side, with a slight offensive bias thanks to a highly talented frontline and a tradition of strong single strikers. They rely on a calm, collected buildup from a strong defensive line and a double pivot that provides a base for the offensive four to stray forward and work creative magic. Their prime asset is often on the wings, which are tasked with creative play and opening spaces up front.
Key Players: Tryphon Archer may not quite have followed up on his top scorer debut in the SFS A, but he’s still the centrepiece of this side. Ola-Mikko Virttu, however, could not quite draw the strings as it was expected of him - yet. The young Finn showed flashes of brilliance, but was also occasionally invisible, leading to the lack of consistency that held Admiral back. With Birkir Evaldsson gone, Anna Witchstone and Arianna Berger have to take responsibility in the midfield to provide the rock for Admiral to rest upon. A solid central defence with Dmitriev and Oakes in control, and Zeta Rekan goalkeeper Branislaw Mucic behind them, are supposed to keep a clean sheet. Admiral are a side that has few standout players, but also few weaknesses.
Expectations: Strong team, but with a disappointing performance last season and losing some of their key players - Admiral are on a redemption tour. With few top level signings, this may be another season in which Admiral are underperforming and figuring out their new direction, but most likely, they will at least contest for the IFCF posts.

Stadium: Marinestadion (capacity: 48’000)
Manager: Hwang Joon-Ho (52/QUE)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: Julia Grysai (CM, Rotor Värstjö, 1), Aljona Bergman (LM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0), Oleg Sabotkin (CB, NFA Högvald Vit, 0) | outgoing: Birkir Evaldsson (DM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1.5), Laila Olsen (CB, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.75), Jzeovak Vladcik (LM, retirement), Jure Filipovic (GK/DCA, retirement)

AFK Savojagrad (6.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1903 as a student club at the University of Savojagrad, a bastion of the Russian Unionist movement as well as conservatism. Disbanded in 1910 and refounded 1917 as a much more open-minded and internationally oriented club, the side is nowadays associated with an international, young, and vibrant public - very much in tune with the general transformation of Savojagrad into a cosmopolitan, trendy tech and creativity hub. Aka is the oldest student club of the country, viewed as a team of intellectuals who will lose themselves in tactical intricacies.
Tactics: AFK have fluid side that can move the ball fast through the centre and use their traditionally strong playmakers for distribution, or play over their wingers. After a spell of defensive football disliked by the audience, this is now a creative side, although some players haven’t fully caught up yet. Traditionally value a relatively stationary dedicated playmaker in a classical 10 position, and have created some spectacular players in that position.
Key Players: Lars Larsson has succeeded club legend Kevin Nordmark as captain, and is the rock that shields Savojagrad’s creative offence. This offence rests on Vanorian prospect Sabine Bar, who has entirely grown into the traditionally strong AFK playmaker role, allowing her to take centre stage in this team. Robin Norderberg and Natalja Levin have left the squad, but the former has been replaced more than adequately in former Admiral and Dynamo player Vladimir Nichajev; aside him, priority likely will go to Tatjana Kovalenko, who has been hailed as a pickup for top clubs but has remained in Savojagrad. On the wing, Levin’s replacement is a surprise: Olaf Hensberg, aged 34, is probably going to see much more playtime, alongside the 19 year old Boris Kajanov. In the defence, Jaromir Povchuk, Johanna Sundqvist and Annika Jokelainen are shuffling around in central defence, whereas on the left, Lena Kjaergaard is now seeing priority over 36 year old Lyn Townsend.
Expectations: The Academics have come back from a somewhat awkward season 17 in full force and stormed to sixth thanks to an extremely solid defence centred on Larsson, and a strong Natalja Levin - which has resulted in her departure. Gennadi Velitskin has proven that he can get the best out of his team, and he will have to prove that he can develop new players too. AFK are a good contender for the “best of the rest” title behind the top 5, and may snatch up an IFCF spot if one of the Big Five stumbles.

Stadion: NUSArena (capacity: 21’600)
Manager: Gennadi Velitskin (39)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 diamond
Transfers incoming: Vladimir Nichajev (ST, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 5.2), Boris Kajanov (RM, AFK Savojagrad U-21, 0), Jens Holm (CB, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | outgoing: Robin Norderberg (ST, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 4.5), Natalja Levin (RM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 3.3), Linus Perkkanen (CB, retirement)

Lokomotive Jarnstad (5.)

Origin and identity: Formed in 1929, Lok is younger than Metall Jarnstad, and the two entered a heated rivalry immediately. Lok is the club of the railway workers in the Jarnslän and see themselves as the club of the city of Jarnstad. Because of the state's support for the railways, they are a strong team, and were the first union team to win the SFS, and are often derided by Metall fans as a state team in denial.
Tactics: Madison Bilboa, the first Chromatik on the sidelines of the SFS, turned Lok a bit more offensive, and it worked a charm. They still play with a low midfield of two holding players, but the way Adrian Klaebo is employed as a distributing, creative player is almost a blueprint of the Savojar national team. Up front, Bogdan Rawic is the clear focus of the side, but all four offensive players can score and look to press hard, rotate fast, and be an unpredictable dangerous side to send needles into the flesh of their opponents.
Key Players: Adrian Klaebo is the player around whom this side is built, a smart and skilled playmaker from the back. With Anna Guweddeko, sister of ESK striker Eddie Guweddeko, he has a solid support next to him to carry balls he cannot send long. Up front, Finn Östberg on the left side has added versatility and stability, although Bogdan Rawic’s threat potential in the centre remains the primary way in which Lok score. At the back, Knasmuller holds the line and is supported by an experienced defence anchored by Tristana Palsdottir; alongside her, the centre-back positions are expected to rotate. Florian Franz is the element that keeps the whole thing together, filling the role of a utility playmaker perfectly and appearing wherever he is needed. The biggest question mark is on the right side, where Natalja Levin and Oleg Trikhichev will battle to replace retired former captain Ivan Grivoshenko.
Expectations: With few changes to their roster, Lok are slated to land in the IFCF spots again, continuing their impressive run. However, against an improving CASK and a consistently strong top two, anything approaching the Champions League would be a surprise for the Jarnstaders. The goal is probably somewhere between third and fifth, and a good IFCF campaign.

Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Jarnsvägen (capacity: 53’800)
Manager: Madison Bilboa (68, CMT)
Expected formation: 4-2-3-1
Transfers incoming: Natalja Levin (RM, AFK Savojagrad, 3.3), Robin Axelsson (LM, Framfarir Kjefla, 2) | outgoing: Ivan Grivoshenko (RM, retirement), Roy Coyner (CB/NPH, retirement)

SK Cuprum Grennvik (4.)

Origin and identity: SK Cuprum are the sole team from the town of Grennvik, a relatively small mining town on the island of Ejana. The third-biggest town on the island, they are the number three in hockey and handball behind the behemoth that is Storevik and Kjefla, who have one strong team in each. In football, however, SK Cuprum are solidly the third-best Ejanan team. This side is usually physical, aggressive, and workmanlike at heart.
Tactics: Still led by their old coach Sigurdur Hafnason, this is a side that is defensively stable and counters fast, often looking for long balls to speed up the transition. However, compared to their last SFS A stint, they have gotten somewhat bolder, perhaps strenghtened by the appearance of a genuine playmaker; this results in shorter, but still very direct play. In defence, they are likely to be physical and no-nonsense, although typically maintaining fair play; wingbacks may overlap on counters but are also quick to fall back if needed.
Key Players: Cuprum’s most spectacular player in left winger Leda Fjodorov will do her best to put a mark on the team’s play with her relentless drive forward and a technical talent that could dazzle many defenders in the last two surprise seasons. On the right side, Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen has come in to support her with even more technical firepower. With Saevar Fyrbriggsson gone, the Grennvikers had to look for an alternative, and they found both Teemu Jeraväinen and Chromatik talent Xena Allison. Kenneth Röysveit is the most interesting man of this side: The son of a Nepharan mother and Savojar father combines brutal physicality with surprising ability to build up from the back and captained Högvald’s “Blue” squad before breaking out last season on Cuprum’s side. He will likely be paired with either Varanen or Mejveldt in central defence; behind them, Kostja Pavarenko played well enough to be promoted to the Northlights last season.
Expectations: Cuprum’s team has been proven to be strong: From the B, they went to a surprising upper midfield finish, and then with minimal adjustments, they managed to reach the fourth place and the Challengers Cup. With the team jumbled up a bit, that is not expected to repeat itself - but a midfield table finish is possible again, with the core of the side still intact.

Stadium: Cuprum Arena Football (capacity: 14’700)
Manager: Sigurdur Hafnason (49)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen (RF, Energie Thorsborg, 2.8), Sara Varanen (CB, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 1.5), Teemu Jeraväinen (ST, CASK Thorsborg, 1.4), Loki Mattason (DM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1.25), Xena Allison (ST/CMT, Chromatik Central High School/CMT, 0) | Outgoing: Arnar Hrafnarsson (LF, Felswyr/CMT, 4), Saevar Fyrbriggsson (ST, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 2.75), Brynjar Hatun (CB, CASK Thorsborg, 2.25)

Partisan Sjoedrhavn (3.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1936 as a union of four Sjoedrhavn teams and immediately successful, but losing out after the 50s. Short resurgence with 2 titles and a cup in the 90s, and establishing themselves as the weakest Big Four team in the SFS era. Formed as a representative vehicle by Communist elites, Partisan's fans are stereotyped to be bureaucrats from the KPS, although there are also plenty of fans who are drawn to their often spectacular play. They are popular nationally, but not in their town.
Tactics: Relying on two hard-to-break defensive lines, Partisan use a stable core to enable a splendid offence that usually relies on some trickery from the forwards and stunning plays. Uses an aggressive press of their offensive players, although backed up by a solid defensive block that is more withdrawn. Their outlook is overall very balanced, and the combination of a pouncing striker and a more hanging player that aims to link to the midfield.
Key Players: From front to back, this is a team full of power: Lars Alvesen has been promoted to Northlights starter - and transferred out to Nephara for 11 million NSD. As a result, Parti have gone out to invest: Seven million for Nepharan midfielder Chandra Rosziter, and 4.5 million for AFK striker Robin Norderberg. The key players in this team, however, remain old names: Traudl Mrdja on the right wing, Morten Poulsen in offensive midfield, Alyssa Broad and Sven Vikarby in central defence, and Aleksandra Virulainen in goal are long time pillars of Partisan. The issue with this roster is that the key players, aside from Vikarby and the new signings, are all over 30 already - meaning that Partisan are due a rebuild sooner rather than later. In younger positions, centre-backs Jón Arnar Halldorsson and David Sjostakovitsj, offensive midfielder Valtteri Silverberg, and left winger Juha Säteri are interesting prospects, but most unproven at the SFS level.
Expectations: After the transfer ban, Partisan have failed to acquire some of their big targets - 11 million income for one player alone haven’t quite been matched on the other side. That means that Parti most likely have a solid cash reserve in hand - and some issues for this season. If all the veterans stay healthy, contesting for the title is possible; if not, the Challengers Cup is a likely outcome.

Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger (capacity: 42’300)
Manager: Patrik Alexandersson (50)
Expected formation: 4-4-2
Transfers incoming: Chandra Rosziter (CM/NPH, South Laithland/NPH, 7), Robin Norderberg (ST, AFK Savojagrad, 4.5), Jón Arnar Halldorsson (CB, ESK Storevik, 1.8), Juha Säteri (LF, NFA Högvald Bla, 0) | outgoing: Lars Alvesen (ST, Stahlburg City/NPH, 11), Erland Jespersen (CB, Rotor Värstjö, 0.5)

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (2.)

Origin and identity: Founded 1923 to represent the police in the first national league, and gained success after a slow start. Notable for choking the cup, having only won three of eight cup finals. One of two police clubs, they share a rivalry with now relegated Dynamo Novaya Russica. They are emphasising skill and strength in their players, but are said to have mostly bandwagon fans - who haven’t had too much to celebrate recently, as the team has been falling down the ranks recently and ended up known as “the Best of the Rest”, often falling short of the IFCF right behind the Big Five, with two big exceptions two years ago.
Tactics: One of the more offensive teams, they employ heavy pressing with their wingers and forwards. The central midfield plays box to box, using vertical passes. Traditionally they emphasised getting wingers and offensive midfielders close to the goal as well, and finding much success with a hanging striker that links the wings to a pouncer up front. Rely a lot on their second striker and the wingers to create, with no traditional playmaker in the team.
Key Players: Tanith Arrowsmith in goal has given her side a massive push the year she was signed, and led them to a championship in her second season. Chromatik midfielder Alissar Phoen and former Partisan prospect turned Dynamo midfielder Jelena Tretjakov are the dynamic duo that makes this side tick: Tretjakov supported Phoen in creating and shuttling, with the Chromatik leaning more into defence. On offence, Wallace Pickton managed to pick up the consistency, showing he can work in this Dynamo side; Quebecois hanging striker Mohamed Khedira will attempt to return to Golden Boot form alongside Giovanna Vitale, the never-tiring danger on the right flank. On top, pressure on Khedira has lessened and more players can score the goals for Dynamo; however, with Vladimir Nichajev, Dynamo have lost another striker. The replacement has been the former Cuprum striker Saevar Fyrbriggsson; the question is whether he can perform in his new environment.
Expectations: Second place is a great result to follow up Dynamo’s first championship in a long time, even if it was a good bit off CASK Thorsborg in first place. The men and women from the capital are still in position to contend for the title, but look overall a little weaker than last season. Still, the first team in chase for champions CASK.

Stadium: Stadion Dynamo (capacity: 35’000)
Manager: Seneca Matthews (60/NPH)
Expected formation: 4-4-2 hanging
Transfers incoming: Saevar Fyrbriggsson (ST, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 2.75), Kristian Thelander (CB, Akademien Dynamo, 0) | outgoing: Vladimir Nichajev (ST, AFK Savojagrad, 5.2), Dimitri Ryzhikov (OM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1.7), Sara Varanen (CB, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1.5), Aleksander Teranen (ST, retirement)

CASK Thorsborg (SFS Season 17 Champions)

Origin and identity: Founded 1916 as an Army team, with heated rivalries with the other branches (mainly Admiral). Savojarna's army club profited for decades from conscription laws. This has changed with the formation of the SFS, but CASK's self-image of the confident record champion has not. In recent years, they have transformed themselves into a team relying heavily on good transfers. Regardless of their approach, CASK are beloved within the army, respectfully hated in other state institutions, and loathed by all union team fans.
Tactics: CASK's strength lies in switching quickly. The defensive midfield acts as an anchor, trying to quickly move the ball up to the front. The defence largely stays back. Since the arrival of McDonald, they play a two-top with a diamond in the centre, and often shift back to a flat midfield four when ahead to preserve a lead. The team places an emphasis on playing over the wings, and having a pair of dangerous finishers up front.
Key Players: Jekaterina Smolov is the face of current CASK, focusing more on lurking and opening space next to poacher Medberg Hansen, and she shines in that spot. A bullish, athletic, and nearly 2 metre tall striker who joined the Northlights recently, Medberg Hansen has been a threat up front for the Thorsborgers. On the wing, Kimi Hartikainen drives play and has been a persistent threat alongside Janna Sauthier on the right, who have been in top form for much of last year. Vikborg and Anttakari have finally grown into a defensive duo that matches expectations, and are going to have to be a rock for the young offence of this new, remodelled CASK; with left back Ansgar Klaey, they have a player whose versatility and calm, unassuming play secured him a Northlights spot recently. Behind the defence, Olga Valujev has proven her worth in the difficult CASK goalkeeper position.
Expectations: Quick development for the young players who have been joining over the last few years has paid off, and last season, CASK didn’t just win a title, but did so with a massive lead over their first challenger as well. This is unlikely to quite repeat itself, but the Thorsborgers are still in the pole position for another title among a trio of top favourites.

Stadium: Stadion General Erik Harden (capacity: 62’000)
Manager: Johnny McDonald (56/SCT)
Expected formation: 4-1-3-2
Transfers incoming: Brynjar Hatun (CB, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 2.25), Johan Larsson (RM, Dynamo Novaja Russica, 1.9), Denis Sjavopalov (ST, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1), Lasse Holtby (MS, CASK Academy, 0) | outgoing: Teemu Jeraväinen (ST, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1.4), Láidná Olasdottir (RF, ASK Landsmark, 1), Rolf Patriksson (CM, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0), Vilhjalmur Ruriksson (ST, Westgreen Park Rangers/CEN, 0)

by **Savojarna** » Tue Nov 22, 2022 11:04 am

SFS A Season 18 - Part 1/4

IFCF Qualifying Rounds
Champions League
Tanques AOE (KOR) 3-3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (2-1, 1-2, 3-2 pen)
Adab United (ADB) 2-2 CASK Thorsborg (1-2, 1-0, 1-3 pen)
CASK Thorsborg 4-2 Megabrantid SC (SRS) (2-1, 2-1)

Challengers Cup
Mieteng City FC (SAT) 2-1 SK Cuprum Grennvik (1-1, 1-0)
Armada Sovran (PYA) 1-3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (1-2, 0-1)
Hiyashi Celestia (EXT) 3-1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn (1-1, 2-0)
AS Bezieres (VLD) 2-7 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (1-3, 1-4)
SC Jiangdong (YZH) 2-3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (1-1, 1-2)

Savojarna’s teams are struggling on the international stage. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn are taking the first possible out from the Champions League after a late goal against Ko-orenite side Tanques at least takes them into a cagey, defensive overtime, but it’s heartbreak in penalties for the red and white as Phoen and Saevar Fyrbriggsson miss and Tretjakov sees her attempt saved. At least the Sjoedrhaveners can make amends in the Challengers Cup, with the highlight a complete demontage of AS Bezieres with an aggregate score of 2-7, thanks to a clinical Mohamed Khedira in the first leg and a magistral performance of Tretjakov in the return leg. Against SC Jiangdong, Saevar scores twice in the return leg for the victory that sends Dynamo into the group stage. SK Cuprum and Partisan Sjoedrhavn both try seriously, but fail to progress past their first stage thanks to a lack of scoring; only one goal each across two games is not enough for the international stage. CASK are the only shimmer of hope, beating Adab United on penalties thanks to two saves from Valujev and a miss and Megabrantid SC on two calm, collected performances.

Matchday 1
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 2–3 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Elektron Harkka 2–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Libertas Bergheim 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Energie Thorsborg 2–0 ASK Landsmark

CASK Thorsborg show no signs of weakness as they open the season against last season’s second placed Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. It only takes fifteen minutes for them to almost score the go-ahead goal as Kimi Hartikainen makes everyone believe he is looking for a cross to the centre, only to drop the ball back to Arnar Jonsson, completely forgotten by everyone - except that then, Arnar sends it high over the bar. Eight minutes later, he does a lot better, twirling in a free kick from 34 metres right onto the head of Medberg Hansen, who deflects it unstoppably for Tanith Arrowsmith. In the first half, Dynamo struggle to get much done offensively as Hatun and Ilikin play a convincing game; the only serious attempt by Saevar Fyrbriggsson is saved by Valujev. In the second half, things look better for the first twenty minutes, but Khedira misses two good chances and Tretjakov is denied by Valujev, before CASK turn the tide again with their second goal on a counter. Urho Tuomela beats the far advanced Rokowic in a sprint and gets a long ball from Ilikin; in the middle, Smolov runs along and beats Valujev from close range. Dynamo cannot overcome this deficit, closing the game out in favour of the defending champions.

Elsewhere, eyes are set on RLSK Pawlograd. Following their one year detour in the B, they are back in the top division, having come second behind FK Sjoedrhavn in the second tier. And they get to celebrate their return with a derby against Torpedo, who have eyes on them thanks to their spectacular signing of Nepharan offensive player Zander Cadell. The latter hasn’t quite arrived to the SFS yet, looking mostly like a foreign object in Torpedo’s play for 67 minutes before being replaced by veteran Kjetil Borkerud; he briefly shows talent in beating Oleg Barkov in a spectacular 1v1 and finding at least a few good crosses. Dmitri Ryzhikov, on the other hand, slots in perfectly, assisting both goals that Torpedo score and arranging their victory over rivals RLSK. The other promotees, FK Sjoedrhavn, surprise against SK Cuprum as their goalkeeper Jostein Helmsgaard puts on a superstar performance, stopping 13 shots on goal, and Mortensen and Mijatov set them ahead on counters. In injury time, they even add some insult as playmaker Frida Valdström makes a late run and is brought down; the resulting penalty is converted by veteran Rolf Patriksson for a remarkable 3-0 victory in their first game back in the A.

Matchday 2
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Admiral Storevik
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 Elektron Harkka
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–1 ESK Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 ASK Landsmark

Partisan Sjoedrhavn attempt to bounce back from what was a rather disappointing last season, finishing far behind eventual champions CASK, by signing young Nepharan midfielder Chandra Rosziter. She actually plays very well, making this side tick with a lot of running and clever buildup, but that doesn’t hide the fact that Robin Norderberg just isn’t as good as Lars Alvesen. Lacking that scoring ability means that 68% possession and 17-6 attempts (although only 6-4 on goal!) result in a draw to DNR, who score off a corner in the second half and nurse that draw to the end. Another 1-1 draw occurs between Savojars Vinge Virkaja and Elektron Harkka, as last season’s surprise team is somewhat brought back to normal. A clash between a 3-4-3 and a 4-3-3, both of them with lots of creativity, it is a highly entertaining 1-1 with a lot of shots on both sides, but between SVV just failing to hit the target, and Tristan Vilhjalmursson playing a spectacular game, no winner can be found. At least Elektron’s equaliser is an absolute beauty, with new signing Elina Dragunov beating Anna Virttamäki in the 1v1, taking aim and slotting the ball into the farside corner spectacularly. Finally, CASK face ASK in a derby that never gets going outside the usually spectacular fan choreos. Twenty minutes in, Arnar has scored a shot from the edge of the box underneath the crossbar and Janna Sauthier taps in a long cross from Klaey to set the score to 2-0; with the defence being as impeccable as in the first game, CASK are off to a flying start made only better by joker Denis Sjavopalov adding a third in the final 15 minutes.

Matchday 3
ESK Storevik 1–4 CASK Thorsborg
Elektron Harkka 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Energie Thorsborg 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 0–1 AFK Savojagrad

On a slow day as far as goals are concerned, Partisan are stunned away at Cuprum. Despite driving play for 76 minutes and just lacking the goal, in the 77th, they are caught flat footed as a somewhat exhausted looking Morten Poulsen sees a pass towards him snatched away by Eyjolfur, who sends down captain Leda Fjodorov, and in the middle, Lundvik reaches it ahead of Vikarby and punches it past Virulainen despite the Parti keeper touching the ball with her arm. Immediately, all the spirit seems to leave Parti, resulting in a flat final fifteen minutes. Over in Thorsborg, Energie score only one goal too, but it’s a beauty as the midfield five are managing to string together seven direct passes that end with Erling Winther setting up new striker Martin Ekveit for a tap-in to secure the goal with the eighth pass. Finally, Admiral are struggling with AFK Savojagrad. The Big Five side that looks the weakest in the beginning of the season just can’t find their footing in this game, whereas Larsson locks down the AFK midfield and on the wing, in his first SFS A game as a starter, Boris Kajanov makes Nicolas Dubois look silly. He almost registers his first goal too, but Branislaw Mucic has something against it, stopping a good shot to the far corner with a spectacular jump. In the second half, AFK still seal things as Bar splits past Witchstone and Berger for a brilliant chip over the back line that Kovalenko converts to the 1-0.

Matchday 4
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 ASK Landsmark
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 Energie Thorsborg
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–2 Libertas Bergheim
AFK Savojagrad 0–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
ESK Storevik 2–0 Elektron Harkka
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Admiral Storevik

FK Sjoedrhavn have been making a splash so far, winning two out of three games and scoring six goals with their modern, attractive 3-4-1-2. Against Libertas Bergheim, another spectacular offensive team that hasn’t quite found its stride yet, they go ahead ten minutes in after a nice combination between Lindberg, Aalgren and Mortensen, and a long cross of the latter that Mijatov taps in at the second post. However, thanks to Wen and Arkanin being skilled enough to weave through the tight FKS midfield and Trout punching into a gap behind Mortensen, Libertas manage to turn around 2-1 by halftime. In the second half, FKS move up confidently, and despite Asbeck’s attempt to shore up her defence, joker Knudsen scores from nine metres after a ball rebounds from Jordén’s thigh unluckily. FK Torpedo Pawlograd have also had a flaming start, losing only one game so far. They, led by new signing Zander Cadell, drive back AFK Savojagrad ruthlessly and profit from Tabur and Kenna-Tang finally playing to their real potential, isolating the destructive power of Sabine Bar and circumventing the defensive presence of Lars Larsson. As a result, Cadell, Serebrjakov and Ryzhikov score in a clean 3-0 victory, supported by a few strong saves from Sharin. In the game of the week, Parti meet Admiral at home - and struggle. Admiral sit back tightly and don’t give up much, and with Witchstone and Berger covering Rosziter and Poulsen almost man-to-man every time they move past the center line, there is little Parti can do to pull up their oppressive system. Traudl Mrdja tries to get some crosses in, but with no striker of Alvesen’s calibre there anymore, the game ends scoreless.

Matchday 5
Elektron Harkka 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 ESK Storevik
Admiral Storevik 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 3–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 5–0 AFK Savojagrad
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

CASK Thorsborg continue to rampage through the SFS A, holding back for an hour against Elektron Harkka (although never getting into any danger of conceding) before Hartikainen and Arnar Jonsson play a combination through the centre that ends with the playmaker sending Smolov deep, who plays a sideways pass that Medberg Hansen taps in. From here, Elektron have to open up, and on a counter, Sauthier seals the game. Libertas, having stumbled over FKS, finally open up their knot and stop playing stubbornly through the centre, instead overloading their strong right side with Strid and Sandoval. The duo gives a combined three assists to set up a deluge of goals against AFK Savojagrad, profiting from the fact that AFK leftback Lyn Townsend is injured in the first half; with the defence struggling with the speed of the duo and the help Wen and Vithoulkas provide, there is little to do for goalkeeper Erland Lerum, who concedes five. In the match of the week, last season’s fourth placed SK Cuprum face vice champions Dynamo. Cuprum start out well, with Fjodorov curling a free kick into the top left corner; however, their 4-4-2 is broken down by Jelena Tretjakov’s precise passing and the sheer speed of Mohamed Khedira, who breaks through on the right side in the second half and swaps places with Giovanna Vitale. Dropping the ball back to the winger, he offers her an open shot at the goal that the Savigliane player converts.

Savojarsk Cup: Preliminary Round
Virovsk St. Andrei 1–2 Högvald FK
FK Freya Grennvik 3–0 Hallsberga Vikingur
Jon Palsson IF Ljörvik 0–8 Victoria Haukkala
FK Vestermalm Thorsborg 0–0 Imperial Storevik (1–0 AET)
SK Ullström 0–0 SFK Barjovo (1–0 AET)
Aurum Kjefla 0–2 FF Parken Sjoedrhavn
RFK Storevik 0–0 Norderhaven Drakken (1–0 AET)
Bjurman Mävle 1–0 Juventus Bergheim
Virkaja 1914 FK 2–4 Ostemkin Revolution
Birga IF 1–1 Thor Sejersheim (2–1 AET)
Grigori Kartjov FK St. Pjotr 0–0 SK Marjanoli (0–0 AET) (1–4 pen.)
Nord-Sjoedrhavn FF 0–0 International Johnsberg (0–1 AET)

Matchday 6
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–0 ASK Landsmark
AFK Savojagrad 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Elektron Harkka 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–1 Admiral Storevik

Savojars Vinge Virkaja have managed to find their stride in midfield, being perfectly balanced at two wins and losses each (and one draw). Hosting another rising team in FK Torpedo Pawlograd, who stormed out of the gate with 4 wins and 1 loss, SVV take a beating in the first ten minutes, but Tristan holds his goal mouth clear - allowing for a strike back 13 minutes in as Voynov nearly scores but hits the inside post. 20 minutes later, it’s not him but Ysabet Belgrade who finds a shot through the hands of Sharin, profiting from a goalkeeper mistake. In the second half, Torpedo score the equaliser, but get it disallowed as Rotan was offside; on the other end, Paasio plays a long free kick that joker Bjergsen prolongs it with a header to set a 2-0 final score. In Storevik, the duel between ESK and Cuprum does end scoreless, but it also ends in drama as following 86 eventless minutes, Ignas Varauskas chips a ball over the defence of Cuprum; Guweddeko takes the ball and falls - but no penalty is called; Cuprum counter, and Fjodorov crosses in long for Allison to tap in. But then, the video referee calls in and suggests a check on Guweddeko’s duel with Röysveit, and the referee sees contact between the defenders’ foot and Guweddeko’s calf - penalty for ESK. Captain Sölva Ylsdottir sets the ball, takes aim… and is denied by Pavarenko, as she aims to the left side but does not place the ball accurately enough. Finally, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn are somewhat lagging behind, but Admiral provide some welcome assistance as the Storevikers are attacking naively into Dynamo’s well-oiled central midfield. Phoen and Pickton get a goal each in the first half, and with 26 minutes to go, Tretjakov sees her shot be blocked by Oakes, but Khedira reacts first and scores from short range. Archer’s 3-1 does little to change the result of the game.

Matchday 7
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Elektron Harkka
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Energie Thorsborg 1–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–0 AFK Savojagrad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
RLSK Pawlograd 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 2–0 ESK Storevik

FK Torpedo had a splendid start to the season, but now have to pick themselves up after a painful loss to Savojars Vinge - and they have to do it against Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, who are starting to ramp up after a slow start. The vice champions are going to start out slow but solid, neutralising their opposition for fifteen minutes before Pickton draws inwards, Paranov makes a deep run, and his cross to the edge of the box finds Jelena Tretjakov for the 0-1. Zander Cadell puts in lots of work to make Torpedo work, but Wladmir Rokowic shuts down the Nepharan, and on the other side Saevar steps in to intercept a sloppy pass from Tuomioja and scores the second goal. A second half goal by Lise Stromberg coming off the bench sets the score to 3-0. Partisan struggle, being stuck on 15th with no wins, but four draws in six games. And today, they add another draw to an energetic Energie Thorsborg - despite the team’s quality being high enough to score a second half equaliser, the Partisans look almost bored, and they are being held back by that. Energie, on the other hand, are pushing forward hard, combining through the centre, and finishing off cleanly with Victoria Borgen. Finally, in the Storevik Derby, ESK and Admiral meet on even points and start out with a dynamic play from ESK, with Kuznetsov and Guweddeko both missing good chances narrowly. On the other end, Kopperberg manages to block off a dangerous free kick by Virttu, but Rysti Erkalainen reacts first, punching the ball over the line for a halftime lead for Admiral. In the second half, ESK have to open, but they find no result as Branislaw Mucic, together with multiple missed shots by Eirikur Sigurds, deny them a goal; on the other end, Archer is the ever cold poacher fending off Trondeveig’s challenge and scoring the 2-0.

Savojarsk Cup: First Main Round

The usual massive first cup round provides a limited amount of drama, but there is some. Drawing the most attention in advance, there is the duel of Savojars Vinge Virkaja and ESK Storevik, two midfield SFS A teams of the type that often tends to be dangerous in the Cup - but it’s already over for Virkaja, who play without a resting Krister Voynov, as they lose 2-1 to ESK after leading for much of the game, but conceding a double strike by Kuznetsov right towards the end of the game. Navigator Jaromirgrad have been in the SFS A for a brief visit not that long ago, but enough of that team has gone that it is a shock when 19 year old winger Grigori Semjonov dances around Antonov, crosses in, and sees 22 year old striker Pavel Nejdin jump higher than Pohjanainen and beat CASK’s U-21 keeper Ingmar Valk. Nejdin gets a second from the spot, and on a counter, Anders Fjellberg sinks CASK entirely. For a few hours, the nation laughs, but then, Partisan manage to be defeated 3-1 by a team not with SFS A experience, but by RFK Storevik, an amateur side from the Regional Division that needed extra time to even beat fellow amateurs from Norderhaven Drakken. But a lazy day out with many regular players resting, and a bumpy pitch that sees the Sjoedrhaveners struggle, and a red card against Sjostakovitsj, resulting in a poor tackling, leads to disaster. More teams stumble over SFS B teams, a justifiable but frustrating result for the losers; plucky third-tier midfielders Industrie Hovikkära also almost upset Lok Jarnstad but run out of energy in extra time and lose 0-3. No weaknesses at all can be spotted in Torpedo: With almost the entirety of their team playing, they blast eight goals past poor International Johnsberg and qualify in style.

Matchday 8
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–2 RLSK Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–2 Libertas Bergheim
ESK Storevik 2–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Elektron Harkka 1–1 Admiral Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–2 Energie Thorsborg

Eight matches into the season, Partisan Sjoedrhavn finally celebrate their first victory of the season. Unlike many of their early season draws, Parti are not actually the dominating team in this one, but in the last twenty minutes, an ASK Landsmark that previously have completely neutralised their opponents start taking off too much pressure. This allows Chandra Rosziter to build up the game from the centre; the Nepharan finds Nygaard on the left, Bjarnfinnr overlaps and crosses inwards, and Sveinn Arnason scores the winner. A day later, across the city, Libertas put up a show against Libertas Bergheim, but can’t decisively pull away despite an Andrea Vithoulkas double strike as the Nepharan striker’s two goals are split by a questionable penalty decision. Nobody doubts Tretjakov was fouled, but the action happens right at the edge of the box; the referee decides on a penalty, and Mohamed Khedira converts. Only Tanith Arrowsmith keeps Dynamo in the game for the second half, until ten minutes before the end, Libertas start running out of gas, and somewhere, somehow, Teemu Routsiainen equalises with a massive shot from the midfield that Trischuk can’t stop. On Sunday night, it’s time for a banger of a game: Energie Thorsborg come to Virkaja trying to overwhelm another fluid, offensive side in SVV. And the visitors do get the better start as Borgen finishes a spectacular combo, but a poor pass from captain Olberg is intercepted by a pressing Markus Packard-Grey, who scores the equaliser - and eight minutes later sets up Ysabet Belgrade for the 2-1 at half time. After the break, Energie press, but they run into a counter that Sakkarinen just about can’t finish; on the following corner, Miatanen heads in a cross to seemingly finish the deal. In the end, Energie manage to close down the score to 3-2, but don’t find the equaliser.

