Östersund Basket was a success in its return to basketball's top league last season.
They finished third in the regular season – making the process short against Visby in the quarterfinals – and then pushed future Swedish champions Norrköping to a fifth and decisive game in the semifinals.
After the season, however, they lost several leading players. These include Elena Popkey, a key player for Östersund in recent seasons, and Mehryn Kraker, who won the forward of the year award last year.
Enlisted the Points Queen
Östersund has replenished the squad with several interesting names for this season. Most prestigious is probably the signing of two-time top scorer Jessica Kelliher, who joined from last season's quarter-final opponent Visby. Another American, Gaby Bronson, who has played for several European clubs in recent seasons, is also new to the squad.
National team veteran Malin Aasa has made a comeback after a 7-year hiatus and Danielle Elvbo, who ended her career after last season, also chose to make a comeback now at the end of January.
"We want to compete"
Today, this year's playoffs kick off where Östersund takes on Uppsala in the first quarterfinal in a best-of-three match.
"You have to have respect for hurrying slowly. Last year we didn't really know what we were getting into, but this year we know more and we have a different confidence," said Östersund coach