Matchday 9
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–0 CASK Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–1 Elektron Harkka
Libertas Bergheim 0–1 ESK Storevik
Energie Thorsborg 0–8 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 2–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
RLSK Pawlograd 0–2 AFK Savojagrad
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

SK Cuprum Grennvik host a CASK Thorsborg that has had a perfect season in the SFS so far. With that record, the defending champions are the big favourites - but it’s not enough to overcome a tenacious Cuprum. With Medberg Hansen rested after a muscular issue, his replacement Sjavopalov can’t quite manage to punch past Cuprum’s defence; the big man himself can’t make the difference in the second half either, as Kenneth Röysveit plays a game like a man possessed. On the other end, in the second half, first Jeraväinen and then Santala strike for the 2-0 victory for the underdogs. The other Thorsborg side collapse spectacularly at home. Faced with the suspension of Baard Andersen and an early red card against Mah Huang, and with Sandbeck having a terrible game, they can hold an unleashed Dynamo to a 0-3 after 70 minutes, but then, all power is gone from Energie. Svensson makes a mistake to set the score to 0-4, then Grokov can’t stop Pickton for the 0-5, Andreassen clumsily concedes a penalty and his second yellow for the 0-6, and in the end, nine Thorsborgers have to congratulate eleven Dynamo players to a devastating win. Finally, the unassuming but consistent Lok Jarnstad side sitting currently in second place receive struggling giant Partisan Sjoedrhavn. Once more, the Lok side defends competently and makes some dangerous but very collected attempts at attacking; the best chance in the first half comes when Östberg heads a cross by Chiswick back towards Franz, but the Teus midfielder sends it over the crossbar. In the second half, Rosziter almost scores from nineteen metres, but Knasmuller stops his compatriots’ shot; seven minutes later, another Nepharan creates danger as Traudl Mrdja is being shouldered off the ball by Nilsson and goes down. The following free kick is twisted in towards the towering Jon Arnar Halldorsson, who heads it in for the sole goal of the game.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg               9    8   0   1    15    3  +12    24
 2 Lokomotive Jarnstad          9    5   2   2     8    5   +3    17
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn            9    4   4   1    21    8  +13    16
 4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd         9    5   1   3    14   12   +2    16
 5 Dynamo Novaya Russica        9    4   3   2     6    4   +2    15
 6 Savojars Vinge Virkaja       9    4   2   3    12   11   +1    14
 7 AFK Savojagrad               9    4   2   3     7   10   −3    14
 8 Libertas Bergheim            9    3   3   3    11    7   +4    12
 9 FK Sjoedrhavn                9    3   3   3     9    8   +1    12
10 SK Cuprum Grennvik           9    3   3   3     5    6   −1    12
11 Energie Thorsborg            9    3   3   3    10   16   −6    12
12 Admiral Storevik             9    3   2   4     8    8    0    11
13 Partisan Sjoedrhavn          9    2   5   2     7    8   −1    11
14 ESK Storevik                 9    3   2   4    10   14   −4    11
15 RLSK Pawlograd               9    3   1   5     5    7   −2    10
16 ASK Landsmark                9    1   3   5     3   10   −7     6
17 Elektron Harkka              9    0   4   5     5   12   −7     4
18 FK Metall Jarnstad           9    1   1   7     1    8   −7     4

by **Savojarna** » Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:34 pm

SFS A Season 18 - Part 2/4

Matchday 10
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 ASK Landsmark
ESK Storevik 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
Elektron Harkka 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–1 Admiral Storevik

Savojars Vinge Virkaja are finally somewhat clicking this season, finding success against lower-rated sides and placing themselves in sixth, towards the back end of the pack that is trying (not so successfully) to chase CASK Thorsborg. Today, they face another one of those teams in Lok Jarnstad, but it takes the better end for Lok in a battle of attrition. In a hard-fought game with a total of eleven cards (two of them second yellows, one for each side) Lok’s scrappier qualities win out, and goals by Rawic in the 81st and Levin in the 86th minute decide the game for the Jarnstaders. Somewhat further down the table, ESK Storevik meet Energie Thorsborg in a close match that waves back and forth. Eirikur Sigurds poaches the first goal from close range, but is offside; ten minutes later, Borgen taps in a pass back by Grokov. Before the end of the first half, Nöysten hits the crossbar; right after the break, Lipa Kuznetsov takes a ball past Huang and scores. Ulf Svensson then makes a terrible mistake, completely misjudging Magnusson’s cross and sailing through his box past it, allowing a free tap-in for Reksi Halanen. But the lead doesn’t hold to the end as Nepriajev makes shoulder contact with Ingvildsen in the box; Baard Andersen steps up to convert the penalty. Up North, there is a changing of the guard as an old Admiral Storevik side is crashing wave after wave on the rocks that are SK Cuprum. Tryphon Archer is frustrated by Nepharan-rooted Kenneth Röysveit, who allegedly decked the Admiral striker with “choice insults that can only come out of our great homeland and elbow strikes that prove he’s really one of us”, a visibly annoyed Archer states after his side’s 2-1 loss, courtesy of a second half decider scored by the head of Eyjolfur after a corner.

Champions League Group Stage
CASK Thorsborg 2-1 Shearwater (KSK)
Jinja City FC (BNJ) 1-2 CASK Thorsborg
Wirr Tsi (CMT) 1-1 CASK Thorsborg
Challengers Cup Group Stage
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2-0 FC Capri (VAL)
FC Asurblau Afoln (TJL) 0-0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
FC Yassaca (SRS) 0-3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Associations Trophy Group Stage
Bearden (XAN) 3-1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0-2 New Lakeland Soccer Club (CDG)
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 6-0 Kota Jembal FC (SHT)

The Savojar teams have a mixed bag at halfway point in the IFCF competitions. One in each competition, the fates range from “smooth sailing” in the Challengers, to “tight but on track” in the CL, to “sheer panic” in the AT. First up, Dynamo are smoothly sailing through the Challengers Cup on the back of a fantastic Tanith Arrowsmith, not conceding a single goal through the first games despite two away games. The other main figure is the whirling Wallace Pickton, who is involved in both games against Capri and scores another goal against Yassaca. CASK have a tough group with teams from three strong leagues; as a result, games are tight, but work out for CASK. At home, they beat Shearwater in a controlled manner before going onto an adventure in Jinja City, scoring late on a counter to secure a win. With two 2-1 victories in their back, the Thorsborgers travel to Chromatika to face Wirr Tsi and leave with a draw, their goal being a first half header from Medberg Hansen off a long free kick. Finally, Partisan get heavily frustrated by Xanneria’s Bearden, being countered out and held at bay despite a strong showing; in the second game, New Lakeland do not allow much and finish clinically to get a 2-0 away win. In the third game, with their backs against the wall, Partisan make up by shooting away their frustration: Six goals get past Kota Jembal FC, Traudl Mrdja and Ola Lapanen both get two goals each, and Poulsen and Kronberg net one each to celebrate a highly needed victory.

Matchday 11
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Libertas Bergheim 2–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Energie Thorsborg 3–0 Elektron Harkka
ASK Landsmark 0–1 ESK Storevik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
RLSK Pawlograd 2–3 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Admiral Storevik 0–2 CASK Thorsborg

Lokomotive Jarnstad against Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. North against South. And most importantly, third versus second in the standings. Dynamo are getting the better start, as Saevar gets in front of Knasmuller alone but shoots right at the Lok keeper and Alissar Phoen takes aim from twenty-two metres but hits it wide. Pressure remains high for much of the first half, but then, 37 minutes in, Tretjakov’s last through ball that could have set up Khedira is intercepted by Tristana Palsdottir; Klaebo sends it long to Östberg, who heads it back down for Florian Franz; the Teus midfielder brushes off the challenge from Charlotte Pala and plays sideways for Rawic to smash it past Tanith Arrowsmith. With the lead on their side, Lok hunker down; it remains the only goal in a game where Dynamo outshoot their opposition 13-6. RLSK Pawlograd rock the boat against Savojars Vinge, taking the lead only five minutes in as an overlapping Victoria Liljeström crosses inwards; Ludvigsson’s header is blocked, but Uljakov takes the rebound to score from ten metres. Krister Voynov and MPG, however, have something against this development and revert score before half time with some high-quality dribbling from the veteran and the star of this side. Then, lull. For half an hour, the game is boring, but then, out of nowhere, Anastasia Mjosov takes aim from twenty-five, maybe thirty metres and nails the ball directly under the crossbar. Unfortunately for her, the absolute antithesis of her goal happens: A scrappy mess, a flurry of legs, and from nowhere, the ball lands on the left foot of Ysabet Belgrade, who can’t miss from five metres to give SVV a win. Finally, the Army-Navy-Derby happens in Storevik, and with the CASK side seven points clear of the competition, it’s not the biggest one of the past. Especially not when it takes only seven minutes for Smolov to send a post-shattering shot against the Admiral aluminium, and thirteen for Medberg Hansen to be unfettered by Dmitriev’s shoulder charge and score the 0-1. A dirty, tough fight develops, but one from which CASK emerge victorious without ever being threatened.

Savojarsk Cup: Second Main Round
Bjurman Mävle 1–1 RFK Storevik (1–1 AET) (1–3 pen.)
Trollsheim Jarnsmän 1–4 Jarov Jarovsk
Birga IF 0–1 Mir Nestrovo
Nemstvo SK 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Sporting Järvonen 0–3 RAS St. Andrei
FF Parken Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Admiral Storevik
ASK Landsmark 3–2 ESK Storevik
Zenit Jegrava 1–0 Traktor St. Andrei
SK Marjanoli 0–1 Motor Johansborg
Tapparainen FK 0–4 FK Sjoedrhavn
FK Odin Kjaershavn 0–0 Union Roopere (0–0 AET) (3–2 pen.)
Navigator Jaromirgrad 0–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Rotor Värstjö 0–6 Libertas Bergheim
EU Storevik 1–0 Framfarir Kjefla
Norrhavn FK 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

The duels between the SFS A clubs are spicy this round, even if there are few: ASK Landsmark and ESK Storevik engage in a massive slugfest, with both sides waving back and forth. ESK’s Lipa Kuznetsov shows a beautiful, beautiful cross to Lajunen, who lays back to youth prospect Freya Jotansdottir for the 1-0. ASK then strike back, taking the lead in the first half still; then, six minutes into the second half, Paddi Gren extends it to 3-1. ESK unleash their whole arsenal, having three strikers on the pitch for much of the second half, but a tap-in from Guweddeko is all they can get as ASK Landsmark make it to octofinals. AFK Savojagrad use a lot of luck to qualify: Seven minutes in, Lise Stromberg makes a deep run and gets sent on by Polve, but has her goal disallowed for offside, a decision that holds in the review. Then, forty minutes into the match, there is contact between Hjort and Mastronenko, and the referee gives a penalty that is converted by Sabine Bar. It is tight, it remains tight, and Khedira proceeds to hit the crossbar, but AFK hold the lead. The other SFS A teams hit lower league teams and smoothly sail through, with Lok Jarnstad shivering the most before they score in injury time against Norrhavn FK. RFK Storevik, the regional division side that beat Partisan in the first round, are pit against fellow amateurs Bjurman Mävle, and they struggle hard. Semjon Gotskorij scores sixteen minutes in, but within minutes, Mävle equalise, and both Gotskorij and his fellow striker Lubika miss multiple chances. But with RFK keeper Timofei Saskarov, who has a long SFS B career in his CV, saving two attempts and one going wide, they win in the shootout, becoming a rare third round guest from the regional divisions. FK Odin Kjaershavn also dramatically go to penalties, having had a late goal in the extra time disallowed as scorer Jotan Eythorsson had been deemed to have fouled Union defender Valtteri Kivistö in the process. Once there, however, it appears to have been too much of a roller coaster for Union: Despite Reijonen saving the first penalty, Kaisa Jurtanen, Felix Bäckström and Seb Braaten all miss, leading to Odin winning in penalties.

Matchday 12
CASK Thorsborg 9–3 AFK Savojagrad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3–4 FK Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–0 RLSK Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Elektron Harkka 2–2 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Energie Thorsborg
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
Admiral Storevik 2–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

In a week with two rivalry matchups, the most attention goes to the duel between CASK Thorsborg and AFK Savojagrad. AFK take only seven minutes to stun the leaders as Sabine Bar twirls a ball into the top left from twenty-two metres, but then, CASK switch on to revert the score to 3-1 at half time. Still, AFK cling on and play good football, resulting in Kovalenko to keep the ball against two and beat Valujev right after play resumes. However, everything falls apart in the final half hour: At the result of 4-2, first, AFK open up, resulting in a counter that Hartikainen finishes with the 5-2; then, a long ball ends with Smolov being faster than centre-back Jaromir Povchuk, but Lerum charges out, trying to clear the long ball before the storming Smolov, but failing and taking out the striker. Red for the keeper, and with no more subs, that means that the keeper is now called Lars Larsson and is a defensive midfielder. In the end, nine goals will stand for CASK. Nothing can quite compete with this drama, but a derby victory for FK Sjoedrhavn in the final twenty minutes against a previously controlling Partisan comes close. Following a scrappy and messy first half, Parti finally lead 3-2 after a Robin Norderberg rebound goal. However, after both Rosziter and Poulsen are subbed off to shift to fresher and more defensive legs, Parti lose all control, and with eleven minutes to go, 36 year old centre-back Trent Ullqvist rises up after a corner and knocks a ball on towards the outstretched leg of Forsberg, who scores the equaliser. With three minutes to go, Broad is a little short on a lunge towards a pass; Trine Mortensen overlaps behind Knudsen and passes to the centre, and Irina Mijatov taps it in for a surprising victory.

Matchday 13
Libertas Bergheim 0–1 Admiral Storevik
Energie Thorsborg 1–4 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ASK Landsmark 2–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Elektron Harkka
RLSK Pawlograd 1–2 ESK Storevik
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–0 CASK Thorsborg

People still try to claim that SK Cuprum are not actually good, but with the Grennvikers placed in the IFCF spots again, it seems like Sigurdur Hafnason is onto something. His tight 4-4-2 is challenged by Energie Thorsborgs wild flurry of attacks, but the midfield four from Energie are getting stuck time after time in the defence of Cuprum. Kenneth Röysveit in particular is blocking off Borgen like there is no tomorrow, and Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen’s counters are deadly. LP17 both scores a goal and sets up the fast Ansgar Lundvik twice, and finally, Leda Fjodorov finds poacher Jeraväinen for the last goal in a 4-1 away victory. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn struggle against FK Metall despite an early goal by Vitale, but then, two defensive mistakes lead first to Pedersen being alone in front of Arrowsmith and then Pala committing a clumsy challenge that results in Lovisa Mortensson scoring from the spot. Dynamo throw themselves at what is soon a tight 5-4-1, with Kanarin replaced by centre-back Oshchenko, but they find the openings they need: Wallace Pickton’s individual class forces open a path, and a late header by Saevar Fyrbriggsson brings Dynamo the win. Over in Pawlograd, FK Torpedo meet CASK, and for once, their intense pressing game comes together. Aleksi Matiainen’s frantic front four floatds around the pitch holding back CASK’s defence, and Tabur and Kenna-Tang are targeting their opposition’s weakness, the single playmaker - up front, Cadell and Ryzhikov make the goals for CASK Thorsborg’s second victory.

Matchday 14
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Elektron Harkka 1–2 RLSK Pawlograd
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 ASK Landsmark
Admiral Storevik 4–1 Energie Thorsborg
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 Libertas Bergheim
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Dynamo vs. FKS may be the most heated of the three professional Sjoedrhavn derbies, and it’s a bitter affair both on and off the pitch. The teams are separated by walking distance in Northeastern Savojarna, and the stadium is packed - and roaring with cheers as Paranov brings out an earth-shattering tackle onto Trine Mortensen. The visitor section gives it back later as Larsen snatches away the ball from Alissar Phoen and knees him in the thigh in the process, leading to first scuffles. There’s also some football played amidst the heat: Jelena Tretjakov makes a late run after a pass up to Khedira, is fed back the ball and scores from seventeen metres. Fittingly, the second goal comes from a penalty; Ullqvist is too slow and shoulders away Saevar, and Khedira gets the goal. Torpedo show once more that Martiainen has managed to form some sort of unity in the team, and come back from Dino Racic rising above everyone else at a corner late in the first half. Exploiting the offensive inclinations of Alvin Strid, Zander Cadell runs amok on the left wing and sets up an easy tap-in for Ilja Serebrjakov. Finally, CASK absolutely stand a level above Partisan in what used to be a tight rivalry. It’s not even that Partisan play poorly: Mrdja has a great chance but is denied by Valujev early on, and twenty minutes in, Poulsen hits the crossbar; however, shortly after this, Hartikainen escapes Boissonault’s watch and finds Medberg Hansen, who finishes coldly. With Partisan opening up, CASK brutally counter: Ilikin tackles Rosziter for a long ball towards Sauthier, who knocks it on to Smolov for the 2-0; the 3-0 is a combination in seven passes that ends with a clinical finish by Arnar.

Matchday 15
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 CASK Thorsborg
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 4–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Elektron Harkka
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–2 ESK Storevik
AFK Savojagrad 0–5 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 1–2 Admiral Storevik

Libertas Bergheim are not usually known for their defensive solidity, but they do have two tactical geniuses on the bench. Lise Asbeck decides to bench Liam Trout for defenceman Grigori Pjatov, running five at the back. Ahead of them, Heidi Jordén is tasked with man-marking Arnar, while the winger Sandoval is pulled inside to play as a right-side central midfielder alongside Arkanin, with Vithoulkas and Wen as a two-top. This makeshift 5-3-2 works as a net that CASK’s counters get trapped in. In the second half, Arkanin pushes forward late to link up with Wen, the overlapping Strid crosses to the centre, and Vithoulkas brushes off the challenge from Pohjanainen to score and deal CASK their third season loss. On Saturday, Partisan Sjoedrhavn proceed to demolish Savojars Vinge and gain much-needed points in their 4-1 victory, including a brace from Sveinn Arnason and a late Traudl Mrdja goal. ASK Landsmark against Admiral Storevik used to be a tight, interesting game; now it’s just a duel of strugglers: Proud Admiral, one of the league’s big names, is on track to miss the IFCF again; ASK are even about to be dragged into the relegation scrap. The teams both struggle with the situation, not easily putting an attack together; the big difference is that Admiral have Tryphon Archer. The Nepharan striker makes a chance out of nothing, punching the ball over the line from close; as a result, ASK need to open up more and throw themselves forward in desperation. Unfortunately for them, that results in Polina Leopold breaking through and finding Virttu at the edge of the box for the 0-2; a late goal by Olasdottir does not revert things.

Savojarsk Cup: Octofinals
EU Storevik 0–1 Admiral Storevik
FK Odin Kjaershavn 0–3 Libertas Bergheim
RAS St. Andrei 0–5 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Mir Nestrovo 2–3 AFK Savojagrad
Jarov Jarovsk 0–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 3–1 ASK Landsmark
Zenit Jegrava 2–4 FK Sjoedrhavn
RFK Storevik 0–4 Motor Johansborg

Sixteen teams are still around, and all of them want to spend the winter in the Cup - but only eight succeed, seven of which play in the top flight. With only one duel between SFS A teams, most lower league teams face an uphill battle, and things end according to expectations in all of them. Still, it’s a great game for EU Storevik, as they play the local big dogs in a derby against Admiral: 29 year old one-club-man Eirikur Baldersson in the EUS goal stops simply everything in a fantastic game, and when he is finally beaten in a scramble in the second half, Jussi Halldorsson slides in to scrape the ball off the line. However, after 78 minutes, EU drive Hwang Joon-Ho to the point where the Quebecois unleashes the secret weapon off the bench: Tryphon Archer takes only four minutes to beat Eirikur, and Admiral go through to quarterfinals. Libertas, Lokomotive and FK Torpedo never let any doubt come up, and while Zenit Jegrava start out like a storm taking an early lead, FK Sjoedrhavn also lead 4-1 an hour into play. However, Mir Nestrovo manage to challenge AFK Savojagrad, taking an early 2-0 lead at half time, but in the second half AFK manage to show their class. Chris Hjort, motivated to the max as he tries to force himself into AFK’s starting lineup, gets two assists as Kajanov and Nichajev equalise the game, and in the end, captain Lars Larsson finishes off Zenit in the final fifteen minutes. In the one SFS A duel, SK Cuprum remain calm and collected against a harmless ASK Landsmark and use their chances. Some clinical finishes see the Grennvikers lead 2-0 after 55 minutes, and while Justus Rintanen brings back the game for a moment, it’s never enough. Talent Fjodor Meturin in goal makes a mistake as he’s faced with Cuprum’s Xena Allison, and the Chromatik young striker finishes all hopes only four minutes after Rintanen’s goal. Finally, Motor Johansborg draw the regional league side RFK Storevik, but this time, there are no heroics: Motor may only play Nationalligaen this season, but they are experienced pros matching up with amateurs, and win 4-0 in a demonstration of a victory.

Matchday 16
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ESK Storevik 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
Elektron Harkka 0–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Libertas Bergheim 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

On a slow matchday where a lot of teams appear to feel the end of the season and aim to drag themselves into the winter break. Together with increasingly slippery, snowy, and frozen pitches, we get dreary football. Up in Storevik, ice and snow prevents ESK and AFK from having a very good game, but AFK still manage to force themselves through in a biting wind, thanks to the individual class of Vladimir Nichajev who scores both goals. Over at the Marinestadion, Admiral’s home ground, things look a bit better thanks to a decent pitch heating and less wind on the day after, but their duel with Lokomotive Jarnstad is equally slow - except this time, it’s because Madison Bilboa put up a defensive team, taking off the lightly injured Franz for two shielding defensive midfielders and letting Adrian Klaebo run wild on the long balls. It’s the right choice for a typical winter game, and Levin and Grivoshenko create a two-goal-lead that a late header by Arianna Berger does not make up for. Finally, the second-fiercest Sjoedrhavn derby is the best in terms of football, and Dynamo and Partisan do not cede a millimetre of territory to each other. In an uncharacteristically mean-spirited game with a total of thirteen yellow cards, Chandra Rosziter swings herself up to lead Partisan, but she is unlucky as her magistral ball out to Mrdja is disallowed for offside on the video. Ten minutes later, it counts on the other side as Pickton gets through and sets up Tretjakov. Parti equalise as Rosziter, who plays heads and shoulders above the Dynamo midfield, finds Poulsen, and the captain’s chip pass is smashed home volley by Robin Norderberg. Unfortunately, it’s not enough, as Khedira slots home a close-range shot for the 2-1 for the hosts.

Champions League Group Stage
CASK Thorsborg 3-2 Wirr Tsi (CMT)
Shearwater (KSK) 5-0 CASK Thorsborg
CASK Thorsborg 1-0 Jinja City FC (BNJ)
Challenge Cup Group Stage
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1-1 FC Yassaca (SRS)
FC Capri (VAL) 2-1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2-1 FC Asurblau Afoln (TJL)
Associations Trophy Group Stage
Kota Jembal FC (SHT) 3-1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2-1 Bearden (XAN)
New Lakeland Soccer Club (CDG) 3-0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

In the second half of the IFCF group stage, CASK maintain their general track towards the knockouts by beating Wirr Tsi at home in a spectacular and frankly a little messy back and forth, before they travel to Kelssek. And here, they are facing a terribly prepared Shearwater, and missing their defensive organiser in captain Rasmus Vikborg with a second yellow. With the other starting CB Brynjar Hatun having a difficult game, they lose 5-0 and end up in second place behind the Kelssek side following a win over Jinja City FC. Dynamo have to give up their first goal to Yassaca, but get it back with a penalty scored by Jelena Tretjakov before the SFS representatives suffer a narrow loss to FC Capri. In the last game, the Sjoedrhaveners receive Asurblau Afoln and win after a 2-0 lead after an hour, holding off a late charge from their opponents and conceding only one more goal. Partisan have struggled in the first week and then also get taken out by Kota Jembal, whom they beat 6-0 at home, in the return leg. Nonetheless, a win over Xanneria’s Bearden means that a two goal victory over New Lakelang away in Cassadaigua would net them second place. Unfortunately, it takes only 35 minutes for the hosts to lead 2-0 as they counter out Parti, leading to their early exit after another goal for New Lakeland.

Matchday 17
ASK Landsmark 1–2 Libertas Bergheim
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Admiral Storevik
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Elektron Harkka
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 ESK Storevik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 1–2 CASK Thorsborg

Not exactly better weather than last week, and perhaps as a consequence, the football is just as dreary. At least Admiral’s Rysti Erkalainen puts in a high point: Against RLSK Pawlograd, the left winger takes on a pass from Witchstone and turns around Esa Simola, then cuts inside past Nielsen and tunnels Ilarin before casually chipping the ball over Jushchenko in the RLSK goal. It remains the sole highlight of the day as Savojars Vinge Virkaja at least get an upset, Krister Voynov - who gets a by now almost rare start - finding a pinpoint free kick onto the head of Birkir Evaldsson for the 1-0 before the two battle each other to a standstill after Pickton equalises. With ten minutes to go, SVV are getting a corner and Voynov circles the ball in, Bjergsen’s header is blocked by Barton, midfielder Heikki Aho shoots from midrange but is blocked, and somehow, joker Kristina Jonsdottir knocks it over the line with her knee. Finally, Energie Thorsborg meet CASK in the friendliest derby of the nation. On a muddy pitch, Energie don’t even bother with short passes but go for a manic press and long, quick balls. As a result, Metalkov snipes a ball off Ansgar Klaey, Borgen heads it back and Linus Nöysten scores from the edge of the box for an early lead that holds for about an hour. But then, Energie tire from their press; CASK immediately pounce with Smolov beating Björn Munch in a sprint and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ulf Svensson. With five minutes to go, Svensson then misjudges a cross by Tuomela, can’t quite clear it, and Johan Larsson just has to hold out his foot for the winner.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              17   14   0   3    34   10  +24    42
 2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           17   10   4   3    38   14  +24    34
 3 Lokomotive Jarnstad         17   10   4   3    18   10   +8    34
 4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        17    8   5   4    22   18   +4    29
 5 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      17    9   2   6    24   24    0    29
 6 SK Cuprum Grennvik          17    7   5   5    14   10   +4    26
 7 ESK Storevik                17    7   4   6    22   23   −1    25
 8 Libertas Bergheim           17    6   6   5    19   13   +6    24
 9 Admiral Storevik            17    7   3   7    20   18   +2    24
10 AFK Savojagrad              17    7   3   7    15   28  −13    24
11 Dynamo Novaya Russica       17    4   9   4    11   11    0    21
12 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         17    5   6   6    19   21   −2    21
13 FK Sjoedrhavn               17    4   6   7    15   18   −3    18
14 Energie Thorsborg           17    4   6   7    18   30  −12    18
15 RLSK Pawlograd              17    5   2  10    11   18   −7    17
16 ASK Landsmark               17    3   4  10    10   20  −10    13
17 FK Metall Jarnstad          17    3   3  11     7   18  −11    12
18 Elektron Harkka             17    0   8   9     8   21  −13     8

by **Savojarna** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:25 pm

SFS A Season 18 - Part 3/4

Matchday 18
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–4 ESK Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 Elektron Harkka
AFK Savojagrad 1–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–4 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Admiral Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
ASK Landsmark 3–4 Energie Thorsborg
CASK Thorsborg 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

In their first game back in the SFS A, FK Sjoedrhavn have demolished SK Cuprum 3-0 away. But now, they take revenge: Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen, Cuprum’s 2.8 million signing on the right wing, plucks apart FKS first by swinging in beautifully to chip a ball over Jostein Helmsgaard, and then with a pinpoint cross to Jeraväinen, who drops it back to the late arriving Santala for the 0-2. It’s smooth sailing from there, and LP17 crowns himself with the 2-4, a spectacular 1v1 against Legkov before he taps the ball back to Ansgar Lundvik. Even more goals fall between ASK Landsmark and Energie Thorsborg. Energie unleash from the start, with Metalkov and Ekveit scoring in the first twenty minutes, but ASK come back with a counter right before the break as Energie refuse to control their lead. Shortly after the break, a Paddi Gren free kick brings the equaliser, but Energie continue to whirl around the defence and take the lead by two again. Hope returns briefly thanks to a long diagonal ball from captain Samerin Oouri, landing on the thigh of Helga Bengtsdottir, who finds Potvin for the 3-4, but it’s too late for a comeback. No goals fall in the match of the week between leader CASK and third-placed Dynamo. Knowing about CASK’s counter-attacking proficiency, Seneca Matthews replaces Rokowic with the highly defensive Sjovakovitsj, and brings on Routsiainen for Phoen. CASK get more control of the game than they anticipated, but they can’t do much with it save for Arnar’s pure genius, getting some room between the lines to send a massive shot to the bottom right, but he sees it bounce off the post. In the final phase, Dynamo settle for the point away and defend with five men, replacing Saevar with centre-back Mastronenko and bringing home the point.

Matchday 19
Energie Thorsborg 0–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Libertas Bergheim 1–2 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 0–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–2 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 4–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ESK Storevik 4–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 1–1 CASK Thorsborg

RLSK Pawlograd don’t draw a lot of attention this season, but they got quietly done with their job, staying well clear of relegation and taking care of business in the lower midfield. Every now and then, they take a scalp too, and this is one of those days: Off the back of Anastasia Mjosov’s tireless shuttling and Victoria Liljeström putting in a masterclass of modern wingback play, they break Libertas’ offensive whirlwind. Ahonen man-marks Andrea Vithoulkas and the central midfield chokes out the passing between Wen and Arkanin, and up front, Liljeström assists both goals, a Johan Ludvigsson header and a short-distance tap by Samenkov. Dynamo suffer an unexpected setback, lacking Charlotte Pala in defence due to a muscular issue and Jelena Tretjakov with a viral infection. Pala’s replacement Mastronenko is not close enough to Guweddeko, and the Quebecois striker pounces immediately; Isabelle Christian’s free kick then bounces off the head of Saevar unfortunately enough that Tanith Arrowsmith looks poor but has no chance to stop the deflected ball. Down 0-2 at half time, Dynamo pull Khedira out wide and sub in Stromberg, bring Ostapenko for Phoen and pray, but now, defensive stability breaks down completely and Varauskas and Guweddeko again secure a scalp for ESK. In the Army Derby, ASK Landsmark play with desperation in their hearts and get an early goal as a corner finds the head of Rintanen, bounces off a leg, and Shabunin pushes it over the line. Trying to defend with all their power, ASK get scrappy, physical, and frankly unfair. Eight yellow cards are given out before the ninth goes to Jens Carlsen - who had already been cautioned, and is sent off for a brutal tackle into the legs of Denis Sjavopalov. With ten men, ASK try to make a hero play, but eventually Johan Larsson finds Smolov, who prolongs the ball to Sjavopalov who can tap it in.

Matchday 20
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 ESK Storevik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 6–1 Elektron Harkka
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Admiral Storevik
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
RLSK Pawlograd 2–1 Energie Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 ASK Landsmark

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn have been holding back and securing a draw away at CASK two weeks ago and have been held up by ESK last week, but this time, there is no more holding back. With Tretjakov back in good health, they are winding up a storm in midfield, and Elektron Harkka do not show the class to threaten the gap left by Pala’s absence. As a result, Dynamo lead 3-0 at half time and could easily be up by one or two more. Lise Stromberg and Vilhjelm Drotte get some playtime in the second half and combine themselves to a fourth goal, and in the end it’s a 6-1 win for the team from the capital. The other capital side is not quite as successful: With Patrik Alexandersson’s chair being on shaky grounds, Partisan host Cuprum and seem insecure and shaky. Rosziter is a lone shining light in the centre, but can’t pull things together; Poulsen can’t keep up with the physicality of Eyjolfur, Mrdja looks unmotivated and lazy, and Norderberg struggles with few balls coming his way. In the end, a Tepparainen cross tapped in by captain Leda Fjodorov decides the game for Cuprum. And then, Lok Jarnstad, who are in great shape and shortened the gap to CASK to four points, are hosting ASK Landsmark and set up offensively, with Franz joining the press against a Landsmark side that is suddenly forced to play more long balls than they are comfortable with. Bilboa dares to take off captain Klaebo for Ahlund, who shines at securing those long balls, and goals by Trikhichev and Rawic bring victory for Lok in the second half.

Matchday 21
ASK Landsmark 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Energie Thorsborg 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Libertas Bergheim 1–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–0 AFK Savojagrad
Admiral Storevik 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 0–1 ESK Storevik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 CASK Thorsborg

Admiral Storevik against Partisan Sjoedrhavn is a duel of two underachieving big hitters, and both Hwang Joon-Ho and Patrik Alexandersson are playing for their jobs. Accordingly, the teams are set up to be cautious and look a little shaken, resulting in many long balls for Admiral and a lot of individual actions from Partisan. It is a missed long ball that brings the decision as Chandra Rosziter collects a ball in midfield, sets up Antonia Nygaard, and a diagonal ball finds Norderberg for the 0-1. Later on, a counter finishes with Mrdja - who came off the bench - scoring the 0-2. Dynamo Novaya Russica have been quiet this season, hovering around the midfield with an uninspiring but solid 4-4-2 and a standout player in goalkeeper Hugo Yoon. Today, he proves himself against Dynamo Sjoedrhavn in the Dynamo Derby, stopping nine shots onto his goal and giving his team the chance for a late winner, but Hjörvar Onisson’s header goes a few centimetres wide. The real focus of the day, however, is Lok against CASK. Separated by four points at the top, the Jarnstaders know that a win against CASK would melt the lead of the Thorsborgers down almost entirely, and CASK are struggling a little with Ilikin being out of form recently, and with Vidkun Nymark suspended after a yellow card he probably didn’t have to take, Lok smell blood in the water. The guests try to paper over that struggle with a fierce attack and press, but Lok’s back line is probably among the best in the league, and with a 34th minute sensational parry from Knasmuller - scraping the ball out of the top left corner after an Arnar Jonsson free kick - they maintain a scoreless draw at half time. Taking off Franz for Sadianov once again unleashes Klaebo, and the balls fly over CASK’s heads right as Klaey dares to go forwards more; the opening this provides to Natalja Levin is used for the 1-0 as the right midfielder scores. In the final phase of the match, Lok lose Bogdan Rawic following a brutal tackle by Letov, but also get a penalty; Klaebo seals the win from the spot and makes the title race highly interesting.

Challengers Cup Second Round
Trebuchet Cham (ZWZ) 2-2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2-2 Trebuchet Cham (1-3 pen)

No luck for Dynamo Sjoedrhavn: After two entertaining and open games, they are tied with Zwangzug’s Trebuchet Cham. A difficult opponent that managed to trouble the otherwise so solid Tanith Arrowsmith, they force Dynamo to overtime, where they battle each other to a standstill as each side is afraid of conceding the decisive goal; still, Tretjakov’s through ball towards Khedira nearly brings a decision. However, the Quebecois gets hit by the nerves and tries to send a pass across the box to Saevar, but that is what allows a defender to intercept. In penalties, the pressure is too much: Khedira - again - misses first, and while Pickton converts his attempt, Phoen and Polve miss theirs for a 3-1 loss and the end of Dynamo’s international campaign.

Matchday 22
CASK Thorsborg 5–1 Elektron Harkka
ESK Storevik 1–2 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 ASK Landsmark
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 Admiral Storevik

FK Sjoedrhavn and Energie Thorsborg are two of the most interesting teams in the lower half of the SFS A. FKS play with a diagonal midfield four, a wingback on the left supporting a back three and a wide midfielder on the right. On the other side, Sven Byggsvild’s Fab Four interchange and combine themselves through enemy defences to set up Ekveit or Borgen in the middle. Today, they clash in a spectacular game where Mortensen strikes first by slipping past an out-of-position Andreassen to set up Halvard Aalgren for the 1-0; however, separated by the break, Energie score two goals to revert the score. Birger Haraldsson, however, separates Ingvildsen from the ball and sends Mijatov deep to score the equaliser. In the title race, CASK have thrown down a gauntlet with a 5-1 win over Elektron Harkka; Lok need to strike back at RLSK Pawlograd but struggle with the promotees. Johan Ludvigsson almost gets the leading goal, but first is denied by Knasmuller at close range; in the following corner, he beats the keeper, but has been pushing off Tristana Palsdottir and sees his goal disallowed. On the other end, a range shot from Anna Guweddeko hits the post, and that seems to wake up Lok. A long ball from Klaebo in the second half is used by Trikhichev to set up a late run by Guweddeko for the lone goal of the game. Finally, Savojars Vinge receive Admiral Storevik in the final game of the day, and it becomes a tense fought match with multiple chances on both sides - and a clash between Nepharim Tryphon Archer and Ysabet Belgrade, as the two come into contact following an SVV corner and get into a bit of a spat. On the pitch, Archer wins the duel as he scores and Belgrade gets subbed out 65 minutes in without being very present, but her teammate Bjergsen scores off a Packard-Grey cross to still secure a point.

Matchday 23
RLSK Pawlograd 0–0 CASK Thorsborg
ASK Landsmark 0–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–4 ESK Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 2–1 Elektron Harkka
Energie Thorsborg 4–1 AFK Savojagrad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 FK Metall Jarnstad

RLSK Pawlograd are an annoying opponent, and almost made Lok Jarnstad stumble last week. Now, the Russian side is facing off against leaders CASK, and they are aware of their limitations: Nielsen and Liljeström play more defensive than usually, and for once, creative engine Uljakov is entirely subbed out, leading to three holding midfielders as the old warhorse Vikingstad plays between Simola and Mjosov. RLSK play long balls towards Ludvigsson and use Mjosov’s shuttling ability to support the half-Quebecois striker; it almost pays off as they trip up CASK on the counter, but Valujev stops the shot from Amalia Litmanen. In the end, a draw means that Lok have the chance of taking over the lead on Sunday night. But first, Energie Thorsborg are firing off a firework against AFK Savojagrad, scoring three goals in the first half as Ingvildsen, Tepparainen, and Ekveit score in an offensive frenzy. With that lead in their heart, Energie may coast to victory, but AFK set a mark as their goal is spectacular: From their own box, they combine through in seven quick balls before the overlapping Daniela Aalberg crosses in on half-height, and in the box, the late arriving Sabine Bar flies in like a torpedo to head home the ball with a diving header. Finally, Lok Jarnstad face their local rivals Metall to take over the SFS A leader position - and they are entirely unfazed by Metall’s tight midfield. Instead, they just bypass it over Oleg Trikhichev’s speed on the wings, creating space and speed, and Trikhichev beats Eir in a 1v1 to pass inwards and find Rawic’s foot for the 1-0. With Metall opening, counter chances occur, and joker Henrik Elvers scores the 2-0 as he escapes Metall’s defence. For the first time since the second week of the season, CASK do not lead the league anymore as Lok slip ahead by one point.

Savojarsk Cup Quarterfinals
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (1–0 AET)
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–0 Admiral Storevik
Motor Johansborg 2–2 Libertas Bergheim (2–3 AET)
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad (2–2 AET) (4–3 pen.)

Motor Johansborg, being the one non-SFS A-side around, are in the focus of the public, and the Nationalligaen team starts out more than successful: Only eighteen minutes into the game, 19 year old winger Hansson scores from an angle and makes replacement keeper Jonas Hilde look silly. Libertas do manage to tie by virtue of Kaja Eller, but in the second half, Motor take the lead again as Pjatov makes an unnecessary handball in the box. As time goes on, however, Libertas’ bigger depth and fitness is evident; a fresh Arkanin ties the game up and Vithoulkas, coming on for the extra time, scores the 2-3. Two other games also go to extra time. AFK Savojagrad against FK Torpedo is actually an entertaining, offensive match, but is scoreless thanks to poor finishing and a disallowed goal as Zander Cadell is offside in the second half. In overtime, however, Kovalenko knocks on a ball being shot in from the side and scores it from close range to put AFK Savojagrad through. FK Sjoedrhavn, on the other hand, have absolute tenacity, holding onto a 1-0 lead obtained late in the first half until 83rd minute as Rikke Söderström scores an equaliser. Then, Lok’s quality appears to prevail as Trikhichev scores, but in the second half of extra time, a ball falls in front of Mijatov who scores the 2-2. The shootout is another thriller, with Knasmuller stopping the first attempt, but on the fourth attempt, Chiswick hits it far over the bar; then, the final attempt by Anna Guweddeko is denied by the keeper to send FKS into the semifinals. Only Cuprum Grennvik manage to win within regulation thanks to Pavarenko’s brilliant defence, and a double by Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen.

Matchday 24
CASK Thorsborg 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Elektron Harkka 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 4–0 Libertas Bergheim
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Energie Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 1–2 ASK Landsmark
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 RLSK Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 4–1 Admiral Storevik

CASK Thorsborg are frustrated by the quietly defensively stable, but otherwise unassuming Dynamo Novaya Russica. Despite 98 minutes of constant attack, as the referees try their best to keep DNR’s time wasting in check, and despite 19 shot attempts, CASK just can’t find their way through, giving the SFS A a glimpse on how to hold them in check - and Lok a chance to make a step forward in the league table, and the Jarnstaders use it as they face FK Sjoedrhavn again, and this time with the better result. Over at the Stadion Dynamo, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn face Torpedo Pawlograd, and fall behind due to an individual mistake by Mastronenko. Serebrjakov scores the 1-0 in the wake of that, and almost doubles up but shoots straight into Arrowsmith’s arms from close range. Dynamo do the expected and revert the score, but in the end, Torpedo manage another goal in the last 15 minutes as a cross comes in, and within a scramble around Arrowsmith, the ball falls out at the far post and Harald Gröneveld taps it into an open goal. A lot of protests erupt, but it does not matter as the referee has not seen a collision with the keeper. Finally, ESK Storevik are taking apart a shaken Admiral thanks to absolutely clinical finishing from Eddie Guweddeko, who gets two, and a spectacular diving header by Lipa Kuznetsov. The derby loss is not that significant in the standings, but it exemplifies the recent trouble of Admiral.

Champions League Octofinals
CASK Thorsborg 4-1 CA Paulinthal (PAS)
CA Paulinthal 1-1 CASK Thorsborg

CASK Thorsborg draw a difficult opponent with Pasarga’s CA Paulinthal, but they manage to take their opposition apart with quick, precise, and deadly counter-attacking to take a 4-1 home at win, Rasmus Medberg Hansen noting a double and Alexander Ilikin standing out as the midfield destroyer of Paulinthal’s hopes. In the return game in Pasarga, the CASK team decides to rely on their defence and play a more withdrawn formation, and it is rewarded by holding the 0 for seventy minutes, and even getting another goal in the last ten minutes to win 5-2 on aggregate.

Matchday 25
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
RLSK Pawlograd 0–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 3–3 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 0–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 3–2 ESK Storevik
Admiral Storevik 1–2 Elektron Harkka
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–1 AFK Savojagrad

Energie Thorsborg and Savojars Vinge Virkaja are among the teams commonly cited as the most exciting SFS A teams, one of them playing a fluid offensive five that rotates around itself in exhilarating speeds and the other playing three creative, spectacular, and speedy wingers. It’s hard to say who is more spectacular in this game, as Energie go up 2-0 thanks to Nöysten and Ekveit, and SVV revert the score with a solo effort from Belgrade setting up MPG and Voynov doing Voynov things to equalise. In the end, it’s a 3-3 draw. There is just one less goal, but a lot less quality between FK Torpedo and ESK Storevik. However, there’s also a lot more drama as FK Torpedo get two penalties in the first half, but miss one of them; still, the rebound is converted by Tabur to win a 2-1 lead. ESK get a penalty themselves and score it, right before Torpedo use a mistake by the defence of ESK to win the game. And on Sunday night, it’s Lok Jarnstad who stumble in the title race: A first half lead by Rawic, scored from thirteen metres after getting forcing himself past Jokelainen and beating Lerum to the bottom left. But in the end, it doesn’t quite work out that way: After an hour, Kjaergaard forces a corner and takes it herself, circling hte ball perfectly onto the waiting head of Lars Larsson for the equaliser.

Matchday 26
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 Admiral Storevik
Elektron Harkka 1–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 0–2 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–0 Energie Thorsborg
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 ASK Landsmark
AFK Savojagrad 2–0 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad

There are not too many exciting results on this day: CASK are coldly dispatching of SK Cuprum as Arnar Jonsson makes two perfect passes to set up attacks leading to goals; FK Torpedo get an expected win over Elektron but also a beautiful goal as a pass that gets longer and longer finds Emma Kenna-Tang, who scores volley from nineteen metres. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn score a convincing 3-0 win over Energie Thorsborg, cementing their IFCF aspirations. But the big one is the Sunday night match: Partisan Sjoedrhavn face Lok Jarnstad at home. Parti need points desperately to secure at least the IFCF spots; on the other hand, Lok risk losing the lead if they don’t win. As a result, we’re getting a surprisingly cagey, but also an extremely tense match. Every approach to the boxes is met with panic, and the game is characterised by many fouls. Rawic, Trikhchev and Mrdja all miss good chances, and Knasmuller stops Norderberg from point blank, making Partisan already miss Lars Alvesen. In the final phase, Poulsen shoots flat from a range, and deflected by Sobchuk, the ball finds a path past Gerrik Knasmuller into the goal to stab Lok’s heart and set them two points behind again.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              26   18   4   4    47   14  +33    58
 2 Lokomotive Jarnstad         26   17   5   4    32   12  +20    56
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           26   14   8   4    54   21  +33    50
 4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        26   13   8   5    38   26  +12    47
 5 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      26   12   6   8    36   37   −1    42
 6 ESK Storevik                26   12   4  10    42   36   +6    40
 7 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         26   10   9   7    30   25   +5    39
 8 Dynamo Novaya Russica       26    9  12   5    19   15   +4    39
 9 SK Cuprum Grennvik          26    9   6  11    21   24   −3    33
10 Libertas Bergheim           26    8   8  10    24   25   −1    32
11 AFK Savojagrad              26    9   5  12    24   42  −18    32
12 FK Sjoedrhavn               26    8   7  11    25   31   −6    31
13 RLSK Pawlograd              26    9   3  14    17   26   −9    30
14 Energie Thorsborg           26    7   9  10    34   48  −14    30
15 Admiral Storevik            26    7   6  13    23   30   −7    27
16 FK Metall Jarnstad          26    5   5  16     9   25  −16    20
17 ASK Landsmark               26    5   5  16    17   34  −17    20
18 Elektron Harkka             26    3   8  15    20   41  −21    17

by **Savojarna** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 3:42 pm

SFS A Season 18 - Part 4/4

Matchday 27
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–1 CASK Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
RLSK Pawlograd 3–5 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 2–1 ESK Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 0–2 Elektron Harkka
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Admiral Storevik 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 9–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja

It’s a normal matchday with two absolute freak results - and implications for the title race. Before today, CASK hold a two-point lead, but rotating some of their squad before a crucial CL quarterfinal return leg at AC Izotz Zubia leaves the Thorsborgers weakened, and trying to save energy in the second half. FK Sjoedrhavn brutally punish it as Mortensen finds Mijatov in the centre and the forward nods in a cross to equalise six minutes before the end. Lok now can equalise in points, although they’ll still be second in goal difference unless they beat Savojars Vinge by 11… and they seem to try. In the end, it’s 9-1, a shocking display that is not explained away by SVV’s two red cards (one in the first half as Miatanen is late on a tackle and stops a clear chance for Rawic; a second one as Jokiainen gets riled up by Guweddeko and gets his second yellow of the game for giving the midfielder an earful). The utter collapse of SVV even outmatches the highly entertaining, no-holds-barred beatdown between RLSK Pawlograd and Partisan Sjoedrhavn, which ends with the Partisans winning out late on a Traudl Mrdja penalty and a long-range screamer from Chandra Rosziter.

IFCF Champions League Quarterfinals
CASK Thorsborg 2-2 AC Izotz Zubia (AUD)
AC Izotz Zubia 2-3 CASK Thorsborg

A thriller develops between CASK and AC Izotz Zubia of Audioslavia. The game could turn either way at any moment, and the draw in the first leg is entirely justified as the National League’s representative is the better team and takes a lead twice, but CASK are clinical and just won’t die - and they have Rasmus Medberg Hansen, who scores two in the process. In the return game, two quick counters set them ahead 0-2, and then 1-3 after Smolov wins a penalty that she also converts ice-cold. It’s not enough for a heroically fighting Audioslavian side to overcome, and Savojarna have a Champions League semifinalist.

Matchday 28
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
Elektron Harkka 2–1 Energie Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 2–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
CASK Thorsborg 2–2 Admiral Storevik

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn are hosting Lok Jarnstad, and they know that with a victory, they can close a massive gap down to five points, overcomeable in the next rounds, and therefore be back in contention for the Champions League places. As a result, they play tenacious to the point of obnoxiousness, and just refuse to give up any shots or goals, sometimes almost getting ugly in their determination not to let Lok get off a good chance. Together with Tanith Arrowsmith’s backstop abilities, a single goal, an annoying, messy tap-in by Pickton, is enough for that goal. That gives CASK a little bit of breathing room for an Army-Navy-Derby that rests on a knife’s edge, with CASK being the much better team but Admiral having a man called Tryphon Archer. The Nepharan equalises twice, but he doesn’t have the support to win a game as the team looks fractured, shaken, and bitter. CASK widen the lead at the top from goal difference to a single point, but it remains a closer title race than they should ever have allowed.

Matchday 29
AFK Savojagrad 2–4 CASK Thorsborg
FK Sjoedrhavn 3–7 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 ESK Storevik
ASK Landsmark 0–2 Elektron Harkka
Energie Thorsborg 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–3 Admiral Storevik

Yes, there’s a Navy Derby (victory to Admiral thanks to Archer, Erkalainen, and Berger; with Cadell injured and Kenna-Tang suspended, Torpedo lack quality). Yes, there’s a 3-7 (demonstration from Poulsen and Mrdja and an insanely poor form day for both goalkeepers). But we don’t have time to talk about either of those as AFK Savojagrad open up fire: 20 minutes, and Bar chips a ball past everyone, and Nichajev has the presence to head it sideways onto the foot of Kovalainen. 34 minutes, and Rasmus Vikborg shoulders away Kovalenko for a penalty that Nichajev converts. Half time, and the leaders CASK are down 2-0. But then, in 17 insane minutes, Medberg Hansen heads in a corner, Ilikin converts a free kick, and Hartikainen dances around Aalberg for a cross that Smolov chips over the charging Erland Lerum to revert the score before Sjavopalov scores the final one. CASK put pressure on Lok, who run into an ESK Storevik wall for sixty-seven minutes before a ball bounces off twice, lands on the foot of Florian Franz, and he converts. ESK almost get another one in, but with Kuznetsov’s shot bouncing off the post and Henrik Elvers scoring the 2-0, the win stays in Jarnstad.

Games remaining: 5 // Points available: 15

CASK Thorsborg - 63 pts. / +35
Lokomotive Jarnstad - 62 / +29
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn - 57 / +35
FK Torpedo Pawlograd - 51 / +11

other teams are mathematically eliminated

Savojarsk Cup Semifinals
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik (2–2 AET) (6–5 pen.)
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Libertas Bergheim

SK Cuprum have not much left to fight for: IFCF football is a long shot, and the relegation is all but averted; this leaves the side full focus on the Cup, while FKS need every point they can get to avoid a late surge from one of the bottom three teams endangering their spot in the league. Accordingly, Cuprum go all out in this match while Sjoedrhavn rest some players, but it’s still a close game, with Xena Allison’s first half leader being countered right before the break as Olsen heads in a corner. In extra time, Röysveit scores the first goal, but he gets subbed off following a cramp in his leg, and without him, Cuprum’s defence suffers. This allows Mijatov to find a gap and send the game to a dramatic shootout with nearly no mistakes - that is, until the fourteenth penalty, where Loki Mattason sends it over the bar and puts FK Sjoedrhavn into the cup final.
AFK Savojagrad face off Libertas Bergheim, two teams that are mostly focusing on the Cup as their best shot at some silverware; however, their game does not hold up to the promise of two creative sides. Partially, it’s poor finishing on both sides - especially Kaja Eller, who gets a nod over Vithoulkas, seems to struggle with the pressure of having one game to show her value - but it’s also an overly cautious game on both sides. AFK are the first ones to loosen the handbrakes, and as a result, they are rewarded by Kovalenko breaking through, setting up her striker mate Jebatsenko, and the duo celebrating the lone goal falling in the 76th minute.

Matchday 30
Admiral Storevik 1–1 Libertas Bergheim
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–2 Energie Thorsborg
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 ASK Landsmark
Elektron Harkka 2–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 0–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
CASK Thorsborg 4–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

All eyes are on the title race as Elektron Harkka shock Savojarna: After the Finns equalised thanks to a mistake by Lok centre-back Artjom Sobchuk, they are pushed back violently. Both wingbacks are fullbacks by now, constantly pinned back; creative mind Zenqvist has already been replaced by the learned centre-back Potriainen to act as a sweeper ahead of Harkka’s back three, but Lok press forward looking for a goal - and then, Tapio sends a long ball that gets even longer, Laurismäki knocks it on, Dragunov beats both Tova Chiswick and Tristana Palsdottir to it, and slots it past Knasmuller as if that was the easiest job in the world. Lok are shattered, and CASK smell blood in the water, going in for an all-out brawl against FK Torpedo. Against a recovered Zander Cadell, who dashes behind their lines time after time, and a strong Viera it results in three goals against (although one is a mistake by Valujev). However, on the other side, Thorsborg are even stronger, and score one more as Rasmus Medberg Hansen notes a hattrick.

Games remaining: 4 // Points available: 12

CASK Thorsborg - 66 pts. / +36
Lokomotive Jarnstad - 62 / +28
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn - 58 / +35

other teams are mathematically eliminated

Matchday 31
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 CASK Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–0 ESK Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Elektron Harkka
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
ASK Landsmark 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Energie Thorsborg 1–0 Admiral Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–5 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

CASK Thorsborg are reaching their hands out very, very, very close to the title against Partisan Sjoedrhavn, who themselves are just one point behind SVV chasing an IFCF spot. For once, the Parti side that had dreadful moments in the past months puts out a very strong challenge, but Lapanen and Arnason are clearly out of form as they fail to threaten Valujev. The increasingly angry attacks allow counters, and Sauthier converts one of them before the break. Parti come back with Mrdja shifted inside and Kronberg on the wing, and it helps as the threats are bigger now, but it’s still CASK who score: An Arnar Jonsson goal on a counter puts the game out of reach, and with Lok Jarnstad failing to score against DNR’s Hugo Yoon, the defending champions are now sitting six points clear with only three games to go. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, on the other hand, are doing their part, demolishing FKS at the Stadsstadion in a whirlwind of booing, whistling, and general heated derby atmosphere. A double by Saevar puts them ahead 3-1, and they never give up that lead, maintaining at least a nominal chance for the title.

Games remaining: 3 // Points available: 9

CASK Thorsborg - 69 pts. / +37
Lokomotive Jarnstad - 63 / +28
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn - 61 / +38

other teams are mathematically eliminated

IFCF Champions League Semifinals
Tanrısal (PAS) 2-2 CASK Thorsborg
CASK Thorsborg 2-2 Tanrısal (3-2 AET)

CASK are making a massive splash in the international game by defeating the Pasargan giant Tanrısal. It looks dire in the first game, but with a powerful push, they manage to draw the game back thanks to Medberg Hansen’s poaching power as well as the incredible drive forward of left winger Kimi Hartikainen. With an away draw, CASK know they have the final in their sights and focus on their strength: Defensive stability and deadly counters through their fast strikers, resulting in Smolov and Hartikainen getting two goals in the first hour - but Tanrısal don’t give up and tie in the final phase of the game, resulting in extra time. 25 minutes into extra time, Tuomela finds Arnar Jons for a long shot that is blocked in the box, but Medberg Hansen’s instincts take over and the young striker scores the 3-2 for CASK.

Matchday 32
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Energie Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 0–1 ASK Landsmark
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Elektron Harkka 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 2–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–4 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

With the strain of a midweek game against Tanrısal that went into extra time in their legs, CASK swap around their team: Medberg Hansen, Hartikainen, Sauthier, Ilikin, and Klaey are all rested; Smolov is subbed out after an hour. As a result, the Thorsborgers lack some finishing power and can’t bash through a spirited Mikhail Trischuk; on the other end, Wen Xiaohui finds Kaja Eller for a cold tap past Valujev and the victory for Libertas. Lok, knowing this is their one big chance, sub on a second striker late, and this joker - Henrik Elvers - is the one that beats out two defenders and passes sideways for a simple tap-in for Robin Axelsson. Behind them, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn’s chances have always been more on the mathematical side, but with a draw to AFK Savojagrad courtesy of a late goal by Sabine Bar, even those chances are gone now and the title race becomes a two-horse race.

Games remaining: 2 // Points available: 6

CASK Thorsborg - 69 pts. / +36
Lokomotive Jarnstad - 66 / +29

other teams are mathematically eliminated

Matchday 33
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 3–2 CASK Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–2 ESK Storevik
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Elektron Harkka
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
RLSK Pawlograd 0–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Lokomotive Jarnstad 3–1 Admiral Storevik
ASK Landsmark 1–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Energie Thorsborg 1–0 Libertas Bergheim

With CASK being three points ahead, exceeding Lokomotive today would be enough to make sure they win the title in Virkaja. But the minds of the Thorsborgers appear to be on the game of next week, when they’ll face Chromatik in the IFCF Champions League final; after taking an early lead, they are quickly losing steam and making more and more mistakes. As a result, CASK get equalised on and fall behind as Packard-Grey scores the 1-2; Voynov even adds on a third goal with a splendid solo from the left side. That’s one too much, even a late penalty converted by Smolov is not enough for CASK. Still, if Lok don’t win, the final matchday is fully in CASK’s hands; however, it’s not quite enough as Lok are winning their match against Admiral Storevik clearly and tie up the points. Behind them, Dynamo are only drawing against their local rivals Partisan thanks to a second half goal by Norderberg equalising and Virulainen stopping two great chances in the final ten minutes, keeping Partisan in a decent position for IFCF spots and holding back Dynamo in their quest for the Champions League.

IFCF Champions League Final
Chromatik (CMT) 2-2 CASK Thorsborg (2-2 AET, 5-6 pen)

Roleplayed in detail here

Final Matchday Preview
The race at the top is extremely tight: CASK Thorsborg and Lok Jarnstad are not only tied on 69 points each, making for a very nice title race already; they’re even within reach of each other in goal difference. CASK have a light advantage at +35, but Lokomotive follow on +31, meaning a high win might still bring them a win. CASK are playing their city rivals Energie at home in a charged game; Lokomotive are travelling to Pawlograd to face FK Torpedo. Behind the title race, four teams still contest the Challengers Cup spots: Dynamo and FK Torpedo have secured theirs, but behind them, SVV are in the top position with 50 points in 5th place; Partisan follow with 49 and a better goal difference. The Virkajans have to play Dynamo Sjoedrhavn away, whereas Partisan are playing away against ESK Storevik (who still have a very long shot themselves with a win and some help). On the bottom of the table, RLSK Pawlograd play Admiral Storevik and can still manage to avoid the relegation game with a win; behind them, FK Metall hope on a loss to still manage to secure themselves.

Matchday 34
CASK Thorsborg 4–3 Energie Thorsborg
Libertas Bergheim 4–3 ASK Landsmark
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 2–0 RLSK Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 3–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
ESK Storevik 4–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 3–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja

It’s a heartbeat finale between the top two, and Lok strike first: Twenty-seven minutes in, Adrian Klaebo gives a brilliant pass to the sides where Trikhichev takes it along, cuts inside, drops it back to Rawic, and in what is likely his last game in Savojarna the Zeta Rekan striker scores flat to the bottom right. Torpedo, having nothing to play for, mostly put up token opposition; however, over in Thorsborg, Energie furiously push against their local rivals - and go up 2-0 on a nervous CASK before Smolov shortens the score to 2-1. Right after the break, Arnar Jons equalises, but it doesn’t hold long before Ekveit scores a third. With only 31 minutes and injury time to go, CASK need two more goals without giving one up. In six minutes they already get the first one back, but video disallows it as Medberg Hansen uses his arm to control a cross; with 19 minutes to go, finally they find the 3-3 as Klaey crosses in and Janna Sauthier, jumping high and kicking the ball on her chest height, somehow pushes it over the line. Still, they need another one, and Energie are no team to give any presents to CASK, their local rivals. CASK push and push and almost give one up as Borgen escapes but bottles her finish, shooting about fifteen centimetres wide. Then, hope from another place: Torpedo scored! Except they didn’t, and Rotan was offside, rendering the goal void and keeping CASK in their predicament. 87 minutes have passed, and Lok - who were six points behind their rivals just three weeks ago - have been virtual champions for the last hour. But then, one more corner. Valujev goes up, and eleven CASK players are in or around Energie’s box. Brynjar Hatun, the only centre-back still on the pitch, rises to the cross, but Grokov gets a foot between, the ball bounces around, Halvorsen shoots from the back, the ball hits Ilikin’s thigh and loops unstoppably into the Energie goal. With only a few minutes to go, CASK defend their title and win the SFS A!

Savojarsk Cup Final
AFK Savojagrad 4–1 FK Sjoedrhavn

A final game to close out the season in rainy, muddy conditions. Still, the stadium is sold out, and FKS play but a few kilometres away from their home stadium, leading to a massive buildup of their fans. FK Sjoedrhavn have put out a lineup to exploit the wide space that AFK often leave open, but it’s not enough as Sabine Bar puts in a magistral performance, perhaps one of her best on Savojar pitches despite the poor condition of the pitch. Six AFK members are pushing up to form a semi-circle consisting of the wide backs, the midfielders sitting between the lines, and the strikers lurking between FKS’s centre–backs; behind this setup, Bar pulls the strings masterfully and initiates every single one of the three attacks that put Savojagrad up 3-0 by half time. Nichajev with a header, Milvonen with a masterfully curled in ball, and Kovalenko with a volley at the near post score the goals. In the second half, AFK sit back as Sjoedrhavn try for a quick push, but get quickly shut down and concede a fourth on a counter. Only in the final minutes can Knudsen score a consolation goal as AFK Savojagrad celebrate their first cup victory.

Final Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              34   22   6   6    66   30  +36    72
 2 Lokomotive Jarnstad         34   22   6   6    49   17  +32    72
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           34   18  12   4    67   27  +40    66
 4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        34   16  10   8    48   36  +12    58
 5 ESK Storevik                34   15   5  14    52   46   +6    50
 6 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      34   14   8  12    47   58  −11    50
 7 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         34   13  10  11    50   42   +8    49
 8 Dynamo Novaya Russica       34   11  16   7    24   21   +3    49
 9 Libertas Bergheim           34   11  11  12    32   33   −1    44
10 AFK Savojagrad              34   12   8  14    34   53  −19    44
11 SK Cuprum Grennvik          34   11   9  14    24   28   −4    42
12 Energie Thorsborg           34   11   9  14    44   57  −13    42
13 Admiral Storevik            34   10   8  16    33   38   −5    38
14 FK Sjoedrhavn               34    9  11  14    40   52  −12    38
15 Elektron Harkka             34    9   9  16    31   46  −15    36
16 RLSK Pawlograd              34   10   3  21    21   41  −20    33
17 FK Metall Jarnstad          34    8   8  18    14   28  −14    32
18 ASK Landsmark               34    6   7  21    22   45  −23    25

SFS Season 18 Awards

SavojarSports.sj Team of the Season (4-3-3)
GK: Olga Valujev (CASK)
DF: Ansgar Klaey (CASK), Tristana Palsdottir (LOK), Kenneth Röysveit (SKC), Wladmir Rokowic (DSJ)
MF: Adrian Klaebo (LOK), Arnar Jonsson (CASK), Emma Kenna-Tang (TOR)
FW: Zander Cadell (TOR), Rasmus Medberg Hansen (CASK), Ysabet Belgrade (SVV)

SFS Season 18 MVP:
Adrian Klaebo (LOK)
nominated:
Rasmus Medberg Hansen (CASK)
Zander Cadell (TOR)

SFS Season 18 Golden Boot:
Rasmus Medberg Hansen (CASK, 22 goals)
Mohamed Khedira (DSJ, 20)
Jekaterina Smolov (CASK, 19)
Bogdan Rawic (LOK, 19)
Eddie Guweddeko (ESK, 17)

SFS Season 18 Golden Glove (voted by coaches, captains, and selected journalists):
Tanith Arrowsmith (DSJ, 26 votes)
Olga Valujev (CASK, 24)
Gerik Knasmuller (LOK, 5)

by **Savojarna** » Sat Dec 31, 2022 7:31 am

SFS 19 Season Preview (Part 1/2)

Metsuri Virkaja
Stadium: Metsuriala, cap. 29’600
Manager: Kiira Solvanen
Last season: 2. SFS B
Expectation: 16.-18.

Transfers in: Ilari Milvonen (RF, from AFK Savojagrad, 1.25 million NSD), Lasse Friberg (CB, Rotor Värstjö, 0.75)
Transfers out: Harald Terjeson (DM, to Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1.3 million NSD)

Metsuri Virkaja have been founded as the counterpoint to the big name in town, the Air Force backed side of Savojars Vinge. Composed of timber workers, local students at the Virkaja Higher School of Forestry and Agriculture, and farmer’s sons, the Lumberjacks have been drawing crowds of thousands in the later 20th century. The strong local affiliation stayed even as professionalisation pushed the side down solidly into the B, and they often are among the biggest SFS B crowds despite an old stadium. Now, they are coming to the top flight for the first time in over ten years, and look to make a statement. Relying on defensive tactics and traditionally fast forwards - Northlight and CASK winger Kimi Hartikainen came up through their youth system - this team gets its points through struggle and team play, and might annoy some of the big names. More than that would be a surprise, however. Still, expect large crowds and lots of passion from this team.

Support if: you’re a working-class central Sumani, you’re a lumberjack, you like scrappy underdogs
Hate if: you’re in the Air Force, you’re a card-carrying KPS member, you’re a Transport Hovikkära fan
Club icons: Irina Korpikoski, Paavo Sirkala, Kimi Hartikainen

Landsmarks Industrie
Stadium: Landsmarks Arbeternas Stadion, cap. 22’900
Manager: Harri Nikanen
Last season: SFS B Champions
Expectation: 16.-18.

Transfers in: Thorkatla Holmsdottir (LB, ESK Storevik, 0.7), Dominik Sand (RM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0), Axel Jacobsen (CB, NFA Högvald Vit, 0)
Transfers out: Harri Nikanen (RM, retirement)

Industrie are the textbook example of a Savojarsk union team. Founded from a number of neighbourhood and factory clubs in the post-revolution era, they are a no-nonsense team whose entire trophy case is basically empty. With four SFS B titles in the modern era, they are tied with Rotor Värstjö for the most titles in the second tier, which also tells you they regularly go down into that tier. Regardless, their fans are faithful, and many of their players are too, staying in the team despite relegation or poor results. They have a fierce, although one-sided rivalry with ASK Landsmark (who consider CASK their true main rival), and celebrated ASK’s relegation at least as much as their own promotion. Industrie played under Mika Aleksen for a while, using a signature brand of high pressing and aggressive football in a rigid 4-4-2. Now, former player Harri Nikanen took the helm on the sidelines, acting in a duo with U-21 coach Simonsen as a player-coach in the B and now acting as a “conventional” manager as he has his needed documents. We can expect similar football from Nikanen, who played multiple seasons under Aleksen.

Support if: you vote for the AP or Syndicalist, you grew up in North or East Landsmark, you like scrappy and confident underdogs
Hate if: you don’t have patience for relegations, you’re in the Army, you’re a Leninist
Club icons: Aleksander Teranen, Gabriel Klinger, Erling Sonderberg

RLSK Pawlograd
Stadium: Stadion Alexey Sakharov, cap. 42’860
Manager: Oleg Tekhanjov
Last season: 16.
Expectation: Relegation fight

Transfers in: Valtteri Arvonen (OM, Urrhed/CMT, 0.5), Birger Haraldsson (CM, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.2), Rasmus Pettersson (DM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0)
Transfers out: Johan Ludvigsson (ST, Admiral Storevik, 2), Jussi Pesonen (CM, Nemstvo SK, 0), Calle Vikingstad (CM, retirement), Valtteri Jovanov (DM, retirement)

RLSK Pawlograd are traditionally a Russian club, founded by local students in the middle of Savojarna’s painful debates about the identity of its Russian-speaking peoples. The student club has gained support among middle class workers and artisans, but always struggled to find a foothold in the more diverse, multicultural industrial neighbourhoods around the Pawlograd Harbour. Accordingly, their stadium is a bit more inland, located on the Northwestern sides of the city, and is a loud arena with rowdy fans and a famously overcrowded and steep standing ramp behind the Western goal. They clash with FK Torpedo Pawlograd regularly in fierce fights, and the docklands often are awash in violence after their matches; in the past, games against Sjoedrhavn teams or CASK Thorsborg were also high-risk games, but this has subsided in the last twenty years.

Support if: you speak Russian, enjoy spicy political debates, are born in North Pawlograd.
Hate if: you’re a Savojarsk nationalist, you’re a dockworker, you’re from Jaromirgrad.
Club icons: Grigori Markov, Viktor Sarrachov, Alexey Sakharov, Viktorija Petrova

Elektron Harkka
Stadium: Stadion Savojarnas Kansallinen Teknillinen Yliopisto Harkka, cap. 14’190
Manager: Ilari Matiainen
Last season: 15.
Expectation: Relegation fight

Transfers in: Grigori Savatov (LB, CASK Thorsborg U-21, 1.3), Tiril Johansen (ST, FK Odin Kjaershavn, 0.8), Jaana Vatarinen (OM, Elektron Academy, 0)
Transfers out: Joni Laurismäki (ST, Jolbonopolis United/QUE, 2), Kristian Reikkinen (RM, Bul Khungur Miners FC/TKT, 1.7), Sven Andersson (DM, Energie Thorsborg, 1)

Elektron Harkka are a fairly new addition to the Savojar pro scene, located in a remote area in Northern Sumanen that grew in the 1950s as the result of Savojar authorities starting a nuclear research program and future energy industry hub. More or less unique among Savojar teams for two reasons: First, it lacks a real organised fandom, mostly consisting of casual fans (and, as a result, sells the fewest season tickets of the whole SFS despite drawing a good amount of fans); second, it is a lower tier team that focuses on offensive football and a back three rather than the scrappy performances more typical for lower-tier sides. Elektron lack any true rivalries, which together with their special atmosphere gave them the nicknames “Cozy FC” and “Everyone’s Best Friend”. The team has an odd penchant to create surprisingly strong talent both on the pitch and on the bench, with the youth system being a focus of Elektron’s investments.

Support if: you’re a local, appreciate youth and daring tactics, don’t want to get into any debates
Hate if: you’re fond of pushing over baby prams and kicking little kittens?
Club icons: Hektor Strandt, Alexandra Tsygankov, Santtu Elioinen

FK Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, cap. 28’400
Manager: Knut Henriksen
Last season: 14.
Expectation: Relegation fight

Transfers in: Lasse Kilde (CB, FK Metall Jarnstad, 1), Johanna Olasdottir (MS, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1), Antoni Valdenberg (RM, Traktor St. Andrei, 0.75), Sven Poljava (CM, NFA Högvald Bla, 0)
Transfers out: Simon Ronnberg (RB, Vantanoch FC/TKT, 0.75), Birger Haraldsson (CM, RLSK Pawlograd, 0.2), Jens Lund (LM, Transport Hovikkära, 0.15), Trent Ullqvist (CB, retirement)

Having roots in numerous clubs of the Sjoedrhavn southside, this team has a long history despite being formally founded only in 1962. For the longest time, they were the least serious amateur side in the city, playing in changing pitches in the Docklands and mostly fielding active dockworkers. Things changed a bit in the 1980s when a growing Sjoedrhavn punk and art scene - who traditionally despise the police-backed Dynamo - got increasingly priced out of Partisan games and started going to FKS matches; at the same time, syndicalist youth groups came to watch the games of their union comrades, and FKS got a large counter-culture following. Nowadays, they play in the Stadsstadion, just a few bus stops from the Stadion Dynamo, the home of their fiercest rivals, making any concurrent home games a police nightmare. On the pitch, their success is moderate, frequently switching between SFS A and B, but they’ve produced some good players and have made a splash before. And the fans will remain, no matter where they play.

Support if: you’re a punk fan, you’re a syndicalist, you’re a Sjoedrhavn dockworker, you hate the police
Hate if: you’re a cop, you grew up north of Gröna Linje, you’re an anticommunist
Club icons: Adrian Boedker, Hjalmar Bjarnason, Knut Jensen, Fredrik Andersson

Admiral Storevik
Stadium: Marinestadion, cap. 48’000
Manager: Sven Byggsvild
Last season: 13.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Johan Ludvigsson (ST, RLSK Pawlograd, 2), Láidná Olasdottir (RM, ASK Landsmark, 1.5), Knut Jensen (RM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0)
Transfers out: Tryphon Archer (ST/NPH, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 4.5), Olafur Asgrimsson (RF, Libertas Bergheim, 2.4)

Admiral have been founded post-revolution as a continuation of earlier teams of sailors from the Savojar Navy, and have been one of the powerhouses of Savojar football almost immediately. Second to CASK only in titles in the pre-SFS era, they have taken on a reputation as eternal silver medalists in the SFS era, coming second or third multiple years in a row during the dominant times of Partisan and Lok. Still boast three SFS titles, winning the second and seventh post-reform seasons by dramatically besting the then-reigning CASK dynasty and snatching a surprising championship five years ago. However, under Quebecois coach Hwang Joon-Ho, things didn’t quite click as intended, and the Admirals are changing up things to return to the top. As behooves an old and successful club, there are numerous rivalries on Admiral’s name, most importantly with CASK Thorsborg and their sister team FK Torpedo. Locally, they are bested by ESK Storevik when it comes to fan bases, but in the suburbs of the city and the wider surroundings of Ejana, they reign strong outside of Grennvik and Kjefla, where their own local teams tend to take priority.

Support if: you’re a sailor, you are from Ejana and like success
Hate if: you’re a proud Storeviker, you have an “Ejanan Pride” sticker, you’re a CASK or Torpedo fan
Club icons: Krister Voynov, Jzeovak Vladcik, Joonas Andersson, Arvid Jotansson

Energie Thorsborg
Stadium: National Energiekollektivets Arena, cap. 48’600
Manager: Bryndis Hjörvarsdottir
Last season: 12.
Expectation: Lower midfield

Transfers in: Sven Andersson (CM, Elektron Harkka, 1), Jenny Ahlqvist (LB, Framfarir Kjefla, 0.75), Florian Franz (OM/STL, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 0.5)
Transfers out: Linus Nöysten (OM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 2)

One of Savojarna’s oldest clubs (especially away from port cities), Energie take pride in being old enough to have been a member of the very first Savojar Football Championship in pre-revolutionary days. It has been founded as a factory team for the coal plant workers of West Thorsborg, but quickly attracted players across the city as it found success in local tournaments in the late 19th century. Post-revolution, it got taken over by the Electrical Worker’s Union of Thorsborg and established itself as a midfield team with deep roots in Western Thorsborg, and a strong hatred for CASK (who prefer to focus on Admiral and ASK Landsmark). Energie had a golden period in the early SFS era, when it won the Savojarsk Cup twice and got to play internationally; this had triggered an investment flush that ended in near-bankruptcy and surprising relegation that lasted until their Season 16 title in the B. Now, the team is much more stable and humble, and still is strongly supported, although they rarely sell out their arena these days.

Support if: you’re from Western Thorsborg, you’re an anti-authoritarian Thorsborger, you’re an electrician, you like offensive athletic football
Hate if: you’re a soldier, you’re from Eastside Thorsborg or a suburb, you have weak nerves
Club icons: Valentin Ljungberg, Johanna Marqvist, Zibo Olberg, Lars Walberg

SK Cuprum Grennvik
Stadium: Cuprum Arena Football, cap. 14’700
Manager: Mikhail Trischuk (SNL)
Last season: 11.
Expectation: Lower midfield

Transfers in: Thorgeir Arnason (CB, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 2.5), Benjamin de Wahr (ST/SNL, Staramara Tech University/CMT, 0)
Transfers out: Kenneth Röysveit (CB, AFC Treason/NPH, 12), Johanna Olasdottir (MS, FK Sjoedrhavn, 1), Eyjolfur Sigfinsson (CM, EU Storevik, 0)

Hailing from a small mining town, Grennvik’s sports fans have a bit of a chip on their shoulder as Cuprum’s teams in hockey and handball, Ejana’s most popular sports, are lagging behind their rivals from Storevik and Kjefla. In football, however, they can compete with their workmanlike, often physical, and aggressive side. Cuprum’s football section used to have only a small, although dedicated, fan group; this changed when they got a surprise fourth place in Season 17 and sparked a massive football boom. Late bloomer Saevar Fyrbriggsson and young defender Kenneth Röysveit have since moved away for large sums to big clubs, giving Cuprum a newfound confidence in their players and their youth in particular. They also tend to be particularly strong at home, thanks to the fact that the Cuprum Arena is small, windy, bumpy, and uncomfortable to play at. Now, they took another interesting step by hiring former Admiral Storevik goalkeeper Mikhail Trischuk from South Newlandia as manager.

Support if: you like small town teams that overachieve, you are a fan of Mikhail Trischuk, you’re from Eastern Ejana
Hate if: you dislike physical football, you’re from Kjefla
Club icons: Bjarne Mejveldt, Saevar Fyrbriggsson, Sigurdur Hafnason

AFK Savojagrad
Stadium: NUS Pitch 1, cap. 7’100
Manager: Gennadi Velitskin
Last season: 10.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Finn Östberg (LM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 4.2), Göran Jaerbyn (RM, Anomalies/CMT, 1), Laika Perkovitsj (LB, Union Roopere, 0.6), Trofim Sergejev (DM, AFK Savojagrad Academy)
Transfers out: Alena Siroljev (CM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 2.3), Ilari Milvonen (LF, Metsuri Virkaja, 1.25), Lyn Townsend (LB/BRE, retirement), Olaf Hensberg (RM, retirement)

Few clubs have made such a change to their identity as AFK have: Founded originally pre-revolution as a club of conservative Russian students at the University of Savojagrad, they’ve been forcibly re-founded after the revolution and have been closely watched, ensuring a communist leadership. As the society of Russica opened itself after the 1970s, AFK - back then still known under its Savojarsk name of Akademiker - changed into a multicultural, vibrant club that drew fans from Savojagrad’s large creative middle class. In the SFS era, they have made a name as perennial overachievers, and became increasingly popular for their fluid, tactically intricate, offensive football; increased attention led to a renaming to the Russian-language AFK. Now, to respond to this boom, the side will play on their training and youth pitch while the NUSArena is being rebuilt into a larger stadium, adding at least 25% capacity to it. Lacking any true rivals, Savojagrad only have a friendly rivalry with both Pawlograd teams. There is a curious tendency in AFK to have a very strong traditional playmaker, a role currently filled by Vanorian Sabine Bar.

Support if: you’re a tactics nerd, you like fluid attacking football, you’re a creative worker and/or like to appear fashionably alternative
Hate if: you’re from Pawlograd (but only moderately), you think football should be direct to the goal
Club icons: Kevin Nordmark, Valtteri Lehto, Pavel Sirotkin

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:52 am

SFS 19 Season Preview (Part 2/2)

Libertas Bergheim
Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion, cap. 29’150
Manager: Lise Asbeck / Mikaela Rangren
Last season: 9.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Olafur Asgrimsson (RF, Admiral Storevik, 2.4), Valtter Marvinsson (DM/GRF, Gortz United/ASG, 0), Gennadi Labienko (ST, NFA Högvald Vit, 0)
Transfers out: Kaja Eller (ST, Falkner United/BRE, 1.5), Zacharis Sandoval (RM/CMT, Vna-Chuhul Ravens FC/TKT, 1), Heidi Jordén (DM, retirement)

Bergheim is a relatively small mountain town, but it has a long footballing tradition and early on had local investment in its sports teams. Benefitting from the fact that their stadium is small, located in altitude, and notoriously cold and loud, they leveraged their home advantages into many respectable upper midtable finishes. With the SFS approaching, they had invested in a smart scouting network and strong coaching principles, and have been rewarded with their only Savojar Championship in SFS Season 9. Since then, they have fallen down somewhat and now sit in the upper midfield again, but sit there comfortably and with an attractive football. Well-respected and liked by most other teams, Libertas are a staple of the SFS and attract a fanbase of independent-minded, left-libertarian locals that often create fantastic displays of support and occasional social and political displays.

Support if: you like offensive creative football, you’re a fan of political ultra culture
Hate if: you’re a right-winger or authoritarian communist, you’re considering football soft unless it ends with four injuries or more
Club icons: Tuomas Lajunen, Alexey Nurkanen, Sequel Bathanay

Dynamo Novaya Russica
Stadium: Stadion Dynamo, cap. 29’700
Manager: Malte Ljungberg
Last season: 8.
Expectation: Lower midfield

Transfers in: Harald Terjeson (DM, Metsuri Virkaja, 1.3), Justus Rintanen (ST, ASK Landsmark, 1), Robin Oakes (CB/TKT, Admiral Storevik, 0.3), Rikard Holberg (LB, NFA Högvald Vit, 0)
Transfers out: Amalia Tsitnikov (LB, Hope Bay/TLI, 0.5), Hjalmar Haraldsson (CB, EU Storevik, 0.3), Valeri Makanov (CM, retirement), Juri Sandrajev (ST, retirement)

Dynamo Novaya Russica are sometimes called the most disliked team in Savojarna. Rooted in the police and founded originally for policemen’s physical training, the team had a tumultuous past due to the change of the city of Novaya Russica between Savojarna and Adyatin. In the 1960s, it was a development team for the flagship Dynamo team in Sjoedrhavn, but the two decoupled over time and the association of DNR with the police somewhat went away, instead associating with the West Russica area. It helped to give Novaya Russica a local following, but many people elsewhere, especially in Russica, still hate them as a police symbol. It doesn’t help that DNR tend to play a rough, dirty, physical, and defensive game that is not doing much to earn them love from neutral fans.

Support if: you’re a policeman, you’re from West Russica, you like dirty, scrappy, defensive football
Hate if: you’re not in the police force, you’re a Dynamo Sjoedrhavn fan, you like creative play
Club icons: Tuomas Lajunen, Alexey Nurkanen, Sequel Bathanay

Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger, cap. 42’300
Manager: Sigurdur Hafnason
Last season: 7.
Expectation: Top 5

Transfers in: Tryphon Archer (ST/NPH, Admiral Storevik, 4.5), Karina Holt (RM, Delphi Lionesses/TMB, 3.25), Linus Nöysten (OM, Energie Thorsborg, 2)
Transfers out: Valtteri Silverberg (OM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 2.5), Taito Viinanen (ST, Clachonoch Rovers/CNR, 0.6)

Partisan are sometimes still derided as a plastic team, since they were formed in the 1930s as a forcible union of multiple Sjoedrhavn local teams, forced by the city government. The club succeeded in ascending to Big Four status alongside CASK, Admiral, and their local rivals Dynamo, but were traditionally the weakest of the four. Led by the local KPS elites, and supported by the creative and academic middle class of West Sjoedrhavn, Partisan have never been a popular team locally, but they attract a lot of attention through talent and star power. In the SFS era, they have been successful thanks to a transfer policy that focuses on international talent, in particular a small group of Nepharan players, and a consistent core of players that led to winning four SFS A titles and a cup. Recent dips in performance, however, have hurt the team’s fandom, and prompted a difficult rebuild.

Support if: you’re from West Sjoedrhavn, you’re a card-carrying KPS member, you’re Nepharan
Hate if: you’re from East Sjoedrhavn or the Docks, you’re a Liberal, you’re a Dynamo Sjoedrhavn fan
Club icons: Perttu Karjanen, Anders Johansson, Morten Poulsen

Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Stadium: Patrik Suhonen Stadion, cap. 52’000
Manager: Dmitri Lijushkin
Last season: 6.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Illyria Landrith (RB/NPH, Sabrefell Athletic/NPH, 2), Pernilla Haverby (LB, Rotor Värstjö Academy, 0.8), Tommi Surmelainen (CB, SVV Academy, 0), Johanna Widerström (RB, SVV Academy, 0)
Transfers out: Johan Likdahl (RB, CASK Thorsborg, 1.7), Patrik Paasio (OM, ESK Storevik, 1), Ylvi Sootala (CB, retirement), Helge Ahling (LB, retirement)

Following the tradition of the Navy’s Admiral and the Army’s CASK (and, at the time, the Officer Corps’s Spartak I.F.), the Air Force Captain Patrik Suhonen convinced his superiors of the need to found a sports club for the Air Force. With the nascent Savojar Air Force having a major base in Virkaja, and no other state-backed team playing in Sumanen, the team was founded in 1946 as the Savojar Air Force Sports Club (SFIF) Virkaja, representing the Air Force in football and hockey. It added more sports sections, including individual sports, in 1952 and rebranded to Savojars Vinge (Wing of the Savojars), and developed a solid upper midfield position. Its fans are often fickle, swinging between swooning and fawning over a side that often plays technical, fluid, and offensive football, and dismissing a team that is just as known for “dying in beauty”. Known for being the only military team that does not face much hatred from their local rivals, as both SVV and Metsuri play each other rarely and much prefer to band together against any Hovikkära teams.

Support if: you really like fighter jets, you’re into technical and offensive football, you’re also a hockey fan
Hate if: you’re from Hovikkära, you’re in another branch of the army, you despise teams willing to use money
Club icons: Lenka Otalainen, Thorbjörn Vukkila, Ylvi Sootala

ESK Storevik
Stadium: Ejansk Stadion, 41’000
Manager: Alexey Jotanov
Last season: 5.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Daniel Godijn (DM/TLI, Blackheath/TLI, 2.5), Ekaterina Antonov (LB, CASK Thorsborg, 1.7), Patrik Paasio (OM, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1), Halldor Palsson (RB, ESK Storevik U-21, 0)
Transfers out: Gudjohn Magnusson (RB, Ulsa/EUR, 6.2), Lipa Kuznetsov (RM, Knetyohai City/CMT, 2.5), Thorkatla Holmsdottir (LB, Landsmarks Industrie, 0.7), Tuomas Lajunen (ST, retirement), Thorwulf Baldvinsson (DM, retirement)

Dockworkers have been big in the development of football in Savojarna, and Storevik is no exception. Together with local community teams, Storevik had a lively football scene in the 1940s, but focused on city and island championships. As the national championship became more and more consuming, the city’s authorities founded the Ejanan Sports Club of Storevik, or short ESK, to put a truly Ejanan club opposite the national outlook of Admiral Storevik. Unlike other similar teams like Partisan, ESK did not absorb local teams, leading to Storevik being disproportionately represented in lower tiers; instead, the city’s best players were offered to play for the team and supported from other Ejanan teams. Over time, ESK developed into an upper midfield side that is well supported across the island, with the exception of Admiral supporters, and seen as somewhat of a national team for the whole island, to the point where many Ejanan fans support them as a secondary team.

Support if: you’re from Ejana, you like underdogs with a good fighting chance, you’re into handball (and not a BHK Kjefla fan)
Hate if: you’re an Admiral Storevik fan, you’re a BHK Kjefla handball fan, you’re a right-winger
Club icons: Freya Sigurdsdottir, Fridtjof Hrolfrsson, Halldor Parvin

FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Stadium: Stadion Admiral Rjurden, cap. 52’000
Manager: Aleksi Matiainen
Last season: 4.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Valtteri Silverberg (OM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 2.5)
Transfers out: Kjetil Borkerud (LM, Jarov Jarovsk, 0)

Torpedo have been established in the aftermath of the Second Adyatinian War, when the Savojar government wanted to strengthen the presence of “communist” institutions in Russica. One of those institutions was the navy base in the Pawlograd harbour, and with the formation of ASK Landsmark as a secondary team for the Army threatening to tip the scales in this ever-precious rivalry, FK Torpedo were established to provide a similar structure for the Navy. Unlike ASK, the team was actually embraced by the dockworkers, who always felt somewhat left out by the traditional force of the city, the elitist and nationalist RLSK. As a result, Torpedo have a fervent fanbase that often clashes violently with its Russian neighbours, as well as a fickle management and media landscape that is often equally quick to elevate and tear down coaches - leading to a messy history of inconsistent results.

Support if: you’re in the Navy (and not an Admiral fan), you’re a Pawlograd dockworker, you like chaotic entertainment
Hate if: you’re a Russian nationalist (especially if you’re an RLSK fan), you’re in the Army, you’re from Savojagrad and value friendly rivalries
Club icons: Mirka Ceciu, Vitali Zhirkov, Markus Mellin

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Stadion Dynamo, cap. 35’000
Manager: Seneca Matthews (NPH)
Last season: 3.
Expectation: Title challenger

Transfers in: Ottilia Hjort (ST/SRS, Barossia United/NPH, 6), Siobhan Conville (RM/TKT, Port Rhovanyon AFC/TKT, 1.4)
Transfers out: Giovanna Vitale (RM/SVG, Nazionale Acqui Bollente/SVG, undisclosed), Louise Barton (LB/NPH, retirement)

Dynamo were founded in 1923 as the national performance centre for athletic police members, and quickly fielded a competitive football team that could act as the number three behind Admiral and CASK. However, they have a reputation as eternal seconds and chokers: In the Cup, they were in the finals eight times but only won three; in the championship, they hovered in second, third, and fourth places often, but only won one title in the SFS era (in season 16). The SFS era coincided with a brief weakness in Dynamo, who struggled with a generational shift and a few talents not making their breakthrough, but now they are firmly established as part of the new Big Five teams, having pushed out Libertas Bergheim from the top. A lot of their success came from being open to signing abroad, creating a multicultural team with many nationalities represented. Their fans are reputed to be bandwagoners, but the stadium is often filled anyway thanks to its low capacity, and known to be very loud due to its uniquely steep and reflecting architecture.

Support if: you like the police, you’re from the Northeast Sjoedrhavn elites, you like foreign stars
Hate if: you’re an FK Sjoedrhavn fan, you despise bandwagon fans, you think ACAB (no, not the Acqui Bollente one)
Club icons: Aleksander Teranen, Linne Kjaer, Niklas Hoyberg

Lokomotive Jarnstad
Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Järnsvägen, cap. 53’800
Manager: Madison Bilboa (CMT)
Last season: 2.
Expectation: Title challenger

Transfers in: Reid Gomez (ST/SNL, St. John’s Arsenal/QUE, 6), Tessa Bjarnesen (LF/PFA, Barossia United/NPH, 4.25), Alena Siroljev (CM, AFK Savojagrad, 2.3), Petter Svidbeck (GK, Lokomotive Jarnstad U-21, 0)
Transfers out: Finn Östberg (LM, AFK Savojagrad, 4.2), Thorgeir Arnason (CB, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 2.5), Florian Franz (OM/STL, Energie Thorsborg, 0.5), Ake Ericsson (LM, retirement)

The younger and more successful team in Jarnstad, unsurprisingly, these guys have a major rivalry with their neighbours over at Metall and took great joy in Metall’s fall to the second tier. The club was founded in 1929 by the Jarnstad Railway Worker’s Union, which represented both operational workers in the region as well as many of the rail construction workers. Being rooted in local workers, they have a lot of support in the city and surroundings, and the Jarnstad derby is one of the few local Savojar rivalries that is neither class-based nor ethnic. Instead, they represent two different groups of workers; however, since the railways receive much more support and funding from the state than the miners that make up Metall, Lok are sometimes seen as a state team in denial. Their fans, however, fiercely disagree and take major pride in their SFS A Season 6 championship, which marked the first time a union team won the national championship since its consolidation in the 1940s.

Support if: you’re a railway worker or train enthusiast, you want to support a successful union team
Hate if: you’re a miner or Metall fan, you want to see reckless offence
Club icons: Ivan Grivoshenko, Esko Nurminen, Henrik Ljurbyn

CASK Thorsborg
Stadium: Stadion General Hardén, cap. 62’000
Manager: Johnny MacDonald (SCT)
Last season: Champion
Expectation: Title challenger

Transfers in: Johan Likdahl (RB, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1.7), Roman Igrinjev (ST, ASK Landsmark, 1.2)
Transfers out: Anna Letov (CB, Vermillion Rage/NPH, 2.5), Ekaterina Antonov (LB, ESK Storevik, 1.7), Denis Sjavopalov (ST, Langlois Oceanic/KSK, 1)

The ultimate superlative of Savojar football: Record champions with 28 national championships; record champions of the SFS era with seven SFS A titles, Savojarna’s first and only IFCF title-holder after winning the IFCF 12 Champions League, and the team that has seven players who represented Savojarna at the last Copa Rushmori - only two less than the entirety of the rest of the SFS A combined. The superlatives continue off the field: their stadium, the Stadion General Hardén, is the largest stadium in the SFS A, outmatched only by the Nationalstadion Carl Gustaf Bjurman, which is not used by any club. CASK have been founded in 1916 as a team for the Savojar Army, and immediately dominated alongside Admiral Storevik thanks to being able to conscript talents into the Army and force them to play for CASK. As a result, CASK are beloved within the army, respectfully hated in other state institutions, and loathed by all union team fans in the country. As a leftover of that heritage, they still understand themselves as a decidedly Savojar club, refusing to sign foreign players with few exceptions.

Support if: you want the maximum success, you are a soldier not stationed in Landsmark, you like being called plastic
Hate if: you support literally any other team. But particularly if you’re in the Navy, you’re from Landsmark, or you want to see giants fall
Club icons: Petteri Hytönen, Thomas Larsen, Valter Birja, Artjom Revalov

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jan 10, 2023 3:33 am

SFS A Season 19 - Part 1/4

IFCF qualifiers
Champions League
Second Round
St Thomas (TLI) 0-5 Lokomotive Jarnstad (0-3, 0-2)
Third Round
Lokomotive Jarnstad 4-3 Asbury Park FC (CBP) (1-1, 3-2)
Playoff Round
1896 Ebor (MYT) 4-5 Lokomotive Jarnstad (2-1, 2-4)

Challengers Cup
First Round
Spartansburg City (SQR) 3-4 ESK Storevik (1-1, 2-3)
Pesfield Trees (SYL) 2-5 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (1-2, 1-3)
Second Round
Mazhny Park Severoyarsk (PYA) 2-5 ESK Storevik (2-3, 0-2)
Lexington Victory (NGD) 1-4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (0-0, 1-4)
Third Round
Bikarish (PFA) 0-5 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (0-4, 0-1)
Olympic Nangang (YZH) 2-2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (0-1, 2-1; 4-3 pen)
Futsworth United (SAT) 2-4 ESK Storevik (1-1, 1-3)
Fourth Round
ESK Storevik 4-5 FC Yassaca (SRS) (2-3, 2-2)
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0-3 Cednia Beach AFC (TUR) (0-2, 0-1)

Matchday 1
CASK Thorsborg 2–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ESK Storevik 1–1 Metsuri Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Energie Thorsborg 1–1 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
Elektron Harkka 1–4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–1 AFK Savojagrad

As is tradition, vice champions Lok Jarnstad travel to the defending champions CASK for the opening game of the season. Not much has changed in CASK’s team, which is still spearheaded by Rasmus Medberg Hansen and Katja Smolov; however, Lok have undergone serious changes: Moving to a two-man screening midfield and dodging the classical playmaker, they focus even more on Adrian Klaebo than before; on top of that, they revampd their attack with Poafmersian left winger Tessa Bjarnesen and South Newlandian striker Reid Gomez. And it’s the new winger Bjarnesen who takes a long ball from Klaebo to get past Halvorsen and cross in to Trikhichev at the second post for the first goal of the game. CASK do manage to equalise, but in the last minutes before the end of the game, Anna Guweddeko overlaps to tap in a Nikolaj Poulsen cross. The game looks decided when joker Elvers scores a late goal, but with only four minutes to go, Arnar Jonsson finds the 2-3; despite hectic attacks, CASK do not manage to tie. Elsewhere, promotees Metsuri Virkaja are sniffing on a sensation, leading ESK Storevik following a first half goal on a counter by Paavo Sirkala; however, a handball by Harri Mattula gives ESK a penalty that Eirikur Sigurds converts for the equaliser. Finally, last season’s third-placed Dynamo Sjoedrhavn have upgraded again by signing Ottilia Hjort away from Nephara’s Barossia United for six million; it immediately pays off as Hjort scores in their 4-1 victory over Elektron Harkka.

Matchday 2
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
Libertas Bergheim 3–2 Elektron Harkka
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 4–0 Landsmarks Industrie
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 Energie Thorsborg
Metsuri Virkaja 0–1 Admiral Storevik
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–2 ESK Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–1 FK Sjoedrhavn

FK Torpedo Pawlograd have been last season’s surprise team, but lost their opener to Partisan thanks to a goal by trusty talisman Traudl Mrdja. Now, they are bouncing back in a violent Pawlograd derby. Only seven minutes in, RLSK defender Alexander Samenkov straight up jumps into the legs of Zander Cadell and is booked; ten minutes later, Birger Haraldsson cynically fouls Kenna-Tang and there are mutual bookings as Solfrid Overby nearly punches him in the face. In the end, there are 12 bookings and a red card on the books, and a win for Torpedo as Serebrjakov knocks on a free kick for the sole goal of the game. Defending champions CASK win their first match of the season, as they are defeating Savojars Vinge Virkaja with a booming long shot from Ilikin that is deflected into the own goal by SVV centre-back Mortensen. Finally, in the second derby of the week, Dynamo are facing off against FK Sjoedrhavn and go behind in the first half as Halvard Aalgren makes a late run and gets a good pass from Olasdottir to slot it past Tanith Arrowsmith. But Dynamo come back with a vengeance, and new signing Hjort misses the equaliser narrowly before the break; right after, her teammate Khedira chips a pass from the midfield over an opponent and shoots it dryly into the bottom left. Siobhan Riordan, the other new signing of Dynamo, gets her first goal involvement too as the Tikariotan right winger plays a clever pass back onto Tretjakov, who scores from seventeen metres.

Matchday 3
ESK Storevik 2–0 CASK Thorsborg
Admiral Storevik 3–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Energie Thorsborg 3–1 Metsuri Virkaja
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Landsmarks Industrie 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Elektron Harkka 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Libertas Bergheim
AFK Savojagrad 2–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad

ESK Storevik have changed up their coach and their system over the summer as Rune Zackrisson finally went into well-deserved retirement. His successor Jotanov decided to use the screening duo Christian and Ylsdottir to shield new signing Daniel Godijn, and the defensive midfielder from the Licentian Isles proves his worth neutralising Arnar Jonsson and launching two dangerous counters. First, Varauskas cuts inside to open up a gap for rightback Halldor Palsson, and Halldor’s cross finds Eirikur Sigurds in the centre; then, Guweddeko - playing as a hanging striker - scores himself from fifteen metres to sink the big favourite CASK. Over in Harkka, Tryphon Archer shows his new team Partisan Sjoedrhavn that signing him was a good choice: Having been scoreless so far in this season, the Nepharan striker finds a bounce 27 minutes into the game and punches it past Kaspars Żalgiris. Then, in the second half, he finds himself in a heading duel with Justiina Tapio, but takes the right choice by heading sideways to the approaching Mrdja, who scores off the pass of her countryman. Finally, on Sunday night, SVV are taking on vice champions Lok Jarnstad. Playing with their dangerous flanks pushed up, Lok are ripping apart Savojars Vinge with two goals in the first half hour: Tessa Bjarnesen swings inside to score her first goal in the Lok dress, and South Newlandian Reid Gomez gets his second as a long ball by Klaebo finds him perfectly and he fends off Mortensen to get into the box and score. A tired-looking SVV have to give up the game as Lok are taking a clean win.

Matchday 4
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–3 AFK Savojagrad
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 Elektron Harkka
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–3 Landsmarks Industrie
Metsuri Virkaja 1–3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–3 Energie Thorsborg
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–2 ESK Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 1–1 Admiral Storevik

A week full of highlights begins with a tight, but scoreless game: Lok Jarnstad face off Dynamo Sjoedrhavn in a duel of two teams that often prefer to be playing on the counter. The guests make the game and get some good chances, with both Khedira and Hjort missing a good chance before Trikhichev sets up Gomez for a goal, but is shown offside on the video. The last good shot goes to Lok’s joker Henrik Elvers, but Tanith Arrowsmith punches it away to save the draw for Lok. Over in Sjoedrhavn, Partisan are meeting FK Sjoedrhavn for the friendliest of the three Sjoedrhavn Derbies. The game is surprisingly entertaining as Chandra Rosziter relentlessly drives Parti forwards, but FKS hold against it and counter over their wings. However, the attacks over Trine Mortensen’s right side are too predictable, and eventually, leftback Bjarnfinnr Arnason takes the ball off her and sends it long to Nygaard, and the ball finds Ola Lapanen for the single goal. Finally, the curtains lift for a much less friendly derby in Thorsborg: An angry, shaken CASK meet an Admiral that is full of confidence after three wins in the first three games. The Thorsborgers are trying to change up things, subbing out Janna Sauthier for Johan Larsson and Vikborg for Pohjanainen, and after a scoreless first half Holtby comes on for an invisible Katja Smolov. However, the changes seem to not help and Erkalainen finds a pass back to Ola-Mikko Virttu, whose shot finds the goal; with Witchstone and Grysai locking down the midfield, the game seems lost for CASK. At least a late solo effort from the Medberg Hansen prevents the loss, but CASK still have won only one game while the draw means Partisan take the sole lead.

Matchday 5
ESK Storevik 3–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Energie Thorsborg 1–1 CASK Thorsborg
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Landsmarks Industrie 0–0 Metsuri Virkaja
Elektron Harkka 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–3 RLSK Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Libertas Bergheim

It’s another derby week as Energie Thorsborg host local rivals and “big brother rival” CASK. The biggest fight of the season for Energie, but a significantly less important game for the Army side, if it wasn’t for their recent struggles that make everyone sit on edge. The situation seems to make them sharp as new striker Roman Igrinjev scores a leading goal, but Energie are giving it back as Vikborg is too slow on an offside trap and allows Valentina Torsenkov to run deep on the right wing before passing inside for Borgen to score. Elsewhere, AFK Savojagrad are taking on a big test: following their loss to FK Sjoedrhavn on the first day, the Academics won three consecutive games and take on Partisan Sjoedrhavn, who are yet to concede a goal. And indeed, Alyssa Broad and Sven Vikarby do a great job again of almost man-marking AFK’s two strikers, with Chandra Rosziter not only neutralising Sabine Bar but also launching dangerous counters. Robin Norderberg and Linus Nöysten both narrowly miss goals, and Rosziter herself manages a long shot that Erland Lerum just about punches out for a corner. In the end, Partisan still haven’t conceded a goal in the season, but they get their first bloody nose as AFK hold them to a scoreless draw. In the last game of the week, Libertas Bergheim are travelling to Sjoedrhavn to play against a Dynamo whose season has been up and down, characterised by struggles to find the right system. They stumble again this time as the game is neutralising itself for 70 minutes, but then, a quick combo of Valtter Marvinsson, Wen Xiaohui and Andrea Vithoulkas brings the Yuezhou midfielder into a 1v1 against Arrowsmith. Wen dodges the duel with a pass sideways, allowing an empty goal tap-in for Knud Vingegaard and a win for Libertas.

Savojarsk Cup Preliminary Round
SK Marjanoli 0–1 Imperial Storevik
Birga IF 2–1 Jon Palsson IF Ljörvik
International Johnsberg 1–0 Ostemkin Revolution
Aurum Kjefla 4–4 SFK Barjovo (5–4 AET)
Hallsberga Vikingur 0–0 Högvald FK (1–1 AET) (6–5 pen.)
RFK Storevik 2–3 Bjurman Mävle
Virovsk St. Andrei 2–0 FK Freya Grennvik
Victoria Haukkala 0–0 Virkaja 1914 FK (0–0 AET) (6–5 pen.)
SK Ullström 2–1 Juventus Bergheim
Grigori Kartjov FK St. Pjotr 1–3 FF Parken Sjoedrhavn
Frisks IF "Admiral Grön" 0–1 FK Vestermalm Thorsborg
Trollsheim Jarnsmän 2–1 Thor Sejersheim

In the preliminary round, only featuring regional division teams, there are no big scalps to be taken yet. But that doesn’t stop Aurum Kjefla and SFK Barjovo to play an incredible match that goes back and forth. Aurum are taking the lead twice and get equalised twice, before Barjovo’s Juri Sobtjak runs away with the game. The tall striker escapes twice to set the score to 2-4, but Kjefla are persistent and fight back; in extra time, 17 year old winger Haukur Pettersson scores the fifth goal of the game to end the round’s most dramatic game with a 5-4 after extra time. RFK Storevik, who have upset two professional teams last season and reached the octofinals, are falling against Bjurman Mävle - perhaps a consequence of their keeper, the former SFS B veteran Timofei Saskarov, having retired after last season. There’s also two shootouts, both going dramatically late, and the twelve amateur teams to go into the first main round are known.

Matchday 6
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
ESK Storevik 3–3 Admiral Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 0–2 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Metsuri Virkaja 0–0 Elektron Harkka
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–1 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

Two more derbies are on the cards. In Storevik, ESK are facing off against Admiral, both under new leadership and both with solid starts to the season. Admiral are second on even points with Partisan; ESK are in fourth with no loss to their name so far. The hosts are coming out firing, with Godijn playing two magistral passes to a wide drifting Ignas Varauskas; the first one is fired into the stands, but for the second attempt he sends off Eirikur Sigurds into a 1v1 against Mucic that the striker converts. Unfortunately for ESK, Admiral tie off a Palina Leopold solo, but a splendid header from Ylsdottir off a corner leads to a lead at half time. Varauskas does get a goal himself too to set the score to 3-1, but then, Admiral fight back with vigour. First, Erkalainen fends off Halldors challenge for the ball and crosses in for Parvin to clear, but Arianna Berger scores from range. Then, with only a few minutes left, Hrafnar Kolbeinnsson is launching himself into the air only to get knocked over for a penalty that is converted by an ice cold Ola-Mikko Virttu, equalising in the last minutes for Admiral. The other derby over in Sjoedrhavn is much less of a highlight generating spectacle, but it’s no less strong in terms of the football shown as the two teams neutralise each other perfectly. Traudl Mrdja appears to have a perfect chance as Holt sends her a long ball, but Tanith Arrowsmith somehow gets her shin on the ball, launching it over the bar. On the other end, Pickton’s cross is narrowly missed by two strikers and in the second half, a brief moment of cheer is quickly interrupted as Ottilia Hjort’s goal was scored from an offside position. As a result, Partisan still are unbeaten and have not conceded, sitting atop the table; Dynamo float in ninth with a lot of fighting to do.

Matchday 7
Energie Thorsborg 1–2 ESK Storevik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 CASK Thorsborg
Elektron Harkka 2–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–2 Metsuri Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 1–4 Lokomotive Jarnstad

Elektron Harkka and SK Cuprum have surprised in the past two seasons, punching above their weights and in the case of Cuprum even reaching the Challengers’ Cup qualifiers. Now, they are struggling, sitting in 18th and 14th respectively. In their duel, Elektron try to set the pace early on but fail to get past Cuprum’s tight defences; 35 minutes in, Tepparainen escapes on the wing and crosses in for de Wahr to find the ball and score the first goal of the game. But Elektron don’t give up, and following a Henrik Zenqvist free kick, the tall defender Alatalo rises up to deflect it past Pavarenko for the equaliser. In the final twenty minutes, Cuprum look knocked out; with their opposition getting slow, Tiril Johansen finds a gap and scores her first SFS A goal to give Elektron their first win of the season. Another side faces their first defeat as Partisan are defeated by the Libertas press, with the first and only goal falling fifty-eight minutes in as a pass by David Sjostakovitsj is intercepted by Valter and sent back quickly, via the left side of Liam Trout, to be converted by Vithoulkas. Partisan struggle as they see a foul in Trout getting past Boissonault and later get a possible penalty denied, but as the result stands they lose their first game. This allows Admiral to take the lead if they beat Lok Jarnstad, but there is no hope from the beginning: Within 25 minutes, Klaebo has out-maneuvred the Admiral defence with a long ball three times. One of them is missed by Trikhichev, but Bjarnesen once sets up Gomez for the goal and another leads to a corner that Roman Sadionov heads in. In the end, Elvers and Trikhichev score too, leading to a 4-1 victory over an Admiral that only gets a goal of honour at the end of the game.

Matchday 8
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Metsuri Virkaja 0–2 AFK Savojagrad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
CASK Thorsborg 5–1 Elektron Harkka
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 5–0 Landsmarks Industrie
ESK Storevik 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Libertas Bergheim, playing their first game as new leaders of the SFS A, are getting a challenge with the tough to break RLSK Pawlograd, who hunker down with five men at the back and dedicate their two central midfielders Mjosov and Birger to man-mark the duo of Arkanin and Wen. As a result, there are barely any real chances, and at the end of the first half RLSK almost score, but Litmanen’s countering attempt goes over the bar. In the end, it’s a foul after a long ball that sets up a penalty for Arkanin, and the captain puts it home for Libertas’ winner. On the bottom of the table, Savojars Vinge Virkaja are still winless due to a combo of bad luck with two early injuries and some near misses, and a few poor showings. Now, they are coming to change this in a massive exploit: a brutal 5-0 defeat of Landsmarks Industrie, who are pushing up heavily and leaving a lot of space for Ysabet Belgrade, Markus Packard-Grey, and Harald Bjergsen to rush deep and cause havoc for Industrie. With Voynov on the bench until the last few minutes, SVV rush down their opposition with unpredictable play and leave no doubt about their victory. Finally, Lok Jarnstad, vice champion placed seventh, take on the well-starting Partisan Sjoedrhavn - and show that Parti still struggle offensively. With Lapanen injured after a persistent muscular issue flared up again, and Poulsen struggling to find his form, a lot hinges on the Nepharim up top, but Tryphon Archer and Traudl Mrdja can’t do it all alone against their countryman in the Lok goal. Instead, Lok are sitting back to absorb that pressure, and counter quickly to take a lead late in the first half as Trikhichev smashes the ball under the bar. A goal after a corner ends the hopes of Partisan, dealing them their second loss in the season.

Savojarsk Cup First Round

Upsets and close calls:
Norrhavn FK 4–4 Admiral Storevik (4–4 AET) (3–4 pen.)
Mir Nestrovo 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Pawlograd Marina 1–1 Landsmarks Industrie (1–2 AET)
Aurum Kjefla 2–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik (3–3 AET) (4–2 pen.)
FF Parken Sjoedrhavn 0–0 CASK Thorsborg (0–1 AET)
Zenit Jegrava 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica (0–0 AET) (4–3 pen.)
SK Ullström 2–2 Libertas Bergheim (3–3 AET) (3–5 pen.)

SFS A duels:
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad (1–0 AET)
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Metsuri Virkaja

It’s the year of the underdogs, at least as far as the first round is concerned. While the draw looked good for the top flight - only two direct duels - the underdogs are striking back. The most eye-catching one here is for sure Aurum Kjefla. Having needed a spectacular extra time win to get past another amateur side in the first round, they are putting on pressure on an admittedly heavily rotated SK Cuprum, and lead 2-0 by half time after goals from preliminary round hero Haukur and the diminutive playmaker Helga Jonsdottir. But then, Cuprum bring out some bigger guns: De Wahr scores the first goal, and Leda Fjodorov equalises; both of them only came in at half time. A goal by Ansgar Lundvik appears to let the Grennvikers get away with it, but Aurum equalise again and manage to win in the shootout after Lundvik’s attempt is saved by Aurum’s Eirikur Gylfison and Bryggveld shoots over the bar. The SFS B’s Zenit Jegrava also gets to penalties through sheer obstinate defence (and the offensive impotence of Dynamo Novaya Russica) and see young keeper talent Ruslan Hatarin save two attempts to upset DNR. Libertas and Admiral also need penalties after chaotic matches, with Admiral’s backup keeper Egan Tilmans letting through four goals before thanking his post in the shootout as it stops the attempt of Norrhavn veteran Arttu Soro. Perhaps the biggest upset, however, is one that doesn’t quite come to fruition: FF Parken Sjoedrhavn, a diminutive amateur side from Northeast Sjoedrhavn, take on CASK and park their bus hard. Led by former professional Ingmar Blint, and supported with a 20 year old Högvald graduate in the defensive midfielder Ole Setarinen, they hold the defending champions for 113 minutes before Tuomela is faster than any defender and finds Lasse Holtby for the golden goal.

Matchday 9
Energie Thorsborg 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Landsmarks Industrie 1–1 ESK Storevik
Elektron Harkka 0–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–3 CASK Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Metsuri Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 3–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–0 Admiral Storevik

Savojars Vinge have spent seven games waiting for a win, but then, coach Lijushkin appears to have find the solution: Do not play Krister Voynov. The trio of Belgrade on the left, Packard-Grey on the right, and in the centre the taller Bjergsen gives them a level of unpredictability and speed, and with Paasio keeping it together in the middle, Elektron struggle to choose when to move up and when not. As a result, gaps open, and twenty minutes in Belgrade uses one to cut through and score the already decisive leading goal. AFK Savojagrad remain in second place, unassumingly winning the games they have to win and managing to get some valuable points against the favourites. Today, they continue to push forward by beating SK Cuprum Grennvik through a composed performance, not opening up at the back, particularly thanks to Finn Östberg tracking back well. In the end, there’s a goal as Jaerbyn finds a good pass to the centre, where Nichajev pushes the ball past Pavarenko for the single goal of the game. A setback comes to Admiral Storevik, who are facing off against their sister team FK Torpedo. Placed 6th and 3rd respectively, the two teams are not giving each other much room, but only Torpedo have Anselmo Viera. The Ko-orenite winger gets past Dubois relatively easy, using a lapse of judgement in the Savigliane leftback; while he doesn’t get past the leg of Dmitriev, he does get a penalty. Emma Kenna-Tang steps up, glances to the left side, and calmly places the ball flat next to the post. Torpedo, now full of confidence, almost oversteps, but Sergey Sharin stops Láidnás cross before it reaches Ludvigsson in the centre. After the break, an early shot from Serebrjakov breaks all resistance even though he misses high. Ten minutes later, Silverberg pushes a ball over the line for the 2-0 and ends the derby.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Libertas Bergheim            9    7   0   2    13    7   +6    21
 2 AFK Savojagrad               9    6   2   1    12    3   +9    20
 3 FK Torpedo Pawlograd         9    6   2   1    10    2   +8    20
 4 Lokomotive Jarnstad          9    6   1   2    17    8   +9    19
 5 ESK Storevik                 9    4   5   0    16   10   +6    17
 6 Partisan Sjoedrhavn          9    5   2   2     9    3   +6    17
 7 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn            9    4   3   2    10    6   +4    15
 8 Admiral Storevik             9    4   3   2    14   14    0    15
 9 CASK Thorsborg               9    4   2   3    16    9   +7    14
10 Energie Thorsborg            9    2   5   2    15   13   +2    11
11 Savojars Vinge Virkaja       9    2   2   5    10   12   −2     8
12 RLSK Pawlograd               9    2   2   5     6    8   −2     8
13 SK Cuprum Grennvik           9    2   2   5    11   16   −5     8
14 Landsmarks Industrie         9    2   2   5     6   16  −10     8
15 Metsuri Virkaja              9    1   3   5     5   12   −7     6
16 Dynamo Novaya Russica        9    1   3   5     3   10   −7     6
17 FK Sjoedrhavn                9    2   0   7     5   16  −11     6
18 Elektron Harkka              9    1   1   7     6   19  −13     4

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jan 17, 2023 3:04 pm

SFS A Season 19 - Part 2/4

Matchday 10
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Metsuri Virkaja 1–3 Libertas Bergheim
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 1–2 Elektron Harkka
Admiral Storevik 3–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Energie Thorsborg 2–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
CASK Thorsborg 3–2 AFK Savojagrad

Dynamo Novaya Russica were looking to have another quietly good season after some clever transferring moves… until it all fell apart fairly quickly, managing only three goals in the first nine games, and struggling in 16th place. Today is not much different as Partisan Sjoedrhavn keep finding their footing, and more importantly their formation as they shift to a Nepharim two-top of Mrdja and Archer, with the right side manned by Karina Holt. The result? Each of the two gets a goal in the first half before sitting back and shifting to defence for the second half and coasting to a 2-0 win against an utterly harmless DNR. ESK Storevik are the last team to still be unbeaten (although with five draws to their name), but now are subject to spectacular second-half reversing of fortunes against last-placed Elektron Harkka. A seemingly comfortable 1-0 win slips away after a clumsy challenge from Amanda Braaten leading to the equaliser scored per penalty, and then an injury time header by the tall centreback Santtu Alatalo for Elektron’s second win of the season. Finally, CASK Thorsborg are facing second-placed AFK Savojagrad in a spectacular match. A short-range tap-in by Nichajev is the only goal in the first half, but then, things pick up fast: Medberg Hansen scores just four minutes after the break, and then, Arnar Jonsson turns a free kick spectacularly into the top left corner. With the score reversed, CASK pick up speed even more and counter out AFK’s attack, and Katya Smolov takes a long cross from Klaey past Jokelainen and gently lifts the ball over the charging Erland Lerum into the goal. The score set at 3-1, AFK still have a bit short of 30 minutes to revert fortunes, and they throw everything forward. But in the end, it’s just not enough despite a late header by Jebatsenko.

IFCF Group Stage
Arlington City (ZWZ) 1-3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
CASK Thorsborg 1-4 Montreal Koreana (QUE)
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1-1 Strathcona Intls (KSK)
Athletique Alexandrie (PTR) 0-4 CASK Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1-2 Fontvielle Impact (VLD)
CASK Thorsborg 2-1 Megabrantid SC (SRS)

CASK’s quest to defend their Champions League title starts off poorly as the Thorsborgers drown at home. Starting out nervously, they go behind quickly against Quebecois side Montreal Koreana, and never recover despite a spectacular goal by Smolov, taking the ball past an opponent in the air and scoring directly. They strike back away at Athletique Alexandrie with a double by Medberg Hansen, and most importantly, an important victory home win against Megabrantid SC. The victory is keeping them in the running, tied with Koreana, and on course to reach the knockouts once more.
Lok Jarnstad start out great, with Reid Gomez playing a key role in their win over Arlington City away, but then, it gets worse. Against Strathcona Intls from Kelssek, they keep a lead until the final stages before a mistake throws it all away, and against Fontvielle Impact the Jarnstaders take twenty poor minutes and manage to fall behind 0-2 before coming back at least with one goal. Inconsistencies that are not justifiable on the IFCF level put the Jarnstaders on the back foot early.

Matchday 11
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Landsmarks Industrie 5–3 Energie Thorsborg
Elektron Harkka 2–2 Admiral Storevik
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–0 ESK Storevik
AFK Savojagrad 3–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 1–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Metsuri Virkaja
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 CASK Thorsborg

Landsmarks Industrie against Energie Thorsborg, with both on their best form, can be an exhilarating back and forth. In this case, parts of both teams are on their best form: the offensive parts of both sides play great, but in the back, it’s a free for all. Energie leftback Aiden Halstro manages to be caught out in offence not once but twice, allowing Fridrika Haakonsdottir to score the first goal herself; for the second one, Fridrika taps it back to Persson for a cross that is headed in by Bergquist. On the other end, neither Fischer nor Posjenko covers Victoria Borgen as she runs deep and taps the ball past the keeper. With a penalty on each side on top, and a long shot by Mészáros ending up in the goal seemingly at random, it’s 4-2 for Industrie. Then, Energie midfielder Tarje Sandbeck plays a long ball to Torsenkov, whose cutback to Franz leads to the 4-3; and ten minutes later Metalkov equalises… from an offside position. Three minutes later, Vaitanen scores the 5-3 and that’s the end of a spectacular game. Unfortunately, none of the other games hold up, including the 2-2 between Elektron Harkka and Admiral Storevik, since the four goals are just the result of bad goalkeeping on both ends. Dynamo Sjoedrhavns meetup with CASK Thorsborg is left as the most interesting game simply by virtue of the pedigree of both sides. However, with Tanith Arrowsmith being a brilliant keeper and Brynjar Hatun playing a strong match, the teams cancel each other out. Alexander Ilikin also proves his value by completely neutralising Tretjakov; on the other end, Medberg Hansen is unable to ever get past Pala. The result is a festival for coaches and tactics nerds, but a boring 0-0 for everyone else.

Savojarsk Cup Round 2

Upsets and close calls
Rotor Värstjö (SFS B) 1-0 Landsmarks Industrie
Aurum Kjefla (Regional Div 1A) 4-3 Energie Thorsborg
SK Sjöveld (Nationalligaen) 1–1 ESK Storevik (1–1 AET) (4–2 pen.)
FK Odin Kjaershavn (SFS B) 0-1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
SFS A duels
Libertas Bergheim 0-1 CASK Thorsborg

Matchday 12
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Metsuri Virkaja 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
Admiral Storevik 4–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Energie Thorsborg 3–2 Elektron Harkka
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 1–1 Libertas Bergheim

The top of the league is developing into a thrilling race with four teams being within one point, and fifth-placed Torpedo lurking just one point behind. On Friday night, Lok Jarnstad get to strike first as they receive Dynamo Novaya Russica, and take the lead at least for the night if they win. However, in a duel of two teams who prefer playing defensively, it’s a slow game; in the end, DNR slip up first. Centre-back Evgeni Sabokhin and rightback Söderberg can’t quite agree who covers Tessa Bjarnesen, allowing the Poafmersian winger to slip through and score the single goal that puts Lok in the lead. After a draw between AFK and ESK Storevik, and a surprising loss of Partisan to SK Cuprum thanks to a late Benjamin de Wahr header, Libertas are the last team that can take back the lead by beating CASK Thorsborg away. A tough ask for the leaders after MD11, but Asbeck/Rangren are putting out a perfectly set up team that correctly identifies and targets a weak point in CASK’s centre. Despite Alexander Ilikin playing well, the U21 Northlight can’t keep up with the task of covering multiple players, and eventually is out of position to allow Valtter Marvinsson a ball to the top, where Vithoulkas beats out Pohjanainen in an aerial duel and heads the ball over to Olafur Asgrimsson for the 1-0. Unfortunately for Libertas, CASK have a lot of offensive power themselves, and a splendid counterattack. Attacking over the right side, Janna Sauthier aims to cut inside, but gets fouled and injured by Balle - resulting in a yellow and a free kick that Medberg Hansen nods past Jonas Hilde. As a result, the score is 1-1, enough for Lok Jarnstad to be the new leaders of the SFS A.

Matchday 13
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Elektron Harkka 0–4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Sjoedrhavn 4–4 Energie Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–0 ESK Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 6–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
RLSK Pawlograd 1–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–0 Metsuri Virkaja
AFK Savojagrad 3–2 Admiral Storevik

Last matchday saw dramatic shifts up top; this matchday, the only game to affect the top is Partisan’s 1-1 against CASK that removes them from the immediate leading group. It’s not an undramatic game, as Partisan’s late winning header by Chandra Rosziter is ruled an offensive foul, but it’s not as entertaining as the sheer volume of goals elsewhere. FK Sjoedrhavn set the tone with a massive second-half effort, scoring three goals in the last 30 minutes to come back from a 1-3. However, a Lars Lindberg header, a chaotic tap-in from Mortensen, and a screaming long-range shot by the veteran Rolf Patriksson is not enough for the win, as somewhere in between, Victoria Borgen gets past two opponents on her own and beats Helmsgaard between the legs for the 4-4. Then, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and Libertas Bergheim move in lockstep as they beat up an unfortunate ESK Storevik (lacking Halldor Parvin for injury, Isabelle Christian for suspension, and Daniel Godijn as well as Martina Eythorsdottir due to a flu infection that hit multiple others) and an utterly unmotivated SVV respectively. And the grande finale to this day is provided by AFK Savojagrad and Admiral Storevik. In this matchup, the guests would have been lightly to decently favoured five years ago; by now, the auspices have inverted, and AFK want to show it. In front of a packed tiny stadium, and the shadows of the construction site of their new home, Nichajev scores a brace in the first half to put his team up 2-0, but then, Johan Ludvigsson ekes out a penalty. Ola-Mikko Virttu scores it easily, and with almost a full half, Admiral smell blood. Glóa Karvelsdóttir manages to prevent a dangerous counter and allows Dubois to launch the counter that Erkalainen ends with a diagonal ball Leopold just taps in, and it’s even with 20 minutes to go. Still, the better end belongs to the hosts as Grysai makes a poor pass that Sabine Bar uses to launch Östberg down the side, and Tatjana Kovalenko converts his pass for a hard-fought AFK victory.

Matchday 14
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Metsuri Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 RLSK Pawlograd
ESK Storevik 2–1 Libertas Bergheim
Energie Thorsborg 5–1 AFK Savojagrad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 5–0 Elektron Harkka
Admiral Storevik 2–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

Following Lok Jarnstad’s unspectacular, but solid victory over Metsuri Virkaja (courtesy of an injury time goal in the first half by Trikhichev, and a solid lockdown afterwards), Libertas Bergheim are under pressure to beat ESK Storevik to catch up. However, ESK are a tough opponent with their Christmas tree lineup, and Daniel Godijn at the base of it acting as a ball distributor and lockdown player at once. The real stars of this game, however, are Sölva Ylsdottir and Isabelle Christian, who restrict Denis Arkanin and Wen Xiaohui so much that the former gets a painful yellow card for lashing out at Ylsdottir and getting a suspension for the next game. In the end, the 19 year old Freya Jotansdottir secures victory as Libertas’ defence forgets her entirely, and she beats her U21 national teammate Hilde in the 1v1. As a result, Lok Jarnstad take a four point lead at the top of the table, the largest lead of the season thus far. Behind them, Savojars Vinge Virkaja’s struggles continue as a lazy Krister Voynov gets a rare start and is utterly useless, even refusing to backtrack and allowing Mrdja - playing as a winger today - to cut past everyone and cross in to Archer for the 0-1. In the end, it’s a 0-2 loss to Parti, not a shame in and of itself but worrying given how fractured the team looks. Finally, Admiral Storevik show that they are performing under their value this season as they wrestle down Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. Despite the Sjoedrhavn side powering up the offence, they just can’t get past Mucic and Glóa Karvelsdóttir, who man-marks Hjort out of the game. On the other end, Mastronenko makes a massive mistake that keeps Johan Ludvigsson onside and able to score alone against Arrowsmith to get a late winner for Admiral.

Matchday 15
Elektron Harkka 0–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–3 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–2 Energie Thorsborg
Libertas Bergheim 2–1 Admiral Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 ESK Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 CASK Thorsborg
Metsuri Virkaja 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and Energie Thorsborg deliver a spectacular dual thanks to the brutal offence of the visitors. Undisturbed by Dynamo’s star power, they throw everything forward and get a lead 20 minutes in as striker Borgen beats Pala in a 1v1 and tunnels Arrowsmith for the lead. Unfortunately, that also leaves them open at the back, leading to Tretjakov finding a great through ball to Khedira for the equaliser; right before the break, Tretjakov scores herself as she converts a handball penalty for the lead. In the second half, Dynamo let up just for a second, and Metalkov finds a diagonal ball for Borgen to tap back to Florian Franz for the 2-2. Elsewhere, Libertas Bergheim - again under pressure to win after Lok beat Elektron Harkka - struggle hard against Admiral Storevik, but in the last 30 minutes avert the second loss to a Storevik team within a week. First, Vithoulkas equalises following a cross from Jubkin; then, a spectacular shot from around 20 metres by Knud Vingegaard bounces off the left post into the net, unstoppable for Branislav Mucic. Finally, on Sunday night, FK Torpedo Pawlograd travel around 70 km south along the coast and face AFK Savojagrad. Fifth against third, and two (friendly) rivals with attractive and offensive football deliver a fun game, but struggle with finishing. Nichajev, Bar, and twice Östberg miss the goal; on the other side, Lerum saves twice against Anselmo Viera and Valtteri Silverberg twists a free kick just centimetres over the bar. Then, Silverberg chips a ball onto Cadell, who passes in to Serebrjakov… but was offside when he received Silverberg’s ball. Finally, in the second half, Nichajev shields a ball against Stepanek and turns around only to get caught up in his leg and get a penalty, which is converted calmly by Sabine Bar for the lone goal of the game.

Savojarsk Cup Octofinal
Motor Johansborg (NL) 3–1 Rotor Värstjö (SFS B)
Elektron Harkka 2–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn (2–3 AET)
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Tapparainen FK (NL) 1–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
Union Poljansk (NL) 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd (2–1 AET)
FK Metall Jarnstad (SFS B) 0–0 RLSK Pawlograd (0–0 AET) (2–4 pen.)
Aurum Kjefla (Reg 1A) 0–7 Admiral Storevik
SK Sjöveld (NL) 0–4 AFK Savojagrad

The first eyecatcher, of course, is CASK Thorsborg facing Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. Champion versus vice-champion develops into a furious duel, but one that is characterised by midfield struggles and many small fouls. Living off tension and defensive stability, the class of Mohamed Khedira and Ottilia Hjort prevails as they pass themselves through CASK’s defence and Khedira chips the ball past a charging Valujev. The other eyecatching result concerns FK Torpedo Pawlograd. Replacing six starting members against third-tier Union Poljansk, nothing clicks in the first half and Union striker Grigori Savakov is covered neither by Istrov nor Morozov, allowing him to beat U-21 keeper Petteri Helvanen. In the second half, Torpedo change up some players, and Overby scores off a chaotic corner to equalise, but Poljansk continue to defend strong with five men, and find another goal as captain Tovarjev taps in a counter in extra time to eliminate the SFS A side. Other lower tier sides have less luck: Both Aurum Kjefla, who surprised in the last rounds, and SK Sjöveld are swiftly dispatched by their SFS A opponents; Tapparainen FK have hope with a drawn game at half time but eventually lose to FK Sjoedrhavn in the second half. Only RLSK Pawlograd also need to shiver, failing to break through last season’s relegated side FK Metall Jarnstad. But eventually they get the better of Metall in the shootout, with Amilaga and Pedersen missing their attempts and sending RLSK through to the quarterfinals.

Matchday 16
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Energie Thorsborg 3–0 Libertas Bergheim
CASK Thorsborg 4–0 Metsuri Virkaja
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
ESK Storevik 0–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Admiral Storevik 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 AFK Savojagrad
Elektron Harkka 2–4 FK Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

Libertas Bergheim are, by now, full on in crisis. Being down two goals at half time at Energie Thorsborg, it doesn’t get any better. Nobody has been able to control Lars Metalkov all game long, allowing the winger to score the first one and drop a ball back to Jenny Ahlqvist to assist the second one. Now, he is subbed off under standing ovations before a corner; rightback Elisabeta Grokov turns it inwards right ont he head of Tarje Sandbeck for the defensive midfielder’s first goal of the season. A day later, Partisan Sjoedrhavn are throwing their full might against a tired-looking Admiral. The Partisans are outpossessing and outshooting the Storevik side clearly, but they aren’t breaking through Branislaw Mucic’s defence. But this changes with a solo effort from Traudl Mrdja: Set up with a diagonal ball from Nygaard, the Nepharan - playing as a striker today - cleverly shields the ball against the aggressive charge from Glóa, lets the Graentfjaller centreback bounce off her shoulder, and bashes the ball past Mucic for the goal that allows Partisan to pass Libertas into third place. On Sunday night, FK Torpedo are fighting to keep touch to the top group by beating the recovering Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. But the boys in red are much stronger than the Navy side, who lack an injured Paavo Tuomioja and a suspended Selvala Tabur. Sharin holds on as long as possible, denying Archer twice, but then succumbs to Pickton’s shot in the near corner; after an hour, Tretjakov scores the 2-0 on a cross from Siobhan Conville.

IFCF Group Stage
Fontvielle Impact (VLD) 2-2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Megabrantid SC (SRS) 5-2 CASK Thorsborg
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1-4 Arlington City (ZWZ)
Montreal Koreana (QUE) 2-2 CASK Thorsborg
Strathcona Intls (KSK) 1-1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
CASK Thorsborg 1-0 Athletique Alexandrie (PTR)

CASK Thorsborg are travelling to the Squornshelan Remnant States for an all-important duel with Megabrantid SC. A win here would set them six points ahead of Megabrantid, with the head to head on their side. Unfortunately, CASK act naively aggressive and manage to fall behind substantially in the first half. A change away from Ilikin, who has a terrible run of form, brings some improvements, but it’s not enough to overcome that mountain. With a draw against Montreal Koreana following, CASK are now relying on help from Megabrantid - if Koreana don’t win, CASK can overtake them with a victory at home against already eliminated Athletique Alexandrie. The Savojars do their part, but a win for Montreal Koreana away at Megabrantid (who already have won the group) sends them down into the Challengers Cup.
Lok Jarnstad have no such luck, only managing a draw against Fontvielle and Strathcona. The Savojars also get ripped apart in the revenge against Arlington City, conceding four thanks to some small mistakes that are splendidly exploited by an efficient Arlington side. Jarnstad’s outing in the Champions League thus ends with the fourth place in the group; the consistency in the group matches were insufficient for this level.

Matchday 17
FK Sjoedrhavn 3–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 4–2 Elektron Harkka
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Admiral Storevik
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 4–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 ESK Storevik
Metsuri Virkaja 0–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–4 CASK Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Energie Thorsborg
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

FK Sjoedrhavn have been getting some notable points with a win-or-lose playstyle, resulting in the joint fewest draws. Sometimes it backfires, leading to FKS having the second most goals conceded in the league, but sometimes it also works out brilliantly. Today is one of those days as FK Sjoedrhavn rip apart leader Lok Jarnstad at home, playing themselves into a rush in the second half after a scoreless first 45 minutes. The 1-0 is an opportunistic reaction after a bouncing ball that Johanna Olasdottir pushes over the line, but then, they score an absolute beauty as Mortensen and Aalgren combine themselves through, Mortensen beats leftback Johanna Nilsson in the 1v1 and sends back a flat, sharp pass to Irina Mijatov for the 2-0. In the end, it’s three goals for the outsider, giving the pursuitors a chance to catch up. And indeed, AFK use it in the parallel match against Elektron Harkka. Despite a brief slump after half time, allowing first Henrik Zenqvist via penalty and then Kaspar Riis with a header to equalise, they win. AFK react well to the equaliser and have Finn Östberg, their never-tiring winger, cross in to Nichajev for the 3-2 and then, on a counter, joker Chris Hjort chips the ball over Kaspars Żalgiris for the final result, closing the gap to two points. On Sunday night, Libertas and Torpedo duel each other directly, fourth against sixth, both with a chance to stay in touch with leaders Lok with a win. But in the end, it’s a tight game without a result: Libertas’ Andrea Vithoulkas has a great chance to win the game for her side in the end, but hits the crossbar with a header; on the other end, the best chance goes to Ilja Serebrjakov shanking it in front of the goal and sending the ball a good metre wide. In the end, the scoreless draw results in Libertas remaining six points behind and still having a decent chance to make a run, but Torpedo fall back a spot behind Dynamo and increasingly lose touch with the top.

Standings

Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Lokomotive Jarnstad         17   12   2   3    25   11  +14    38
 2 AFK Savojagrad              17   11   3   3    30   16  +14    36
 3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         17   11   3   3    20    6  +14    36
 4 Libertas Bergheim           17   10   2   5    27   18   +9    32
 5 CASK Thorsborg              17    8   6   3    30   13  +17    30
 6 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           17    8   5   4    25   11  +14    29
 7 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        17    8   4   5    16    8   +8    28
 8 Admiral Storevik            17    8   4   5    29   24   +5    28
 9 ESK Storevik                17    6   8   3    23   21   +2    26
10 Energie Thorsborg           17    6   7   4    37   30   +7    25
11 Landsmarks Industrie        17    6   2   9    21   30   −9    20
12 FK Sjoedrhavn               17    5   2  10    19   30  −11    17
13 RLSK Pawlograd              17    4   4   9     9   13   −4    16
14 SK Cuprum Grennvik          17    4   3  10    15   26  −11    15
15 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      17    4   3  10    14   28  −14    15
16 Dynamo Novaya Russica       17    3   4  10     6   18  −12    13
17 Metsuri Virkaja             17    3   4  10     8   22  −14    13
18 Elektron Harkka             17    2   2  13    16   45  −29     8

by **Savojarna** » Thu Feb 16, 2023 10:05 am

SFS A Season 19 - Part 3/4

Matchday 18
SK Cuprum Grennvik 3–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Metsuri Virkaja 0–2 ESK Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Admiral Storevik
RLSK Pawlograd 0–1 Energie Thorsborg
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Libertas Bergheim 4–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 5–1 Elektron Harkka
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–4 CASK Thorsborg

Winter champions Lok Jarnstad are getting a big challenge hosting defending - and wavering - champions CASK Thorsborg, who are down eight points and want to make a run for the top to at least take a shot at defending their title. And they are withstanding the challenge for 38 minutes, before a missed pass by Anna Guweddeko results in a long ball by Ilikin, a cross inside from Hartikainen, and a cool chip by Smolov over the leg of Knasmuller. Lok, who had dominated the game until there, are opening up at the back, giving up another counter in injury time. While they are closing down the gap in the second half with Klaebo scoring the 1-2, CASK counter twice more and win the match decidedly. At the same time, Partisan Sjoedrhavn are taking out the big guns against Torpedo to overturn a half-time deficit. Outshooting Torpedo 12-7 in the second half, and with much better quality, they suffer for a while before a penalty from Poulsen equalises the score and Antonia Nygaard pushes a ball over the line for the 2-1 victory that lets Partisan take the lead of the SFS A. The big loser of the matchday is AFK Savojagrad, who fail to beat FK Sjoedrhavn thanks to a strong Jostein Helmsgaard and a squandered chance by Kovalenko, who attempted a pass in front of the goal instead of shooting from a near-certain position, resulting in Helmsgaard securing the pass.

Matchday 19
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
Landsmarks Industrie 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 4–0 RLSK Pawlograd
Energie Thorsborg 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Admiral Storevik 2–0 Metsuri Virkaja
ESK Storevik 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–1 CASK Thorsborg
AFK Savojagrad 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad

Imagine a day with two derbies, where the most important game is neither of them. This is what we see on this MD, however. It helps that both derbies go exactly according to plan: FK Sjoedrhavn are challenging and tickling Dynamo, but never really threaten a solid Tanith Arrowsmith (with the exception of a goal off a corner) and can’t quite stop the presence of Pickton and Hjort up front. FK Torpedo’s victory in the Pawlograd Derby is even more total as Valtteri Silverberg notes two assists and a man of the match performance in the midfield in his side’s 4-0 win over RLSK. However, the real focus of the weekend is the duel of third-placed AFK Savojagrad and second-placed Lok Jarnstad. The winner will get to step up behind Partisan; and both teams come out of the gate really hot. While AFK have more chances, with Kovalenko shanking a flat pass wide after twenty minutes as their best attempt, Lok have the better ones. But neither side can break the deadlock for an hour, before Sadianov nods in a cross from Bjarnesen after a late run for Lok’s lead. However, the lead lasts only a few minutes before AFK equalise from the spot after a handball by Tristana Palsdottir. The centre-back makes up for her mistake with a spectacular sliding tackle against Chris Hjort, and launches the counter that finishes with Gomez scoring the winner for Lok that keeps them one point behind Partisan.

Matchday 20
Lokomotive Jarnstad 4–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–3 Admiral Storevik
Metsuri Virkaja 0–5 Energie Thorsborg
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
RLSK Pawlograd 0–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Elektron Harkka
Libertas Bergheim 1–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 AFK Savojagrad
CASK Thorsborg 3–1 ESK Storevik

Savojars Vinge Virkaja are in a horrible spot, with the team being reputed to have fractured internally and struggling with the presence of Krister Voynov; Illyria Landrith has been rumoured in the press to be struggling with the darkness and cold of the Savojar winter, and Markus Packard-Grey has been affected by injury. Today, that seems to manifest itself in a slow and dispassionate game, with nobody tracking back against Lok’s attacks, and resulting in a 4-0 win for the second-placed side. Elektron Harkka have been struggling too, although more thanks to a lack of firepower than a real internal issue. Today, however, they pull off an upset as they hold back Partisan surprisingly well and maintain a close game despite an early goal for Parti, who are maybe managing their energy just a bit too much. As a result, Elektron’s captain Tsygankov finds 22 year old striker Tiril Johansen, who benefits from a slight mistake from Broad and scores the 1-1 that costs Parti two valuable points and puts Lok back into the lead. In third spot, CASK Thorsborg manage to establish themselves as the Army team beat ESK Storevik with aggressive and clean play. The game is tight for 77 minutes, but then, Medberg Hansen simply explodes and rushes past Braaten to score the leading goal. With ESK opening up, a range shot by Ilikin results in the 3-1, putting CASK in third position, four points behind Partisan.

Matchday 21
AFK Savojagrad 2–1 Libertas Bergheim
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Elektron Harkka 1–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Landsmarks Industrie 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Metsuri Virkaja
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Energie Thorsborg 2–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ESK Storevik 3–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 2–2 CASK Thorsborg

It’s time for some rivalries on this matchday, starting with Friday’s FK Sjoedrhavn versus Partisan matchup. Partisan’s bane throughout the years has been that the team can sometimes fall into a slump where they appear sluggish and not very serious. Today is one of those cases - Sven Vikarby and Bjarnfinnr Arnason cannot agree on who should cover Mortensen, and Mijatov receives barely any resistance as she controls the ball and puts it past Virulainen. On the other side, with Rosziter suspended on yellow cards and Poulsen suffering a flu, there is a lack of drive in the midfield; as good as Linus Nöysten plays, he does not have Poulsen’s leadership, resulting in a flat-looking Parti losing to FKS. Their main competitors for the lead, Lok Jarnstad, also drop points in East Sjoedrhavn. Dynamo are putting on an offensive show, with Jelena Tretjakov scoring on a massive shot from 18 metres to the top left side. Lok do find counter chances, but it’s Dynamo who go up 2-0 as Conville taps in a long cross from Pickton; they only come back in the second half when Reid Gomez, rested following a muscular issue, comes off the bench to score the 2-1 and draw the penalty that Klaebo converts for the 2-2. Finally, the big game between Admiral and CASK is on the cards, and Admiral - playing with holy fury - are wrestling down CASK despite going down twice. Medberg Hansen scores six minutes in, but before the break, Berger equalises with a late run to the box that leaves her alone. In injury time of the first half, Sauthier scores another leader, but Ludvigsson heads in a long free kick to equalise a second time, securing a point at home for Admiral.

IFCF Challengers Cup Second Round
Aleiusia Capital (ZRH) 1-0 CASK Thorsborg
CASK Thorsborg 2-3 Aleiusia Capital (ZRH)

CASK are unlucky in the international stage. The defending CL champions are going down after a defensive mistake by Pohjanainen and Hatun, missing a striker that slipped through, and then fail to score for 70 minutes despite trying. Most importantly, they miss a lot of shots, wasting even prime opportunities as a result. In the return game, they are welcomed by a massive display of blue and red flares in the Hardén, and enter the game with vigor - until offensive hinge Arnar Jonsson injures himself without any need to do so, shutting the game down at a 2-1 lead for CASK that would see them at least securing extra time. Replacement Helena Jagerby, perhaps struggling with nerves, loses the ball; on the counter, Anna Letov blacks out and comes much too late to stop the counter-attack, and sees a justified red card. With ten men and a weakened front, CASK lose 2-3 and Savojarna’s last hope in the IFCF is out.

Matchday 22
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–1 ESK Storevik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 Admiral Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 1–1 Energie Thorsborg
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Metsuri Virkaja 1–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Elektron Harkka
RLSK Pawlograd 0–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 3–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 AFK Savojagrad

Lok Jarnstad and ESK Storevik are facing off on Friday evening, with the leaders being tasked to lay some distance between themselves and their first chaser Partisan Sjoedrhavn. They do succeed in the first half, with a re-strengthened Reid Gomez starting the game and scoring a good goal, fending off a charge from Braaten and slotting the ball past Kopperberg. But the low-lying ESK Storevik, led by Daniel Godijn pulling strings from deep, stop Lok from gathering more steam, and in the second half, Halldor Palsson makes a deep run and crosses in for Eirikur Sigurds’ header to perfectly find the back of the net. On the next say, attention shifts away from the top and onto FK Torpedo’s Zander Cadell. Playing on the left wing, the Nepharan is putting in a splendid performance, scoring two goals himself and setting up Rotan for a third. Ko-orenite Anselmo Viera also grabs two assists, and Valtteri Silverberg completes a four goal match for the Pawlograd side. On Sunday night, second-placed Partisan faces third-placed AFK Savojagrad. AFK are showing solidarity and effort, but Partisan’s individual quality is too much as Karina Holt breaks through on the left, drops the ball back into the box to Mrdja, and the Nepharan knocks it forward for her countryman Tryphon Archer to simply tap it into an open goal. But in the second half, AFK strike back with Östberg tracking back and taking the ball off Boissonault; the overlapping Lena Kjaergaard finds Nichajev for an equaliser. And just a bit later, former Partisan winger Göran Jaerbyn cuts inside to receive a pass from Bar and score the 2-1 that lets Savojagrad take second place in the league.

Matchday 23
Libertas Bergheim 0–3 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
AFK Savojagrad 0–1 RLSK Pawlograd
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Elektron Harkka 3–1 Metsuri Virkaja
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 3–2 CASK Thorsborg
Energie Thorsborg 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 0–1 ESK Storevik

The Sjeodrhavn Derby is set to fire on Friday evening under tension-heavy circumstance: Partisan are coming off a cold streak, having just slipped to third place three points behind the leaders; Dynamo are having a rough year altogether with six million NSD signing Ottilia Hjort not quite finding her place in the team yet. Today, Hjort is failing to score too, although more due to Alyssa Broad’s strong marking than anything else; on the other end, solid play from Arrowsmith prevents any danger. Eventually, however, there is panic: Virulainen misses a cross, Pickton approaches the ball to nod it into an empty goal, but he can’t quite reach it and misses the goal, lacking some centimetres in height. In Pawlograd, CASK appear to be taking revenge for their disappointing loss to Aleiusia Capital and humiliating draw to Energie Thorsborg, taking a controlling 2-1 lead into the last thirty minutes. But then, Silverberg chips the ball deep past CASK’s lines where Viera cuts inside and lays it up for Rotan to slot it past Valujev to equalise. Fourteen minutes later, contact between Pohjanainen and Cadell leads to a whistle, and Emma Kenna-Tang steps up for a reversal in the late stages of the game. Finally, ESK Storevik’s solid tactics and defensive stability upset Admiral Storevik, led by Ylsdottir and Christian’s destructive ability and the long balls by Godijn leading to dangerous openings. With twenty minutes to go, Ignas Varauskas pulls wide from his half-striker position and opens a gap for Freya Jotansdottir, and Freya manages to score from close up to win the game.

Savojarsk Cup Quarterfinals
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 0–1 RLSK Pawlograd
Motor Johansborg (NL) 3–0 Union Poljansk (NL)
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 4–4 Admiral Storevik (4–5 AET)
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 FK Sjoedrhavn (2–1 AET)

There will be a third tier side in the Cup semifinals as Motor Johansborg face Union Poljansk. The veteran side of Motor, with multiple people that have played in the SFS A when the Johansborgers made a surprise promotion a few years back, stays in control throughout the whole game, and thanks to Hemovitj and Sigurdsson as well as young winger Nils Kastrup, they win easily 3-0. Dynamo Sjoedrhavn and Admiral Storevik both throw all they have at the game, knowing it is their one shot at salvaging a rather disappointing season. Dynamo take a 2-0 lead, but Admiral Storevik strike back through veteran Palina Leopold managing to set up two assists before a corner is nodded in by Witchstone. Berger scores the seemingly decisive 2-4 from range with a deflected shot, but with only twelve minutes to go, Hjort draws a penalty that Tretjakov converts, and hope returns to Dynamo. Only in injury time does Pickton find an opening and joker Lise Stromberg scores from nine metres. But the desperate catchup has cost Dynamo too much energy, and the defence looks silly as Virttu cuts through a gap and lays the ball sideways to substitute Aljona Bergman to score the 4-5. Finally, AFK and FK Sjoedrhavn also go into extra time, but here it is the result of a dull game spiced up by the equaliser scored by a penalty converted by AFK’s Lars Larsson. In extra time, Boris Kajanov sends a ball back into the area before the box, from where Sabine Bar manages to find a gap to score.

Matchday 24
ESK Storevik 0–0 Energie Thorsborg
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
CASK Thorsborg 0–1 Landsmarks Industrie
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 Elektron Harkka
Metsuri Virkaja 3–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
RLSK Pawlograd 0–4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3–0 Libertas Bergheim
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–2 Admiral Storevik

Metsuri Virkaja sit all the way at the bottom of the table, primarily thanks to their struggles in the offence, scoring only 10 goals in the first 23 games. But today, their team finally manages to click. Using the high wingers from FK Sjoedrhavn to their advantage, Metsuri sends Ilari Milvonen deep for two assists, and on the other end Jordi Igaraberri manages a goal himself as well. But the player of the game is Eila Laaksonen, who scores two what is only Metsuri’s fourth win of the season. Up top, Partisan direly need points, being down five points. The Partisans are showing up right as they have to, and by half time, a strong shot from Mrdja and a tap-in at the far post by Antonia Nygaard sets the score to 2-0. Libertas are trying their best to get a goal back, but they are not finding a gap, and with a quick counter Tryphon Archer gets a third goal to put pressure on Lok Jarnstad. Thanks to some help from Admiral, the gap up top shrinks: Lok make an uncommon defensive mistake, seeing Rysti Erkalainen slip through a gap and get a long ball to beat Knasmuller from close range to score the 1-0. Then, in the second half, swapping out playmaker Virttu for Anna Witchstone shuts down Lok’s low-lying playmaker, paving the way for a surprising loss for the leaders.

Matchday 25
Libertas Bergheim 3–2 RLSK Pawlograd
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
AFK Savojagrad 0–0 Metsuri Virkaja
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Elektron Harkka 0–4 CASK Thorsborg
Landsmarks Industrie 0–2 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–0 ESK Storevik
Energie Thorsborg 2–2 Admiral Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad

The real attraction of this matchday, of course, is the top of the table duel. Partisan trail Lok by two points, giving them the chance to take the lead at home. Straight out of the gate, they press their guests back, but Lok are holding on thanks to Gerik Knasmuller’s defence and a few inaccuracies of the strikers. However, with Adrian Klaebo, Lok have a deadly weapon from deep lying positions, and the midfielder does manage to flip that switch to send Tessa Bjarnesen down the left side. The Poafmersian winger finds Reid Gomez in the middle, and as it was the case so often, this combination brings the win.
Libertas Bergheim are striking back after their 0-3 loss last week at the hands of Partisan Sjoedrhavn. Against a low blocking RLSK Pawlograd, they put down the foot on the gas and score two early goals. But once more, defensive woes are obvious: Nobody remains close to Vadim Saratov, and the 20 year old striker scores the 1-2; a bit later, a mistimed offside trap leaves Litmanen alone in front of the goal. Still, Libertas have the firepower to make up for it, and Valentina Jubkin does score a late winner for the team. In the Dynamo Derby, Novaya Russica do find a success - a rare event this season - in defending an early header off a corner by Daniel Olsen; on the other end, they hold on long before Yoon can’t quite hold a shot by Hjort and Wallace Pickton punches the rebound over the line.

Matchday 26
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Energie Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 2–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–0 Elektron Harkka
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
Metsuri Virkaja 0–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Libertas Bergheim
RLSK Pawlograd 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 1–2 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

With all the top teams fulfilling expectations today, the attention lies on the bottom of the table for once. Elektron Harkka, 18th, take on the 15th placed Savojars Vinge Virkaja, who are four points ahead of Elektron. Winning this match would be a good step forward in a tight relegation battle, whereas for SVV it could represent a step out of the mud of the lower end of the table. Elektron start out well, with a bold charge down the left side by captain Tsygankov, but she seeks to finish herself and misses. Seven minutes later, Ysabet Belgrade shows more composure and passes inwards from a similar position, and Markus Packard-Grey scores from close range. A glorious Krister Voynov free kick to the top left corner in the second half ends all hopes for Elektron to grab some points. No hope from the beginning is afforded to Metsuri Virkaja, ranked 17th, who face a surging Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. Only two minutes are played when Phoen and Tretjakov combine themselves through the midfield and chip a ball down into the path of Ottilia Hjort, who scores an early lead that Dynamo won’t relinquish anymore. Three important points carry the Sjoedrhavn side closer to the IFCF race. But the biggest game of the week is the Navy Derby between Admiral, ranked seventh, and Torpedo in fourth. Separated by only two points, the two are in the depths of the IFCF battle. A rivalry game with proper stakes on the line, the game starts out slow but doesn’t remain so for long when Torpedo striker Serebrjakov straight charges at the goal, and Admiral’s Dmitriev comes to stop him - and Serebrjakov falls and draws a penalty. Taken by Emma Kenna-Tang, the ball is in, and Torpedo lead; a lead they manage to extend as Admiral look shaken and let Viera move too freely. But in the second half, Admiral return fiercely, trying desperately to close the gap and managing one goal off Láidná Olasdottir; the second one is denied, however. In injury time, Glóa Karvelsdottir almost heads in a corner, but the Graentfjaller’s header is a few centimetres too high, landing on the net instead of in it.

Standings

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Lokomotive Jarnstad         26   16   5   5    40   22  +18    53
 2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         26   15   6   5    34   12  +22    51
 3 AFK Savojagrad              26   15   6   5    40   24  +16    51
 4 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        26   14   6   6    33   16  +17    48
 5 CASK Thorsborg              26   13   8   5    50   22  +28    47
 6 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           26   12   9   5    43   20  +23    45
 7 Libertas Bergheim           26   14   3   9    40   32   +8    45
 8 ESK Storevik                26   11  11   4    34   25   +9    44
 9 Admiral Storevik            26   12   7   7    42   31  +11    43
10 Energie Thorsborg           26    9  12   5    49   35  +14    39
11 FK Sjoedrhavn               26    8   3  15    27   42  −15    27
12 Landsmarks Industrie        26    7   5  14    24   43  −19    26
13 SK Cuprum Grennvik          26    7   4  15    24   40  −16    25
14 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      26    6   6  14    20   40  −20    24
15 RLSK Pawlograd              26    5   6  15    13   31  −18    21
16 Dynamo Novaya Russica       26    4   8  14    10   25  −15    20
17 Metsuri Virkaja             26    4   6  16    13   39  −26    18
18 Elektron Harkka             26    4   5  17    23   60  −37    17

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jun 06, 2023 8:11 am

SFS Season 20 Roundup

OOC: Due to me being very busy with university, and just generally losing motivation to do NS for a while, the Savojar Futbal Serien has skipped a few steps. The missed season is being recapped here; normal operations will resume with SFS 21.

SFS A

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Lokomotive Jarnstad         34   21   9   4    54   17  +37    72
 2 CASK Thorsborg              34   21   4   9    70   29  +41    67
 3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           34   19   9   6    60   33  +27    66
 4 AFK Savojagrad              34   18   8   8    62   43  +19    62
 5 Libertas Bergheim           34   16   8  10    48   48    0    56
 6 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         34   14  13   7    44   26  +18    55
 7 Admiral Storevik            34   14  12   8    51   36  +15    54
 8 ESK Storevik                34   12  10  12    28   33   −5    46
 9 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        34   10  15   9    52   46   +6    45
10 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      34   10  13  11    45   45    0    43
11 SK Cuprum Grennvik          34   12   6  16    27   40  −13    42
12 Dynamo Novaya Russica       34   10  11  13    31   41  −10    41
13 FK Sjoedrhavn               34   11   8  15    33   44  −11    41
14 Landsmarks Industrie        34   11   3  20    45   66  −21    36
15 ASK Landsmark               34    7  11  16    20   40  −20    32
16 FK Metall Jarnstad          34    8   7  19    20   38  −18    31
17 Energie Thorsborg           34    7   6  21    38   71  −33    27
18 RLSK Pawlograd              34    3  11  20    19   51  −32    20

SFS B

  SFS B                  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Traktor St. Andrei      34   18   9   7    86   47  +39    63
 2 Transport Hovikkära     34   18   9   7    35   18  +17    63
 3 Elektron Harkka         34   17   7  10    60   40  +20    58
 4 Rotor Värstjö           34   15  11   8    64   42  +22    56
 5 FK Odin Kjaershavn      34   16   7  11    42   29  +13    55
 6 Framfarir Kjefla        34   15   9  10    57   37  +20    54
 7 Norrhavn FK             34   15   9  10    40   32   +8    54
 8 Mir Nestrovo            34   15   8  11    50   46   +4    53
 9 Navigator Jaromirgrad   34   13   9  12    37   42   −5    48
10 Metsuri Virkaja         34   13   7  14    46   40   +6    46
11 Jarov Jarovsk           34   12  10  12    47   50   −3    46
12 Agrar Jurka FK          34   12   9  13    35   40   −5    45
13 Nemstvo SK              34   11  11  12    36   32   +4    44
14 Valdhavn IF             34   12   6  16    32   35   −3    42
15 EU Storevik             34   11   6  17    37   60  −23    39
16 RAS St. Andrei          34   10   6  18    26   49  −23    36
17 FK Chemie Frisks        34    6   5  23    14   46  −32    23
18 Partizan Yarkovo        34    4   8  22    35   94  −59    20

Relegation games:

Elektron Harkka 0-1 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Metall Jarnstad 0-0 Elektron Harkka

Traktor St. Andrei and Transport Hovikkära are promoted to the SFS A.
FK Chemie Frisks and Partizan Yarkovo are relegated to the Nationalligaen.

by **Savojarna** » Tue Jul 11, 2023 3:26 am

SFS 21 Season Preview (Part 1/2)

Transport Hovikkära
Stadium: Pohjoiskaivaa, cap. 46’000
Manager: Anders Hallbeck
Last season: 2. SFS B
Expectation: 16.-18.

Transfers in: Ansgar Lundvik (ST, from SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1.5 million NSD), Pernilla Haverby (LB, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1), Rasmus Pettersson (DM, RLSK Pawlograd, 0.75), Lauri Anttakari (CB, CASK Thorsborg, 0.5)
Transfers out: Juha Kellamäki (ST, to Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1.3 million NSD), Pekka Rintanen (CM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 1.25), Severi Litmanen (RM, ASK Landsmark, 0.5)

Starting XI (5-2-1-2):
1 - Jaakkima Järvelä © / 7 - Radko Petyanov, 5 - Toni Salmelainen, 3 - Lauri Anttakari - 4 Lara Simakov, 15 - Antti Laurismäki / 6 - Aleksandra Eganov, 8 - Ulf Ahlgren / 17 - Anja Grundelin / 9 - Ansgar Lundvik, 20 - Juha Poutiainen

Transport’s back! Sumanen’s biggest city has been without a representation in the top flight for nine years, as Transport went down after a dramatic SFS 12 campaign, where SK Cuprum Grennvik leapfrogged them in the match day to make it to safe ground, and pushed Transport down from what was a relegation game spot (and a chance to make it to safe ground with a point) down to the B. Unfortunately for the team, they didn’t make it back for a while, sometimes through sheer mediocrity and sometimes through memetically dramatic failure, leaving a distinct mark on the economic health of the club and the fan interest in the city. Still, the team is here to hopefully stay, and still plays its trademark tough, defensive style focused on shutting down oppositions, countering fast, and edging out wins with hard fought physical play. It is also known for a loud and uncomfortable stadium, and an extremely heated rivalry with Savojars Vinge Virkaja rooted in local politics.

Support if: you’re a Hovikkära dockworker, you’re a sports fan in the city who doesn’t like ice hockey, you appreciate hard defensive work
Hate if: you’re from Virkaja, you’re in the Air Force, you think that defensive football is bad
Club icons: Lenka Otalainen, Valerija Pitarova, Saakari Ahtisaari

Traktor St. Andrei
Stadium: Stadion Traktorov, cap. 56’000
Manager: Semjon Katjaniev
Last season: SFS B Champions
Expectation: 16.-18.

-

Transfers in: Antoni Neparev (GK, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 1), Heli Latvala (RB, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 0.75), Raimuna Zemunaite (CB/KUR, FK Arcjuga/KUR, 0.6)
Transfers out: Jens Ljusberg (RB, Admiral Storevik, 1.75), Johan Jacobsson (GK, retirement)

Starting XI (4-2-1-3):
1 - Antoni Neparev / 2 - Jakov Semenko, 4 - Antti-Jussi Peramäki, 14 - Trofim Lebtjenko, 17 - Heli Latvala / 5 - Kasimir Benatsenko ©, 8 - Sven Löfqvist / 10 - Jelena Lebtjenko / 19 - Jukka Palander, 9 - Malena Hensberg, 7 - Kirill Posjanov

A club founded in 1902 as St. Andrei F.C., this is one of the oldest sides in Savojarna. It had counter-revolutionary ties and was disbanded in 1911, but refounded 1915 as Traktor. Traditionally a farmer's team of the region around St. Andrei, the team has a large following in the countryside; in the city, they are somewhat associated with Russian nationalism and counter-revolutionaries. Traktor had long been a neutral’s favourite due to their aggressive playstyle and frequently suicidal attacking, but unfortunately that style also saw them struggle with inconsistency and contributed to their relegation in SFS 15. Now, six years later, St. Andrei is here to put Russica’s traditional centre back onto the football map with what is still wild, attacking football under young coach Semjon Katjanev. His team is also notably locally flavoured, with the Lebtjenko siblings being key identifying figures with the fans and Antoni Neparev returning to his youth club to play in the SFS A for them.

Support if: you are a North Russica farmer, you like historic teams with an underdog status, you like offensive football
Hate if: you’re a hardline Authoritarian, you’re a Torpedo Pawlograd fan, you have a faint heart
Club icons: Borislav Yarkov, Kasimir Samarov, Georgi Nikitin, Slavomir Tesjarov

FK Metall Jarnstad
Stadium: MetallArena, cap. 44’000
Manager: Gudrun Palsdottir
Last season: 16.
Expectation: 11.-15.

Transfers in: Alena Siroljev (CM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 1.

, Jordi Igarraberri (RM, Metsuri Virkaja, 0.6), Tiril Johansen (ST, Elektron Harkka, 0.5)
Transfers out: Grigori Lepin (ST, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1.6), Roman Kanarin (OM, retirement), Alexander Vorobei (RB, retirement)

Starting XI (4-4-2):
1 - Mookie Danube (XAN) / 14 - Jan Svärd, 13 - Penelope Garner (NPH), 3 - Lasse Kilde, 22 - Minna Lagerkvist / 11 - Paavo Jarmakoski, 8 - Ubelteso Amilaga (ASG), 15 - Alena Siroljev, 7 - Damjan Emin / 9 - Morten Pedersen ©, 19 - Tiril Johansen

Miner clubs were some of the oldest clubs in Savojarna. FK Metall were a union of many different clubs after the Revolution, some of which existed since the 1870s. Formed from the miners around the city of Jarnstad, Metall enjoy a solid basis in the entire Jarnslän. They are often seen as a country team, and an honest, hard-working union team. Relying on a tough to break defence, with two flat chains, FK Metall usually shut down the midfield and attack with fast counters. The central midfield is of crucial importance for both obtaining the ball and progressing play up the pitch once it is won; but Metall’s central midfielders are usually no-nonsense defensive destroyers rather than creative spirits. It is therefore little surprise that many of the club’s favourite players have been lumbering giants or athletic dynamos, including its most famous daughter Lovisa Mortensson, who has returned to Jarnstad as an assistant coach for this second season back in the top flight.

Support if: You are a miner from North Vestrholm, you hate Lokomotive with a passion
Hate if: You work for the railways, you want to watch entertaining football
Club icons: Lovisa Mortensson, Morten Pedersen, Roman Kanarin

ASK Landsmark
Stadium: Axel-Nejdur-Stadion, cap. 46’000
Manager: Sigurdur Hafnason
Last season: 15.
Expectation: 11.-15.

Transfers in: Tarje Sandbeck (DM, Energie Thorsborg, 1.3), Teemu Jeraväinen (ST, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1), Reksi Halanen (LM, ESK Storevik, 0.75), Severi Litmanen (RM, Transport Hovikkära, 0.5)
Transfers out: Ingmar Patriksson (CB, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 1.1)

Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
1 - Fjodor Meturin / 2 - Boris Lavrov, 25 - Agnes Elkjaer ©, 6 - Jens Carlsen, 15 - Samerin Oouri (SRS) / 16 - Johan Helmsberg, 4 - Tarje Sandbeck / 11 - Reksi Halanen, 23 - Johan Fjällvik, 7 - Severi Litmanen / 10 - Teemu Jeraväinen

Founded 1942 as a farm team for CASK, they got independent in the 1970s. Despite periodical success, ASK have largely been a mid-table team relying on a scrappy, defensive style of football to overcome their bigger rivals. As a state team with limited success, their fan base is sort of small and considered prone to bandwagoning, or abandoning the team in rougher times. Most people within the city support Landsmarks Industrie instead. Typically, ASK Landsmark value toughness and hard work over technique, and even in their best times they have been known as a limited scrappy team. When signed to drag the team back from its brief and humiliating stint in the SFS B, Sigurdur Hafnason caused a bit of an uproar in the fanbase by daring to deviate from their beloved 4-4-2, but the results made him right and put ASK back into the league they see themselves belonging to. Recently, they shifted from a developmental team to an uncomfortably old squad.

Support if: You’re an army member from East Vestrholm, you’re from Southern Landsmark, you believe football isn’t football if there aren’t at least two minor injuries per game
Hate if: You’re an anarchist, you’re from Landsmark’s working class districts, you’re a CASK fan (in which case the hate is more “view with poisonous condescension”)
Club icons: Simon Omark, Dominik Ryberg, Gavax-Nenzi Abe

Landsmarks Industrie
Stadium: Landsmarks Arbeternas Stadion, cap. 22’900
Manager: Harri Nikanen
Last season: 14.
Expectation: 16.-18.

Transfers in: –
Transfers out: –

Starting XI (4-4-2 flat):
1 - Vitali Paavaniemi / 2 - Thorkatla Holmsdottir, 3 - Olof Palsson, 22 - Edvard Fischer, 5 - Jana Persson / 7 - Lillian Enevoldsen, 8 - Balázs Mészáros (FFD), 6 - Elsa Lund ©, 10 - Fridrika Haakonsdottir / 11 - Karolina Vaitainen, 20 - Juri Novak

Industrie are the textbook example of a Savojarsk union team. Founded from a number of neighbourhood and factory clubs in the post-revolution era, they are a no-nonsense team whose entire trophy case is basically empty. With four SFS B titles in the modern era, they are tied with Rotor Värstjö for the most titles in the second tier, which also tells you they regularly go down into that tier. Regardless, their fans are faithful, and many of their players are too, staying in the team despite relegation or poor results. They have a fierce, although one-sided rivalry with ASK Landsmark (who consider CASK their true main rival), and a reputation for high pressing and aggressive football. Former player Harri Nikanen took the helm on the sidelines and took over the style of his long-term predecessor Mika Aleksen with changing success - but the fact Industrie have managed to largely hold themselves afloat in the SFS A is typically a success for this side.

Support if: you vote for the AP or Syndicalist, you grew up in North or East Landsmark, you like scrappy and confident underdogs
Hate if: you don’t have patience for relegations, you’re in the Army, you’re a Leninist
Club icons: Aleksander Teranen, Gabriel Klinger, Erling Sonderberg

FK Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Sjoedrhavns Stadsstadion, cap. 28’400
Manager: Knut Henriksen
Last season: 13.
Expectation: 10.-15.

Transfers in: Arianna Berger (CM, Admiral Storevik, 1.4), Nikolaj Andersen (LM, Libertas Bergheim, 0.6)
Transfers out: Rolf Patriksson (CM, retirement)

Starting XI (3-4-1-2):
1 - Jostein Helmsgaard / 5 - Denis Legkov, 17 - Gudrun Tyrgeirsdottir, 3 - Jens Kjaeresund / 13 - Nikolaj Andersen, 6 - Ulf Larsen, 18 - Arianna Berger, 15 - Antoni Valdenberg / 10 - Halvard Aalgren / 9 - Lars Lindberg, 19 - Irina Mijatov ©

Having roots in numerous clubs of the Sjoedrhavn southside, this team has a long history despite being formally founded only in 1962. For the longest time, they were the least serious amateur side in the city, playing in changing pitches in the Docklands and mostly fielding active dockworkers. Things changed a bit in the 1980s when a growing Sjoedrhavn punk and art scene - who traditionally despise the police-backed Dynamo - got increasingly priced out of Partisan games and started going to FKS matches; at the same time, syndicalist youth groups came to watch the games of their union comrades, and FKS got a large counter-culture following. Nowadays, they play in the Stadsstadion, just a few bus stops from the Stadion Dynamo, the home of their fiercest rivals, making any concurrent home games a police nightmare. On the pitch, their success is moderate, frequently switching between SFS A and B, but they’ve produced some good players and have made a splash before. And the fans will remain, no matter where they play.

Support if: you’re a punk fan, you’re a syndicalist, you’re a Sjoedrhavn dockworker, you hate the police
Hate if: you’re a cop, you grew up north of Gröna Linje, you’re an anticommunist
Club icons: Adrian Boedker, Hjalmar Bjarnason, Knut Jensen, Fredrik Andersson

Dynamo Novaya Russica
Stadium: Stadion Dynamo, cap. 29’700
Manager: Malte Ljungberg
Last season: 12.
Expectation: 10.-14.

Transfers in: Grigori Lepin (ST, FK Metall Jarnstad, 1.6), Liisa Santala (CM, SK Cuprum Grennvik, 1), Karina Holt (RM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 0.9)
Transfers out: Odvar Jotansson (OM, ESK Storevik, 1.2), Lavro Zhilin (ST, RAS St. Andrei, 0.5), Pernille Norby (RF, retirement), Yamaj-Blonz Jok (CM/QUS, retirement)

Starting XI (4-4-2):
1 - Hugo Yoon (QUE) / 2 - Rjurik Hoegh, 4 - Robin Oakes (TKT), 14 - Hjörvar Onisson (GRF), 5 - Petter Söderberg / 11 - Alexander Sobchuk, 6 - Harald Terjeson, 10 - Liisa Santala, 23 - Kristina Pohjala / 9 - Justus Rintanen ©, 26 - Sebastian Olsson

Dynamo Novaya Russica are sometimes called the most disliked team in Savojarna. Rooted in the police and founded originally for policemen’s physical training, the team had a tumultuous past due to the change of the city of Novaya Russica between Savojarna and Adyatin. In the 1960s, it was a development team for the flagship Dynamo team in Sjoedrhavn, but the two decoupled over time and the association of DNR with the police somewhat went away, instead associating with the West Russica area. It helped to give Novaya Russica a local following, but many people elsewhere, especially in Russica, still hate them as a police symbol. It doesn’t help that DNR tend to play a rough, dirty, physical, and defensive game that is not doing much to earn them love from neutral fans.

Support if: you’re a policeman, you’re from West Russica, you like dirty, scrappy, defensive football
Hate if: you’re not in the police force, you’re a Dynamo Sjoedrhavn fan, you like creative play
Club icons: Tuomas Lajunen, Alexey Nurkanen, Sequel Bathanay

SK Cuprum Grennvik
Stadium: Cuprum Arena Football, cap. 14’700
Manager: Mikhail Trischuk (SNL)
Last season: 11.
Expectation: Lower midfield

Transfers in: Björn Munch (CB, Energie Thorsborg, 0.

, Vadim Saratov (ST, RLSK Pawlograd, 0.6), Fredrik Helmsvald (RM, NFA Högvald Vit, 0)
Transfers out: Ansgar Lundvik (ST, Transport Hovikkära, 1.5), Liisa Santala (CM, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1), Teemu Jeraväinen (ST, ASK Landsmark, 1)

Starting XI (4-4-2 flat):
1 - Konstantin Pavarenko © / 3 - Astridur Gylfisdottir, 16 - Björn Munch, 6 - Thea Leifsen, 14 - Sigthor Vilmarsson / 7 - Leda Fjodorov, 18 - Loki Mattason, 10 - Lena Bryggveld, 17 - Lauri-Pekka Tepparainen / 9 - Benjamin de Wahr (SNL), 20 - Xena Allison (CMT)

Hailing from a small mining town, Grennvik’s sports fans have a bit of a chip on their shoulder as Cuprum’s teams in hockey and handball, Ejana’s most popular sports, are lagging behind their rivals from Storevik and Kjefla. In football, however, they can compete with their workmanlike, often physical, and aggressive side. Cuprum’s football section used to have only a small, although dedicated, fan group; this changed when they got a surprise fourth place in Season 17 and sparked a massive football boom. Late bloomer Saevar Fyrbriggsson and young defender Kenneth Röysveit have since moved away for large sums to big clubs, giving Cuprum a newfound confidence in their players and their youth in particular. They also tend to be particularly strong at home, thanks to the fact that the Cuprum Arena is small, windy, bumpy, and uncomfortable to play at. Having firmly established itself as a midfield team in the SFS A, the Black and Orange have recently secured funding to extend their stadium, and look to find their new identity in the top flight.

Support if: you like small town teams that overachieve, you are a fan of Mikhail Trischuk, you’re from Eastern Ejana
Hate if: you dislike physical football, you’re from Kjefla
Club icons: Bjarne Mejveldt, Saevar Fyrbriggsson, Sigurdur Hafnason

Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Stadium: Patrik Suhonen Stadion, cap. 52’000
Manager: Dmitri Lijushkin
Last season: 10.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Juha Kellamäki (ST, Transport Hovikkära, 1.3), Jenny Ahlqvist (LB, Energie Thorsborg, 1.2), Johanna Strindberg (RB, SVV Academy, 0)
Transfers out: Pernilla Haverby (LB, Transport Hovikkära, 1), Antoni Neparev (GK, Traktor St. Andrei, 1), Oleg Barkov (RB, ESK Storevik, 0.2), Krister Voynov (LF, retirement)

Starting XI (4-3-3):
1 - Tristan Vilhjalmursson / 13 - Jenny Ahlqvist, 14 - Ari Miatanen, 3 - Vibeke Mortensen, 4 - Illyria Landrith (NPH) / 6 - Heikki Aho, 10 - Patrik Paasio ©, 17 - Antti Jokiainen / 21 - Ysabet Belgrade (NPH), 20 - Harald Bjergsen, 9 - Markus Packard-Grey (TAE)

Following the tradition of the Navy’s Admiral and the Army’s CASK (and, at the time, the Officer Corps’s Spartak I.F.), the Air Force Captain Patrik Suhonen convinced his superiors of the need to found a sports club for the Air Force. With the nascent Savojar Air Force having a major base in Virkaja, and no other state-backed team playing in Sumanen, the team was founded in 1946 as the Savojar Air Force Sports Club (SFIF) Virkaja, representing the Air Force in football and hockey. It added more sports sections, including individual sports, in 1952 and rebranded to Savojars Vinge (Wing of the Savojars), and developed a solid upper midfield position. Its fans are often fickle, swinging between swooning and fawning over a side that often plays technical, fluid, and offensive football, and dismissing a team that is just as known for “dying in beauty”. Known for being the only military team that does not face much hatred from their local rivals, as both SVV and Metsuri play each other rarely and much prefer to band together against any Hovikkära teams.

Support if: you really like fighter jets, you’re into technical and offensive football, you’re also a hockey fan
Hate if: you’re from Hovikkära, you’re in another branch of the army, you despise teams willing to use money
Club icons: Lenka Otalainen, Thorbjörn Vukkila, Ylvi Sootala

by **Savojarna** » Wed Jul 12, 2023 12:45 pm

SFS 21 Season Preview (Part 2/2)

FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Stadium: Stadion Admiral Rjurden, cap. 52’000
Manager: Aleksi Matiainen
Last season: 9.
Expectation: 5.-10.

Transfers in: Timo Pohjanainen (CB, CASK Thorsborg, 1), Ingrid Rödberg (CM, FK Torpedo U-21, 0)
Transfers out: Anton Vitol (DM, Libertas Bergheim, 1.9), Alexei Narodin (CM, Admiral Storevik, 0.

, Heli Latvala (RB, Traktor St. Andrei, 0.75)

Starting XI (4-3-3):
1 - Sergei Sharin / 2 - Harald Gröneveld, 4 - Timo Pohjanainen, 22 - Ludvik Stepanek (STL), 5 - Dina Chapman (CMT) / 6 - Selvala Tabur (SRS) ©, 24 - Valtteri Silverberg, 8 - Emma Kenna-Tang (QUE) / 10 - Zander Cadell (NPH), 9 - Ilja Serebrjakov, 11 - Anselmo Viera (KOR)

Torpedo have been established in the aftermath of the Second Adyatinian War, when the Savojar government wanted to strengthen the presence of “communist” institutions in Russica. One of those institutions was the navy base in the Pawlograd harbour, and with the formation of ASK Landsmark as a secondary team for the Army threatening to tip the scales in this ever-precious rivalry, FK Torpedo were established to provide a similar structure for the Navy. Unlike ASK, the team was actually embraced by the dockworkers, who always felt somewhat left out by the traditional force of the city, the elitist and nationalist RLSK. As a result, Torpedo have a fervent fanbase that often clashes violently with its Russian neighbours, as well as a fickle management and media landscape that is often equally quick to elevate and tear down coaches - leading to a messy history of inconsistent results.

Support if: you’re in the Navy (and not an Admiral fan), you’re a Pawlograd dockworker, you like chaotic entertainment
Hate if: you’re a Russian nationalist (especially if you’re an RLSK fan), you’re in the Army, you’re from Savojagrad and value friendly rivalries
Club icons: Mirka Ceciu, Vitali Zhirkov, Markus Mellin

ESK Storevik
Stadium: Ejansk Stadion, 41’000
Manager: Alexey Jotanov
Last season: 5.
Expectation: 5.-10.

Transfers in: Emmelie Holgersson (CM, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 2), Sveinn Arnason (MS, Partisan Sjoedrhavn, 1.

, Odvar Jotansson (OM, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 1.2), Oleg Barkov (RB, Savojars Vinge Virkaja, 0.2)
Transfers out: Jotan Haraldsson (CM, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 1.5), Reksi Halanen (LM, ASK Landsmark, 0.75)

Starting XI (4-3-2-1):
1 - Finn Kopperberg © / 2 - Ekaterina Antonov, 3 - Amanda Braaten, 15 - Igor Nepriajev, 25 - Halldor Palsson / 6 - Isabelle Christian (NPH), 16 - Daniel Godijn (TLI), 18 - Emmelie Holgersson / 21 - Sveinn Arnason, 17 - Ignas Varauskas (KUR) / 9 - Eirikur Sigurdsson

Dockworkers have been big in the development of football in Savojarna, and Storevik is no exception. Together with local community teams, Storevik had a lively football scene in the 1940s, but focused on city and island championships. As the national championship became more and more consuming, the city’s authorities founded the Ejanan Sports Club of Storevik, or short ESK, to put a truly Ejanan club opposite the national outlook of Admiral Storevik. Unlike other similar teams like Partisan, ESK did not absorb local teams, leading to Storevik being disproportionately represented in lower tiers; instead, the city’s best players were offered to play for the team and supported from other Ejanan teams. Over time, ESK developed into an upper midfield side that is well supported across the island, with the exception of Admiral supporters, and seen as somewhat of a national team for the whole island, to the point where many Ejanan fans support them as a secondary team.

Support if: you’re from Ejana, you like underdogs with a good fighting chance, you’re into handball (and not a BHK Kjefla fan)
Hate if: you’re an Admiral Storevik fan, you’re a BHK Kjefla handball fan, you’re a right-winger
Club icons: Freya Sigurdsdottir, Fridtjof Hrolfrsson, Halldor Parvin

Admiral Storevik
Stadium: Marinestadion, cap. 48’000
Manager: Sven Byggsvild
Last season: 7.
Expectation: Upper midfield

Transfers in: Jens Ljusberg (RB, Traktor St. Andrei, 1.75), Alexei Narodin (CM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 0.

, Elina Vantanen (CM, Admiral Academy, 0)
Transfers out: Arianna Berger (CM, FK Sjoedrhavn, 1.4)

Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
1 - Branislaw Mucic (ZRH) / 2 - Nicolas Dubois (SVG), 4 - Glóa Karvelsdóttir (GRF), 22 - Dmitri Dmitriev ©, 5 - Tyrwulf Haakonson / 20 - Julia Grysai, 16 - Anna Witchstone (SCT) / 11 - Rysti Erkalainen, 8 - Ola-Mikko Virttu, 21 - Láidná Olasdottir / 10 - Johan Ludvigsson

Admiral have been founded post-revolution as a continuation of earlier teams of sailors from the Savojar Navy, and have been one of the powerhouses of Savojar football almost immediately. Second to CASK only in titles in the pre-SFS era, they have taken on a reputation as eternal silver medalists in the SFS era, coming second or third multiple years in a row during the dominant times of Partisan and Lok. Still boast three SFS titles, winning the second and seventh post-reform seasons by dramatically besting the then-reigning CASK dynasty and snatching a surprising championship five years ago. However, under Quebecois coach Hwang Joon-Ho, things didn’t quite click as intended, and the Admirals are changing up things to return to the top. As behooves an old and successful club, there are numerous rivalries on Admiral’s name, most importantly with CASK Thorsborg and their sister team FK Torpedo. Locally, they are bested by ESK Storevik when it comes to fan bases, but in the suburbs of the city and the wider surroundings of Ejana, they reign strong outside of Grennvik and Kjefla, where their own local teams tend to take priority.

Support if: you’re a sailor, you are from Ejana and like success
Hate if: you’re a proud Storeviker, you have an “Ejanan Pride” sticker, you’re a CASK or Torpedo fan
Club icons: Krister Voynov, Jzeovak Vladcik, Joonas Andersson, Arvid Jotansson

Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Stadion Perl Kruger, cap. 42’300
Manager: Nikolai Kruul Jensen
Last season: 6.
Expectation: 1.-5.

Transfers in: Pekka Rintanen (CM, Transport Hovikkära, 1.25), Kaspars Żalgiris (GK/KUR, Elektron Harkka, 1)
Transfers out: Emmelie Holgersson (CM, ESK Storevik, 2), Sveinn Arnason (MS, ESK Storevik, 1.

, Karina Holt (RM, Dynamo Novaya Russica, 0.9)

Starting XI (3-4-3):
1 - Aleksandra Virulainen / 3 - Sven Vikarby, 13 - Alyssa Broad (NPH), 5 - Jón Arnar Halldorsson / 4 - Bjarnfinnr Arnason, 8 - Chandra Rosziter (NPH), 10 - Morten Poulsen ©, 21 - Alicia Kronberg / 7 - Antonia Nygaard, 9 - Tryphon Archer (NPH), 11 - Traudl Mrdja (NPH)

Partisan are sometimes still derided as a plastic team, since they were formed in the 1930s as a forcible union of multiple Sjoedrhavn local teams, forced by the city government. The club succeeded in ascending to Big Four status alongside CASK, Admiral, and their local rivals Dynamo, but were traditionally the weakest of the four. Led by the local KPS elites, and supported by the creative and academic middle class of West Sjoedrhavn, Partisan have never been a popular team locally, but they attract a lot of attention through talent and star power. In the SFS era, they have been successful thanks to a transfer policy that focuses on international talent, in particular a small group of Nepharan players, and a consistent core of players that led to winning four SFS A titles and a cup. Recent dips in performance, however, have hurt the team’s fandom, and prompted a difficult rebuild.

Support if: you’re from West Sjoedrhavn, you’re a card-carrying KPS member, you’re Nepharan
Hate if: you’re from East Sjoedrhavn or the Docks, you’re a Liberal, you’re a Dynamo Sjoedrhavn fan
Club icons: Perttu Karjanen, Anders Johansson, Morten Poulsen

Libertas Bergheim
Stadium: Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion, cap. 29’150
Manager: Lise Asbeck / Mikaela Rangren
Last season: 5.
Expectation: 5.-10.

Transfers in: Anton Vitol (DM, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1.9), Kristian Thelander (CB, Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, 1.

, Sandra Hallar (OM, Framtid Bergheim, 0)
Transfers out: Jakub Jaranski (DM, CASK Thorsborg, 2.3), Nikolaj Andersen (LM, FK Sjoedrhavn, 0.6), Denis Arkanin (OM, retirement)

Starting XI (4-1-4-1):
1 - Jonas Hilde / 3 - Ejnar Balle, 4 - Dino Racic (MYT), 13 - Kristian Thelander, 15 - Alvin Strid / 6 - Valtter Marvinsson (GRF) / 17 - Liam Trout (TKT), 18 - Knud Vingegaard ©, 10 - Wen Xiaohui (YZH), 11 - Valentina Jubkin / 9 - Andrea Vithoulkas (NPH)

Bergheim is a relatively small mountain town, but it has a long footballing tradition and early on had local investment in its sports teams. Benefitting from the fact that their stadium is small, located in altitude, and notoriously cold and loud, they leveraged their home advantages into many respectable upper midtable finishes. With the SFS approaching, they had invested in a smart scouting network and strong coaching principles, and have been rewarded with their only Savojar Championship in SFS Season 9. Since then, they have fallen down somewhat and now sit in the upper midfield again, but sit there comfortably and with an attractive football. Well-respected and liked by most other teams, Libertas are a staple of the SFS and attract a fanbase of independent-minded, left-libertarian locals that often create fantastic displays of support and occasional social and political displays.

Support if: you like offensive creative football, you’re a fan of political ultra culture
Hate if: you’re a right-winger or authoritarian communist, you’re considering football soft unless it ends with four injuries or more
Club icons: Tuomas Lajunen, Alexey Nurkanen, Sequel Bathanay

AFK Savojagrad
Stadium: NUSArena, cap. 29’900
Manager: Gennadi Velitskin
Last season: 4.
Expectation: 5.-10.

Transfers in: –
Transfers out: Erland Lerum (GK, Lokomotive Jarnstad, 2.6)

Starting XI (4-4-2 Diamond):
1 - Ruslan Sigorov / 2 - Lena Kjaergaard, 18 - Annika Jokelainen, 3 - Jaromir Povchuk, 5 - Daniela Aalberg / 6 - Lars Larsson © / 7 - Finn Östberg, 23 - Göran Jaerbyn / 10 - Sabine Bar (VAL) / 9 - Vladimir Nichajev, 16 - Tatjana Kovalenko

Few clubs have made such a change to their identity as AFK have: Founded originally pre-revolution as a club of conservative Russian students at the University of Savojagrad, they’ve been forcibly re-founded after the revolution and have been closely watched, ensuring a communist leadership. As the society of Russica opened itself after the 1970s, AFK - back then still known under its Savojarsk name of Akademiker - changed into a multicultural, vibrant club that drew fans from Savojagrad’s large creative middle class. In the SFS era, they have made a name as perennial overachievers, and became increasingly popular for their fluid, tactically intricate, offensive football; increased attention led to a renaming to the Russian-language AFK. NUSArena had been renovated after the past two years, being inaugurated towards the end of last season, leading to a boost that carried Velitskin’s side to the fourth place. Lacking any true rivals, Savojagrad only have a friendly rivalry with both Pawlograd teams. There is a curious tendency in AFK to have a very strong traditional playmaker, a role currently filled by Vanorian Sabine Bar.

Support if: you’re a tactics nerd, you like fluid attacking football, you’re a creative worker and/or like to appear fashionably alternative
Hate if: you’re from Pawlograd (but only moderately), you think football should be direct to the goal
Club icons: Kevin Nordmark, Valtteri Lehto, Pavel Sirotkin

Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Stadium: Stadion Dynamo, cap. 35’000
Manager: Seneca Matthews (NPH)
Last season: 3.
Expectation: 1.-5.

Transfers in: Ingmar Patriksson (CB, ASK Landsmark, 1.1), Lasse Pedersen (GK, Akademien Dynamo, 0)
Transfers out: Kristian Thelander (CB, Libertas Bergheim, 1.

Starting XI (4-4-2 flat):
1 - Tanith Arrowsmith (NPH) / 2 - Johanna Zetterberg, 4 - Vidkun Nymark, 3 - Charlotta Pala (EFL), 5 - Wladmir Rokowic (ZRH) / 21 - Wallace Pickton (EUR), 8 - Alissar Phoen (CMT), 14 - Jelena Tretjakov, 7 - Siobhan Conville (TKT) / 13 - Ottilia Hjort (SRS), 9 - Mohamed Khedira (QUE)

Dynamo were founded in 1923 as the national performance centre for athletic police members, and quickly fielded a competitive football team that could act as the number three behind Admiral and CASK. However, they have a reputation as eternal seconds and chokers: In the Cup, they were in the finals eight times but only won three; in the championship, they hovered in second, third, and fourth places often, but only won one title in the SFS era (in season 16). The SFS era coincided with a brief weakness in Dynamo, who struggled with a generational shift and a few talents not making their breakthrough, but now they are firmly established as part of the new Big Five teams, having pushed out Libertas Bergheim from the top. A lot of their success came from being open to signing abroad, creating a multicultural team with many nationalities represented. Their fans are reputed to be bandwagoners, but the stadium is often filled anyway thanks to its low capacity, and known to be very loud due to its uniquely steep and reflecting architecture.

Support if: you like the police, you’re from the Northeast Sjoedrhavn elites, you like foreign stars
Hate if: you’re an FK Sjoedrhavn fan, you despise bandwagon fans, you think ACAB (no, not the Acqui Bollente one)
Club icons: Aleksander Teranen, Linne Kjaer, Niklas Hoyberg

CASK Thorsborg
Stadium: Stadion General Hardén, cap. 62’000
Manager: Johnny MacDonald (SCT)
Last season: 2.
Expectation: 1.-5.

Transfers in: Jakub Jaranski (DM, Libertas Bergheim, 2.3)
Transfers out: Timo Pohjanainen (CB, FK Torpedo Pawlograd, 1), Lauri Anttakari (CB, Transport Hovikkära, 0.5), Anja Loeseth (RB, retirement)

Starting XI (4-4-2 diamond):
1 - Olga Valujev / 5 - Henrik Halvorsen, 4 - Brynjar Hatun, 6 - Rasmus Vikborg ©, 13 - Johan Likdahl / 16 - Jakub Jaranski / 7 - Kimi Hartikainen, 25 - Johan Larsson / 10 - Arnar Jonsson / 9 - Rasmus Medberg Hansen, 11 - Jekaterina Smolov

The ultimate superlative of Savojar football: Record champions with 28 national championships; record champions of the SFS era with seven SFS A titles, Savojarna’s first and only IFCF title-holder after winning the IFCF 12 Champions League, and the team that has seven players who represented Savojarna at the last Copa Rushmori - only two less than the entirety of the rest of the SFS A combined. The superlatives continue off the field: their stadium, the Stadion General Hardén, is the largest stadium in the SFS A, outmatched only by the Nationalstadion Carl Gustaf Bjurman, which is not used by any club. CASK have been founded in 1916 as a team for the Savojar Army, and immediately dominated alongside Admiral Storevik thanks to being able to conscript talents into the Army and force them to play for CASK. As a result, CASK are beloved within the army, respectfully hated in other state institutions, and loathed by all union team fans in the country. As a leftover of that heritage, they still understand themselves as a decidedly Savojar club, refusing to sign foreign players with few exceptions.

Support if: you want the maximum success, you are a soldier not stationed in Landsmark, you like being called plastic
Hate if: you support literally any other team. But particularly if you’re in the Navy, you’re from Landsmark, or you want to see giants fall
Club icons: Petteri Hytönen, Thomas Larsen, Valter Birja, Artjom Revalov

Lokomotive Jarnstad
Stadium: Stadion Savojarsk Järnsvägen, cap. 53’800
Manager: Madison Bilboa (CMT)
Last season: Champion.
Expectation: 1.-5.

Transfers in: Erland Lerum (GK, AFK Savojagrad, 2.6), Jotan Haraldsson (CM, ESK Storevik, 1.6), Stefan Haraldsson (CB, Lokomotive Jarnstad U-21, 0)
Transfers out: Alena Siroljev (CM, FK Metall Jarnstad, 1.

, Gerik Knasmuller (GK/NPH, retirement)

Starting XI (4-3-3):
1 - Erland Lerum / 2 - Tova Chiswick (BRE), 3 - Tristana Palsdottir, 13 - Artjom Sobchuk, 5 - Nikolaj Poulsen / 16 - Roman Sadionov, 14 - Adrian Klaebo ©, 6 - Anna Guweddeko (QUE) / 7 - Tessa Bjarnesen (PFA), 9 - Reid Gomez (SNL), 23 - Oleg Trikhichev

The younger and more successful team in Jarnstad, unsurprisingly, these guys have a major rivalry with their neighbours over at Metall and took great joy in Metall’s fall to the second tier. The club was founded in 1929 by the Jarnstad Railway Worker’s Union, which represented both operational workers in the region as well as many of the rail construction workers. Being rooted in local workers, they have a lot of support in the city and surroundings, and the Jarnstad derby is one of the few local Savojar rivalries that is neither class-based nor ethnic. Instead, they represent two different groups of workers; however, since the railways receive much more support and funding from the state than the miners that make up Metall, Lok are sometimes seen as a state team in denial. Their fans, however, fiercely disagree and take major pride in their SFS A Season 6 championship, which marked the first time a union team won the national championship since its consolidation in the 1940s.

Support if: you’re a railway worker or train enthusiast, you want to support a successful union team
Hate if: you’re a miner or Metall fan, you want to see reckless offence
Club icons: Ivan Grivoshenko, Esko Nurminen, Henrik Ljurbyn

by **Savojarna** » Fri Jul 21, 2023 7:30 am

SFS A Season 21 - Part 1/4

Matchday 1
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–1 CASK Thorsborg
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 ASK Landsmark
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ESK Storevik 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Landsmarks Industrie 1–5 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Transport Hovikkära 1–3 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–2 Traktor St. Andrei
AFK Savojagrad 2–0 Admiral Storevik

As is tradition, the champions open the season at home, facing off against last season’s runners-up. Today, this means that in a cool, dry, and slightly windy Jarnstad, Lokomotive are hosting CASK for a game that quickly turned from a competitive but friendly duel to somewhat of a grudge match as the two teams repeatedly contested championships in past seasons. Cool and dry also fits the first goal of this game, only thirteen minutes in, as Klaebo sends a long ball over to Tessa Bjarnesen, who beats CASK rightback Halvorsen in a one on one and sets up Gomez to stop the ball, move around Hatun, and score to the bottom right side. What feels like the beginning to a great game turns out to almost be the sole goal of the match. But the inevitable Rasmus Medberg Hansen scores the equaliser with just six minutes to go, nailing a shot under the bar from 13 metres.

And elsewhere? SK Cuprum Grennvik manage an uncharacteristic five goals as Xena Allison is on absolute fire, scoring three goals in 65 minutes before being subbed off to standing ovations six minutes later. Landsmarks Industrie fail time after time to apply their pressure, with Leifsen and Mattason finding pass after pass to exploit the gaps in Industrie’s defence opened up by that pressure. Nikolai Kruul Jensen manages to win his first game as Partisan head coach thanks to Alicia Kronberg, subbed on for Mrdja at half time, shooting to provoke a rebound that Archer taps in from close range. Finally, SFS A returnees Traktor St. Andrei manage to upset a Dynamo Sjoedrhavn that looked set to win the game easily for 70 minutes. But then, in the final phase of the game, a penalty leads to the equaliser that motivates the recently promoted side. Hensberg misses a header from close range, but shortly thereafter, Lebtjenko nails a ball to the top left corner from the edge of the box that Arrowsmith never had a chance to stop, leading to Traktor celebrating their return with a win.

Matchday 2
Traktor St. Andrei 0–0 AFK Savojagrad
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Transport Hovikkära
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–0 Landsmarks Industrie
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–3 ESK Storevik
ASK Landsmark 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Lokomotive Jarnstad 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
CASK Thorsborg 2–3 Admiral Storevik

Starting off the season’s really spicy part is the first big rivalry game of the year - an Army-Navy-Derby in Thorsborg, in which the favourites may be the home team, but never write off Admiral when there is an Army team to humiliate. CASK may take the lead easily by virtue of Arnar’s late run to the box, but Admiral give back. Ludvigsson scores the equaliser half an hour in, and right before the whistle can go off, Dubois overlaps to find a cross in to the second post where Láidná taps in. CASK look shell shocked, conceding a third goal off a corner. But with a bit over twenty minutes left, the until there splendid Glóa Karvelsdottir is a half-step late against Smolov, and the hosts close the gap with a penalty - but can’t quite finish the job, losing the derby 2-3.
Nikolai Kruul Jensen’s Partisan continue to show a new, gritty, and occasionally almost dirty face, bashing down Transport Hovikkära with a lot of fighting spirit but scoring the lone goal of the game as Chandra Rosziter picks up a missed clear and bashes it past Jaakima Järvelä. And in Virkaja, ESK Storevik show the danger of their low-lying playmaker in Daniel Godijn. The Licentian midfielder, shielded by two teammates, can send the ball long twice to force a counter, resulting in first Varauskas and then Eirikur to score the leading goal twice, just for Savojars Vinge to equalise twice. But then, the third time it sticks as Eirikur SIgurdsson breaks free from Vibeke Mortensen, and manages to tick the ball sideways right before Tristan Vilhjalmursson can get there, for the overlapping Antonov to score.

Matchday 3
Libertas Bergheim 0–0 CASK Thorsborg
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
ESK Storevik 0–1 ASK Landsmark
Landsmarks Industrie 3–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Transport Hovikkära 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 4–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 0–1 Traktor St. Andrei
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

The Sjoedrhavn Derby has been recently been the domain of, for the most part, draws; but if any team had the upper hand it was mostly Dynamo - Partisan’s last victory dates back to the first half of their title-winning SFS 13 season. But reinvigorated under their new coach Kruul Jensen, Partisan are entering the match on a high, with two victories under their belt, and still not having conceded a goal. Parti are defending tightly again, with great backtracking from right winger Alicia Kronberg in particular. Captain Morten Poulsen is subbed off at half time, and shortly after his replacement Linus Nöysten finds a diagonal ball to Nygaard, who beats Arrowsmith to the far corner. Dynamo are trying to strike back, but a spectacular save in the final minutes of the game, with Virulainen punching away a short range shot by Hjort, saves Partisan’s first derby victory in almost eight years.
Elsewhere, another derby happens entirely as expected as Lok Jarnstad play a slow, calm, collected, and ultimately victorious game against a well fighting, but limited Metall. The underdog holds on for 65 minutes and then cracks under the individual skill of Tessa Bjarnesen, who beats Lagerkvist in the 1v1 and sets up the late arriving Anna Guweddeko for success. Now opening up, Metall open themselves to attacks, and Klaebo kicks off the counter that Trikhichev converts. Finally, Traktor St. Andrei manage a surprising upset after battling Admiral Storevik to a standstill. The game moves back and forth, but with no score as shots fly wide, are denied by goalkeepers, and chances are squandered on both sides. Ludvigsson even manages to hit the post on a penalty, but with ten minutes to go, after a corner, Zemunaite’s header doesn’t quite get cleared out, Semenko finds a pass back into the box, and Sven Löfqvist punches it past Mucic.

Matchday 4
CASK Thorsborg 10–1 Traktor St. Andrei
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Admiral Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 AFK Savojagrad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 4–0 Transport Hovikkära
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 ESK Storevik
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
ASK Landsmark 1–2 Landsmarks Industrie

If there’s something that the SFS never has a shortage of, it’s derbies, and Landsmark provides today’s game of the week as ASK take an early lead. Jeraväinen gets a long ball from the back from Oouri, and lays it back to Johan Fjällvik; after a through ball, Halanen chips it over the charging Paavaniemi. But with Landsmarks Industrie having the will to fight back, and the stronger quick striker in Karolina Vaitanen, they manage to strike back. Vaitanen nabs the first goal herself, then sets up Fridrika Haakonsdottir to find a gap and the shot that rebounds into the feet of Juri Novak for the 2-1.
But the more eye-catching result is CASK’s absolute demolition of a naive, overly offensive Traktor St. Andrei. They go down 4-1 by 55 minutes after an overly aggressive outlook that allows CASK to exploit space, but then it goes from bad to worse as Lebtjenko collects a red card and controversially, Semjon Katjaniev does not adjust to stronger defence, leading to CASK running into spaces and allowing Smolov four goals. Finally, Partisan Sjoedrhavn look to be on track for another 1-0 win after Archer’s first half goal, but then, Sven Vikarby controversially gets hit by - or blocks, depending on who you ask - a cross with his arm, allowing Bar to equalise via penalty. With Partisan having had their goal breached, AFK Savojagrad are putting on more pressure, and they use their momentum to get through. Just minutes after Mrdja misses an open goal, on the counter, Lena Kjaergaard crosses in from deep, and joker Chris Hjort slides in to push the ball through Virulainen’s legs for the 1-2.

Matchday 5
FK Metall Jarnstad 1–2 CASK Thorsborg
ESK Storevik 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
Landsmarks Industrie 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 ASK Landsmark
Transport Hovikkära 0–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
AFK Savojagrad 2–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Traktor St. Andrei 2–0 FK Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 3–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Admiral Storevik have started making some important changes to their team, investing in future talents like Ljusberg and Vantanen, but for this season, the side didn’t have that high ambitions yet. Today, however, they already shine - Johan Ludvigsson in particular is shining, scoring an early goal with a header and then defending the ball against the charging Broad to slip it through for Erkalainen to score the 2-0. In a surprisingly cold Storevik, Partisan are struggling, and it doesn’t help that Nöysten shovels a ball over the bar instead of into the nearly open goal. In the end, all Partisan manage to get is a single goal for Nygaard, but at least it is a rather spectacular one as she chips the ball elegantly over Tyrwulf before scoring volley.
The title favourites have to struggle a bit today, but manage to impose themselves in the end: CASK Thorsborg concede a late equaliser by Tiril Johansen, but joker Roman Igrinjev manages to shoulder away Metall’s Penelope Garner and catches out Mookie Danube for a late winner. Even later comes the goal of Lok that keeps them close to the top in their match against Industrie. What looks like a scoreless draw after 90 minutes runs into the 94th when Mészáros loses the ball to Sadianov. Klaebo sends it far to the right, where Natalja Levin is off to the races, outrunning Thorkatla and shooting before Palsson can reach her, scoring in the near corner to secure victory and keep Lok in third place.

Savojarsk Cup: Preliminary Round
Ostemkin Revolution 0–0 International Johnsberg (0–1 AET)
Bjurman Mävle 2–2 Imperial Storevik (4–2 AET)
Grigori Kartjov FK St. Pjotr 0–4 Juventus Bergheim
RFK Storevik 0–1 SFK Barjovo
Trollsheim Jarnsmän 0–1 Thor Sejersheim
Virovsk St. Andrei 0–1 FK Vestermalm Thorsborg
SK Ullström 0–7 Hallsberga Vikingur
Virkaja 1914 FK 2–2 Aurum Kjefla (2–3 AET)
SK Marjanoli 0–2 Frisks IF "Admiral Grön"
Victoria Haukkala 1–0 Högvald FK
FF Parken Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Jon Palsson IF Ljörvik (1–1 AET) (3–4 pen.)

Matchday 6
CASK Thorsborg 4–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Traktor St. Andrei
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 Admiral Storevik
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–5 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–0 Transport Hovikkära
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 3–0 Landsmarks Industrie
FK Metall Jarnstad 2–1 ESK Storevik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–1 AFK Savojagrad

AFK Savojagrad are the only team of the league to still be unbeaten, leading the SFS A with three wins and two draws, a point ahead of a larger pack. In Pawlograd, they meet their friendly rivals Torpedo in a controlled and smooth game. Neither of the teams gets a great advantage in the first half, although Cadell narrowly misses over the bar right before the break. It’s also Torpedo that come out of the break better; an hour into the game, however, Kjaergaard escapes on an overlap and gets taken down by Dina Chapman, resulting in a free kick. Drawn perfectly onto the head of Jaromir Povchuk, the centre-back scores the lone goal of the game.
More scoring happens over in Thorsborg, where CASK seem to be en route to a casual beating of FKS, going up 2-0 within half an hour. But after the break, Knut Henriksen brings on Olasdottir for a tightly packaged 3-4-3, and Mijatov scores a goal on a tap-in before Olasdottir heads on a masterful pass from Arianna Berger to allow the equaliser - except that she was offside by a few centimetres. CASK’s third goal, courtesy of a ranged shot by Arnar Jonsson, seals the deal and breaks Sjoedrhavn’s spirit, with a late goal by Aalgren little more than cosmetics. Finally, Partisan stumble over Traktor St. Andrei almost comically after dominating the game for 80 minutes. Bjarnfinnr Arnason attempts to directly pass the ball forward to Säteri, but doesn’t hit it right, allowing Posjanov to intercept and go forward - where Jón Arnar slips in his attempt to intervene, allowing a pass through for Hensberg who is now alone in front of a charging Virulainen. The Partisan keeper does block the shot with her thigh, but with the ball bouncing off high and against the underside of the bar and into the goal, Traktor equalise late in the game and take an unexpected point.

Matchday 7
ESK Storevik 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
Transport Hovikkära 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Landsmarks Industrie 0–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 1–1 Libertas Bergheim
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 0–0 ASK Landsmark
AFK Savojagrad 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Traktor St. Andrei 1–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Admiral Storevik 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

It’s a day of not one, but two rivalry games - but the least heated of the Sjoedrhavn derbies is a dry, cagey affair decided by a 59th minute header by Pekka Rintanen, so we’ll spare you the details on that. Admiral’s game against Torpedo, however, is a massive fight that is only so close from devolving into an all out brawl at times, leading to one red card a piece 40 minutes into the game after Torpedo captain Selvala Tabur kicks a ball over the sideline before Alexei Narodin can take a quick free kick. In the ensuing scuffle, Narodin and Torpedo centreback Morozov are both ejected. Right before half time, another scuffle ensues as Serebrjakov makes contact with Branislaw Mucic mid-air after a corner, and this time it’s Admiral’s Tyrwulf Haakonson that lets tempers fly by shoving off the striker after the landing. Content with yellows this time, the referee sends the teams into the locker rooms with a scoreless draw. Fittingly for this game, it is decided by penalty as the quick Láidná Olasdottir escapes all opposition, and is tripped up by the charging Sharin in the box. Calmly converted by Ola-Mikko Virttu, the penalty is the only goal in the game.
Besides all that drama, the top of the league sees a change. On Friday night, Lok Jarnstad are never truly threatened by Transport Hovikkära as the strong defensive midfield duo of the defending champions entirely neutralises the activities of Anja Grundelin in Transport’s midfield. On the other end, Jaakima Järvelä shows another good game in his last season as Transport’s keeper, but even he can’t prevent a fantastic shot by Tessa Bjarnesen from mid-range that flies into the top left corner like a straight line. The 1-0 puts pressure onto AFK Savojagrad, who now need to beat Savojars Vinge to maintain their lead - but the Academics crack under both the metaphorical pressure of the leadership fight, and the actual pressing put on by SVV, resulting in Larsson giving up a ball early on to Paasio, and the resulting counter being finished by Belgrade. AFK do claw one goal back, but it’s not enough to beat the Air Force side, and thus not enough to maintain the lead of the SFS A.

Savojarsk Cup: Round 1

Fate has not opted for too much chaos this year, with few direct duels of top teams. The big exception is the duel of ASK Landsmark and Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, with the former smelling a chance for some glory and sending a top team against Dynamo’s youth-infatuated side. Led by 18 year old goalkeeping talent Lasse Pedersen and 20 year old Ingmar Patriksson in central defence, Dynamo shut out their opponents - but with Hjort and Conville on the bench, Pickton and Khedira entirely left at home, and the loss of Polina Ostapenko to injury in the first half, they also can’t break through. Things eventually reach a shootout, where ASK keep the better end as Fjodor Meturin scrapes out Drotte’s shot. Recently relegated Energie Thorsborg meet Landsmarks Industrie and manage to score a goal in an absolutely dreary match, the only one of the goal, marking an upset for the SFS B side. A much bigger upset is pulled by Frisks IF “Admiral Grön”: 17 year old local midfielder Arnar Sigfridsson heads in a cross to equalise against Ruslan Sigorov, and in extra time, goalkeeper Arnulfr Palsson shows multiple miraculous saves to force a shootout. Here, Mirakov and Jebatsenko both miss while Frisks score all four of their penalties, celebrating the elimination of an SFS A top team. The last casualty is promotee Transport Hovikkära, who concede an unlucky goal in extra time to succumb to a surprisingly strong FK Perl Kruger Sandvik to see the National League side move on to the second round.

Matchday 8
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 4–0 Traktor St. Andrei
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–4 Admiral Storevik
ASK Landsmark 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
Libertas Bergheim 1–0 Transport Hovikkära
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
ESK Storevik 1–1 Landsmarks Industrie
CASK Thorsborg 2–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–2 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn

New leaders Lok Jarnstad meet a promising, but wildly inconsistent Dynamo Sjoedrhavn. The international star assembly that is Dynamo has been demolishing their opponents on good days, but also gave up some points easily, resulting in its 8th place despite a +8 goal differential and the second best offence of the league. Today, said offence is unleashed again, but runs up against Lok’s tight square of Sobchuk, Palsdottir, Guweddeko, and Jotan Haralds that shields Klaebo inside. It takes the guests 38 minutes to find a way around them, relying on Vilhjelm Drotte and Johanna Zetterberg combining forces to get past Poulsen and find Saevar Fyrbriggsson for the 1-0. They keep pushing for more, however, and that lets Klaebo launch his dangerous passes down the line. It’s Trikhichev who receives such a long ball, and with a cross to the far post he allows Tessa Bjarnesen to simply tap in and equalise after an hour. But even a defence as tight as Lok’s can slip up, and slip up they do when a pass that is a tad too sharp jumps over Tova Chiswick’s foot and is snapped up immediately by Khedira, who drives forward and passes back to Tretjakov to score the winner from the edge of the box.
CASK Thorsborg and Partisan Sjoedrhavn deliver another series of breathtaking blows to each other, with Medberg Hansen scoring the opener only seven minutes in in the most characteristic way possible. Leaning heavily onto Broad, he receives a ball and slips through two defenders before being able to withstand a charge from Vikarby and beating Virulainen from close range. But Archer and Mrdja set the score back to 1-2 at half time, and then, Partisan pull clear for the first time in this match as Antonia Nygaard crosses in, Hatun’s clear isn’t quite clear enough, and Rosziter scores with a flat shot from 20 metres that is deflected crucially by Tapio. CASK return the favour immediately as Smolov escapes her man and scores the 2-3, but they can’t break through the tight ship of a visibly tiring, but magistral Alyssa Broad and an aggressive Jón Arnar Halldorsson.

Matchday 9
Landsmarks Industrie 1–2 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 ESK Storevik
Transport Hovikkära 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Libertas Bergheim
Admiral Storevik 0–2 ASK Landsmark
Traktor St. Andrei 4–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
FK Sjoedrhavn 2–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
AFK Savojagrad 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad

For the end of the first quarter of the season, two of the top teams of the table meet in a game on Sunday evening that is already certain to decide the leadership. The maths is simple: Lok need to win to take the top of the table, otherwise it will stay with surprise team AFK Savojagrad. In the renovated and extended NUSArena, sold out and loud, AFK take an early initiative but see the electrifying dribble of Kovalenko stopped short by a pragmatic and dry tackle by Palsdottir - who immediately finds a long ball to Guweddeko, who heads it back to Klaebo; a long ball finds Gomez who can take it past Jokelainen, and a leading goal for Lok follows. Unfortunately for AFK, their game through the middle is poorly matching up into Lok’s aggressive central midfield, resulting in constant tackles hitting poor Sabine Bar, and a 0-2 before the break as Sadionov overlaps to score from the edge of the box after a late run. A single goal in the second half is not enough, leaving Lok to take the lead of the SFS A.
Behind the duo, Libertas Bergheim, who have started the season very promising with five wins and two draws, are facing a real challenge against Dynamo Sjoedrhavn away. In an uncharacteristic way, Dynamo’s standout players today are Nymark and Pala, stopping dangerous passes towards Vithoulkas repeatedly. Alissar Phoen enters the ranks with a spectacular last minute tackle to stop Wen Xiaohui, and launches the counter that results in Ottilia Hjort’s leading goal. A second half corner knocked on by Nymark for Conville to convert finishes the task for Dynamo. And finally, after many near misses, Transport Hovikkära get their first victory as the new promotees shut down a harmless Metall offence. The goal is a product of some bad luck for Metall’s Lasse Kilde, whose desperate lunge to block a shot results in a handball and a penalty, converted by Transport striker Ansgar Lundvik.

Standings

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 Lokomotive Jarnstad          9    6   1   2    10    5   +5    19
 2 AFK Savojagrad               9    5   3   1    14    6   +8    18
 3 CASK Thorsborg               9    5   2   2    25   12  +13    17
 4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn            9    5   2   2    17    6  +11    17
 5 Libertas Bergheim            9    5   2   2     8    4   +4    17
 6 Traktor St. Andrei           9    5   2   2    12   17   −5    17
 7 Admiral Storevik             9    5   1   3    12    9   +3    16
 8 Partisan Sjoedrhavn          9    5   1   3    11   10   +1    16
 9 SK Cuprum Grennvik           9    4   3   2    12    9   +3    15
10 ESK Storevik                 9    4   1   4     9    9    0    13
11 FK Torpedo Pawlograd         9    3   2   4    11    6   +5    11
12 FK Metall Jarnstad           9    3   2   4     5    7   −2    11
13 ASK Landsmark                9    2   3   4     4    5   −1     9
14 Landsmarks Industrie         9    2   2   5     8   14   −6     8
15 FK Sjoedrhavn                9    2   1   6     9   18   −9     7
16 Savojars Vinge Virkaja       9    2   1   6     7   21  −14     7
17 Dynamo Novaya Russica        9    0   4   5     1    7   −6     4
18 Transport Hovikkära          9    1   1   7     2   12  −10     4

by **Savojarna** » Wed Aug 02, 2023 5:11 am

SFS A Season 21 - Part 2/4

Matchday 10
CASK Thorsborg 2–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 1–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
ASK Landsmark 0–3 Traktor St. Andrei
Lokomotive Jarnstad 1–4 Admiral Storevik
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 4–1 Transport Hovikkära
Landsmarks Industrie 1–3 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Libertas Bergheim 3–3 AFK Savojagrad

Libertas Bergheim, sitting in fifth, and second-placed AFK Savojagrad are the surprise teams of the hour, and they meet at the Bergheims Samfunnetsstadion. Between Libertas’ fast, short passing focused game and AFK’s possession play relying on Bar’s magistral playmaking and deep runs from its wingers, the two are locked in a spectacle that produces a 1-1 at half time. Neither side can pull away, as Vithoulkas’ sideways assist to Vingegaard is countered just six minutes later with a long ball by Bar, passed flatly inwards by Östberg and tapped in by Nichajev. Drawn at 2-2, the teams trade blow for blow, but don’t manage to score. Thelander heads out a Göran Jaerbyn cross just ahead of Hjort, and Jonas Hilde manages a spectacular save against Kovalenko from twelve metres; on the other side, Sigorov punches a ranged shot from Bar out of the corner but can’t stop Valtter Marvinsson from heading in the following corner. Now, AFK are pushing back for the second time, forcing first Racic and then Hilde again to make two crucial interventions. But this is a game that doesn’t deserve a loser, and Libertas centre-back Trixie Cottan seems to agree. The Brenecian veteran clears a corner poorly to AFK’s Daniel Godijn, who takes aim from 22 metres to send a crushing shot to the top left for the equaliser.
Elesewhere, games don’t quite match that level of excitement. Lok Jarnstad take an off day at work, lacking the suspended Roman Sadionov and missing defensive organiser Tristana Palsdottir with a muscular issue. With Bjarnesen playing wastefully and Gomez having an off-day, their offence can’t quite match Admiral’s brutal efficiency, scoring two goals with their first three attempts. In the end, 1-4 is an overly punishing result, but victory is deserved for the Storevik side. Over in Thorsborg, CASK profit by taking the lead as the first of a pack of three teams tied on points, thanks to a quick response to Xena Allison’s 0-1 for Cuprum and a second half header by Medberg Hansen. Initially saved by the keeper, it bounces right on the foot of Smolov, who chips it over the keeper into the goal.

Matchday 11
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–2 CASK Thorsborg
Transport Hovikkära 0–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–1 ESK Storevik
AFK Savojagrad 1–2 FK Metall Jarnstad
Admiral Storevik 2–1 Libertas Bergheim
Traktor St. Andrei 0–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 ASK Landsmark
SK Cuprum Grennvik 2–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja

Savojars Vinge came in with expectations under former national coach Lijushkin, after he had wrangled the team into shape and managed a convincing midfield finish last season. Adding in more defensive depth and one of the best SFS B strikers in the young Juha Kellamäki from Transport, they were expected to show up, but struggled so far, sitting only in 16th. Today, things don’t get easier away at Partisan Sjoedrhavn, who need only 13 minutes before Mrdja cuts between Ahlqvist and Miatanen to receive a deadly pass from Morten Poulsen, but thankfully for SVV, the Nepharan doesn’t hit the ball right and sends it rolling at goalkeeper Tristan. Five minutes later, there’s less luck as Rosziter steps sideways around Jokiainen, fires a shot from seventeen metres, and hits the top right corner. The Air Force side is lucky as Partisan slow down and take off the gas, allowing Bjergsen and Packard-Grey to combine through and score the equaliser.
Elsewhere, Lok Jarnstad stumble over a spirited Traktor St. Andrei, whose relentless pressing stop the long balls from Klaebo to take full effect. Still, they almost score twice, but Gomez hits the post and Bjarnesen gets stopped by a fantastic reactive save by Neparev; the following corner lands in the goal, but only after Jotan Haraldsson uses Peramäki’s shoulder to reach the ball. Finally, SK Cuprum score a dramatic late victory over FK Torpedo, profiting from Thea Leifsen’s crucial tackle in the box against Serebrjakov that stops an 83rd minute winner. Three minutes later, it’s Cuprum themselves who score the 1-0 with Tepparainen barreling down the right side, plays a diagonal pass to Saratov, and the joker scores volley. With de Wahr finishing off the game in injury time, it is a victory for Cuprum.

Savojarsk Cup Second Round

Savojarna’s second cup round has a few more spicy games than the first. As always, the first focus is on the SFS A duels, of which there are three this round. Savojars Vinge Virkaja, struggling in the league, pull themselves together for a day and use their home advantage to stun Partisan’s second string keeper Kaspars Żalgiris. The Kuraitan does not see Kristina Jonsdottir’s shot coming, and the midfielder catches him out with a shot to the top left corner. It will remain the only goal of the game as a Partisan that clearly seems to be conserving itself for the league can’t beat Tristan. Admiral Storevik also struggle offensively, resting Ludvigsson in favour of Hrafnar Kolbeinnsson and sending on 20 year old Knut Jensen on the right; in the middle, the first half is played by 17 year old academy talent Anja Ulfsdotter. With the team struggling to break through FK Sjoedrhavn’s defence, Brygg and Láidná come on after an hour to salvage something, but the score remains at 0-0 until extra time, where a long free kick is nodded on by Kjaeresund and pushed over the line by Mortensen. In a counter, Fredrik Knudsen scores an insurance goal for FKS. Finally, CASK Thorsborg play a slow and mediocre match against ESK Storevik, winning 1-0 thanks to a first half goal by Urho Tuomela. Upsets are even rarer this time round, although third division side Jaromirgrad Union push Libertas to the brink by holding onto a 0-0 until Liam Trout simply beats two opponents in consecutive 1v1 situations to score. The main upset of the round is Industrie Hovikkära, a bumbling Nationalligaen team, pulling level to the SFS B’s Elektron Harkka thanks to a brace from 2.09 tall talent Ilmo Surminen. With old veteran Tsygankov scoring her winner from off-side, Industrie get to dream in overtime, and score a penalty to move on to the final 16 as one of two Nationalligaen teams.

Matchday 12
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 2–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ASK Landsmark 0–2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 1–3 Traktor St. Andrei
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Admiral Storevik
ESK Storevik 0–2 AFK Savojagrad
Landsmarks Industrie 3–3 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 Transport Hovikkära
CASK Thorsborg 1–0 FK Torpedo Pawlograd

CASK, the fourth team in this season to lead the SFS A, are welcoming Torpedo Pawlograd with an opportunity to lay some distance between themselves and their first pursuitors as Dynamo Sjoedrhavn lose points in a spectacular draw earlier on the day. The Thorsborgers are aware of the momentous opportunity in front of them and pressure Torpedo from the beginning, but a splendid action from Stepanek and former CASK defender Timo Pohjanainen keeps the strikers at bay - until in the 40th minute, when Gröneveld’s desperate lunge clips the foot of Janna Sauthier and brings her down. But amazingly, Smolov’s shot is saved from the bottom right corner, and the game remains tied at half time. However, with Torpedo struggling to break through CASK’s relentless offence, it is a question of time until joker Lasse Holtby, coming from depth, cuts through and gets a diagonal ball from Likdahl to score.
Pursuitors Dynamo Sjoedrhavn meet Landsmarks Industrie, and run straight into the aggressive press of the outsiders. Scoring two by the hands of Fridrika and Vaitanen, the Landsmarkers take the lead, but Dynamo claw one back before the break - only for Mészáros to stunning them with a long run in injury time to take a 3-1 lead to the break. But it all comes undone in the final twenty minutes as Hjort fends off Fischer and beats Paavaniemi in a scrappy manner before Routsiainen heads in a corner for the 3-3, salvaging at least one point from what could have been a very nasty defeat for Dynamo Sjoedrhavn.

Matchday 13
Transport Hovikkära 1–1 CASK Thorsborg
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
AFK Savojagrad 3–1 Landsmarks Industrie
Traktor St. Andrei 0–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–0 Libertas Bergheim
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 2–0 Lokomotive Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 1–0 ASK Landsmark
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 2–3 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Admiral Storevik 1–3 ESK Storevik

It’s a spectacular day as the Dynamos clash in Sjoedrhavn, Partisan and Lok meet in a duel of two top teams, and the Storevik Derby is set to fire off on Sunday night in the Marinestadion. Admiral are starting out motivated against their rivals ESK, but get bogged down in a tight midfield thanks to some nerves in the team, leading to inaccurate passes and quick counter opportunities for ESK. On one of those, leftback Antonov joins the attack and finds the cross to Eirikur Sigurdsson for the 1-0 that stuns Admiral. Off the back of the shock, ESK manage another goal as Godijn finds a long ball to Eirikur, and Ignas Varauskas takes the ball to sneak past Dmitriev and score. Even though Admiral manage to get one back in the second half, it’s not enough to stop ESK from taking a derby win.
Over in Sjoedrhavn, the other derby of the day is just as clear as everyone expected in advance. Dynamo Novaya Russica, struggling in 17th, cannot compete with the soaring Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, being picked apart methodically by the tireless duo of Phoen and Tretjakov. The latter finds a one-two with Khedira playing a false 9, before sending the ball deep for Conville to score from the right wing. The second goal is scored by Tretjakov by a penalty, closing the game out. Finally, in Sjoedrhavn, the Saturday headliner turns into a disaster for Lok, who are surprised by Partisan’s adaptation. Relying on two deep wingbacks and the surprising midfield duo of Rosziter and Cronin, Parti are letting Klaebo run his game but manage to take out all of the targets for Lok’s captain. As a result, many long balls are secured in midfield and sent down the sides for Partisan, who use their inverted wingers well to allow Mrdja a goal and let Lapanen, playing on the unusual left wing position, set up a tap-in for joker Robin Norderberg.

Matchday 14
CASK Thorsborg 2–0 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
ASK Landsmark 0–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
Lokomotive Jarnstad 2–0 SK Cuprum Grennvik
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 FK Sjoedrhavn
ESK Storevik 1–5 Traktor St. Andrei
Landsmarks Industrie 2–1 Admiral Storevik
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–1 AFK Savojagrad
Transport Hovikkära 1–4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Libertas Bergheim 5–4 Partisan Sjoedrhavn

Libertas Bergheim and Partisan Sjoedrhavn are two teams known for capacity to be spectacular, and they deliver as they clash in this game at the Samfunnetsstadion. Libertas in particular open up vigorously with two goals within sixteen minutes, profiting from some horrid defence on a Partisan side that lacks a key member in the suspended Alyssa Broad. But on the other side, mistakes happen too; Valtter Marvinsson loses a ball in buildup and allows Nygaard to score off a counter before Mrdja pokes a loose ball over the line following a corner. And with ten minutes to go to the break, Partisan lead for the first time today as Archer gets a cross from the left and heads it on, Pjatov has it bounce off his thigh, and Poulsen converts. The game settles into stalemate following Jubkin’s equaliser, but then, a shot hits the outstretched arm of Vikarby for a penalty, to be slotted in by Vithoulkas; six minutes later, Libertas counter into the wild attacks of Partisan and see the overlapping Alvin Strid to cross in, Vithoulkas to head it back, and 18 year old midielder Sandra Hallar scores her first goal in the SFS A. A crazy game ends 5-4 after Alicia Kronberg brings Partisan back within touching distance.
No other game matches this drama, but there is plenty goals to go around this weekend as Traktor St. Andrei abuse a tired-looking ESK Storevik that just falls short on every front, and have Malena Hensberg note a hattrick in their 5-1 demolition of the Storevikers. Over in Hovikkära, the other promotee side is also involved in a clear victory, but sit on the other side of the table as Transport are ripped apart by Dynamo Sjoedrhavn, who lead 4-0 after 50 minutes before settling into a canter and bringing home the three points.

Matchday 15
AFK Savojagrad 1–0 Transport Hovikkära
Admiral Storevik 1–0 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Traktor St. Andrei 0–6 Landsmarks Industrie
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–0 ESK Storevik
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 1–0 FK Metall Jarnstad
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–2 Lokomotive Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–1 ASK Landsmark
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 1–2 CASK Thorsborg

Dynamo vs CASK is the duel of two teams tied for first place, and it is a banger from the first minute. Pitting Dynamo’s ensemble of international stars against CASK’s homegrown eleven, neither side pulls its punches, and within ten minutes, Medberg Hansen narrowly misses a cross and Siobhan Conville hits the crossbar. Then Larsson cuts to the inside and gets clipped by the backtracking Wallace Pickton, resulting in a free kick. Johan Likdahl’s cross lands on Jaranski’s head for the lead for the guests, who defend it until half time - or so they think. With just a few seconds left on the clock, Pickton makes up for his mistake by gaining a ball and sending it long for Khedira to take past Vikborg, duck past Brynjar Hatun and beat Vikborg. In the second half, everyone sees a deflected shot by Tretjakov in the goal, but Tapio heads the ball off the line to hold on to the 1-1, and a bit over ten minutes later, Janna Sauthier rushes down the right side to cross the ball in, where Medberg Hansen sets up Smolov for a tap.
Besides this game, there are a lot of cagey matches - and an absolute demolition, as the already inconsistent Traktor St. Andrei run into a terrible day. Three minutes in, Kasimir Benatsenko - who dropped back between the centre-backs - plays a terrible pass in the general direction of Trofim Lebtjenko, who cannot help losing it to the pressing Amilaga. One pass in the front later, captain Morten Pedersen scores the early lead; six minutes later, a cross bounces off Peramäkis foot and through Neparev’s legs into Traktor’s own goal. Before half time, Sven Löfqvist manages to get a red card, putting them on the road to a 0-6 defeat. Finally, Torpedo sniff an upset win over Lok Jarnstad for a long time after taking the lead thanks to a spectacular chip pass by Silverberg setting up Viera for the lead. But with only eleven minutes to go, Ludvik Stepanek, who played a fantastic game so far, is late on a charge and hits Henrik Elvers’ shoulder. Klaebo converts the following penalty, and with the hosts destabilised, Rikke Söderström concludes the game with the reversal for Lok in the final minutes.

Savojarsk Cup Octofinal
Industrie Hovikkära (NL) 0–2 Metsuri Virkaja (SFS B)
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
FK Sjoedrhavn 1–0 CASK Thorsborg
Navigator Jaromirgrad (SFS B) 0–2 SK Cuprum Grennvik
Union Poljansk (NL) 2–1 Agrar Jurka FK (SFS B)
Energie Thorsborg (SFS B) 1–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja (2–1 AET)
Dynamo Novaya Russica 0–0 Libertas Bergheim (0–0 AET) (4–5 pen.)
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 1–1 ASK Landsmark (2–1 AET)

According to tradition, the octofinals become the big showcase for the lower league teams who strive to reach the new year still in the Cup. Despite 10 of the 18 SFS A teams still being in the competition, the draw is kind to the minnows, pitting the two remaining Nationalligaen sides against SFS B teams - and while Industrie are easily dispatched by a calm and collected Metsuri, Union Poljansk actually pull off the upset against SFS B lower-table side Agrar Jurka thanks to a 19 year old winger by the name of Ljubomir Karlov escaping Agrar’s defence and cutting the ball back to Union captain Esjalov for the winning goal. Energie Thorsborg have only been recently relegated, and against Savojars Vinge, they want to show that they, too, can still hang with the big dogs. Virkaja let their legs rest after Packard-Grey’s 1-0, and they are punished in the second half when a range shot from Nicolai Larsson bounces off the crossbar and into the goal. In overtime, neither team dares much, but after a combination of Torsenkov and Larsson, the former gets a corner - and of all people, 36 year old club legend Zibo Olberg heads the ball in and eliminates another top division side.
In the duels of the SFS A teams, there is a Jarnstad Derby that is played extremely aggressively, physically, and at times borderline violently. As a result, with the score still 0-0, coach Bilbao decides to sub out Klaebo, Gomez, and Bjarnesen for a fear of injury; fittingly, Lok score by a penalty after Nepharan defender Penelope Garner challenges Elvers in a way that Lok defender Nik Poulsen described as “attempted physical injury”. FK Sjoedrhavn surprisingly beat a tired-looking CASK thanks to tight defensive solidarity and CASK’s refusal to play either of their top strikers for more than ten minutes; Dynamo Novaya Russica and Libertas play a tired and boring 0-0 that is only broken by penalties. Torpedo and ASK do manage an inspired game, however, with shots on both sides being plentiful, but imprecise. After a slew of missed chances and one goal each, Torpedo score the decider after a deflected pass lands with Zander Cadell, who scores past the surprised and unlucky Meturin.

Matchday 16
Lokomotive Jarnstad 4–1 Savojars Vinge Virkaja
Libertas Bergheim 1–1 FK Torpedo Pawlograd
FK Metall Jarnstad 0–1 SK Cuprum Grennvik
ESK Storevik 0–3 Partisan Sjoedrhavn
Landsmarks Industrie 4–2 FK Sjoedrhavn
Dynamo Sjoedrhavn 2–2 AFK Savojagrad
Dynamo Novaya Russica 2–0 Traktor St. Andrei
Transport Hovikkära 0–0 Admiral Storevik
CASK Thorsborg 3–0 ASK Landsmark

CASK vs ASK is a game that will never fail to attract a following, even if there is a large gap between the two teams in the table. The game, however, doesn’t really deliver unless you happen to be a CASK fan - in which case taking only 24 minutes to put two behind ASK is a great feeling. Or if you’re Jekaterina Smolov, in which case you can put down an assist and a goal to your name. ASK do attempt to make a comeback with a second striker, but their 4-4-2 throwback to the ASK of old is something that the Thorsborgers have dealt with time and time again. For a moment, it seems like Semjon Afanasenko manages to draw ASK back into touch, but it’s ruled offside; eight minutes later, Alexander Ilikin puts the lid on the game with his 3-0 from the edge of the box.
The spectacle comes from elsewhere today: Saturday evening, 20:00, primetime showdown in Sjoedrhavn between second and third. AFK’s slick play dominates in the first half, but there is no goal for 37 minutes, until Nichajev shields the ball against Nymark, turns around the defender, and falls over his leg. Referee Antti Peliainen immediately points to the spot, and Sabine Bar puts the guests very deservedly ahead. But shortly after the break, with Khedira substituted for Saevar Fyrbriggsson, Dynamo manage to push back with a counter that ends in a cross by the overlapping Zetterberg, and a header by Saevar that leaves no chance to Ruslan Sigorov in the AFK goal. Despite young Boris Kajanov finding a gap through to take a long ball into the box and score, Dynamo keep pushing and equalise a second time as torrential rain sets in in the final twenty minutes. In the rain, Sigorov has a wet ball slip out of his hands, and from close range, Ottilia Hjort pushes it over the line, celebrating a point sitting in the mud. In the end, however, the draw doesn’t help anyone but CASK, who pull four points clear of their first pursuitor.

Matchday 17
Admiral Storevik 0–0 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn
Traktor St. Andrei 0–0 Transport Hovikkära
FK Sjoedrhavn 0–1 Dynamo Novaya Russica
Partisan Sjoedrhavn 3–1 Landsmarks Industrie
SK Cuprum Grennvik 0–0 ESK Storevik
FK Torpedo Pawlograd 4–1 FK Metall Jarnstad
Savojars Vinge Virkaja 0–1 Libertas Bergheim
ASK Landsmark 0–1 Lokomotive Jarnstad
AFK Savojagrad 1–5 CASK Thorsborg

AFK Savojagrad are getting a chance at redemption for their unlucky draw last week, and face leaders CASK in the final game before the winter break. Like so often, CASK start very aggressively, looking for an early lead, but this time they fail as Ruslan Sigorov shows a massive parry, blocking a shot from ten metres by Smolov with a reactive save off his left knee. However, 32 minutes in, the resistance breaks as Sigorov again stops a header by Medberg Hansen with great reaction, but Arnar Jonsson converts the rebound. Right before the break, they add another with Hartikainen getting too much space on the wing and curling the ball into the top right spectacularly. After the break, AFK want to come back and revert the score, but instead face a double whammy as first Larsson and then Smolov score on consecutive counterattacks, leaving AFK destroyed despite their goal of honour in the final phases of the game.
With AFK losing to the leaders and Dynamo drawing a tenacious Admiral after a second half header goal by Saevar is disallowed for interfering with the defender, the second spot is ready for picking - and Partisan jump at the opportunity. Captain Morten Poulsen is rested for the day, and with that change, Chandra Rosziter takes over responsibility and puts in a magistral performance with one assist and one opening pass to Nygaard that the winger uses to cross in to Mrdja for the 2-0. Landsmarks Industrie do manage to get a goal back, but it’s not enough to make a meaningful difference as Ola Lapanen comes off the bench to close out a win that puts Partisan in second place. Finally, the game between Torpedo and Metall is decided at half time as Torpedo lead 3-0 against an uninspired and tired-looking Metall, but the second Torpedo goal is worthy of a highlight reel: Following a deep pass, Anselmo Viera runs down the right side to get confronted by Minna Lagerkvist - and drops a pass back with his heel onto the overlapping Boris Vidarkov. The 19 year old rightback twirls a perfect cross to the second post, where Zander Cadell takes a volley shot on the level of his hip to score spectacularly.

Standings

   Savojar Football Serien A  Pld    W   D   L    GF   GA   GD   Pts 
 1 CASK Thorsborg              17   12   3   2    43   16  +27    39
 2 Partisan Sjoedrhavn         17   11   2   4    30   17  +13    35
 3 Lokomotive Jarnstad         17   11   2   4    22   14   +8    35
 4 Dynamo Sjoedrhavn           17    9   5   3    32   15  +17    32
 5 AFK Savojagrad              17    9   5   3    28   19   +9    32
 6 Admiral Storevik            17    9   3   5    22   16   +6    30
 7 Libertas Bergheim           17    8   4   5    21   18   +3    28
 8 Traktor St. Andrei          17    8   4   5    23   28   −5    28
 9 SK Cuprum Grennvik          17    7   4   6    18   16   +2    25
10 Landsmarks Industrie        17    6   3   8    27   29   −2    21
11 ESK Storevik                17    6   3   8    18   23   −5    21
12 FK Torpedo Pawlograd        17    5   3   9    20   19   +1    18
13 FK Metall Jarnstad          17    5   2  10     9   17   −8    17
14 FK Sjoedrhavn               17    5   2  10    16   27  −11    17
15 ASK Landsmark               17    4   3  10     6   16  −10    15
16 Savojars Vinge Virkaja      17    4   2  11    15   35  −20    14
17 Dynamo Novaya Russica       17    3   4  10     7   15   −8    13
18 Transport Hovikkära         17    2   4  11     6   23  −17    10

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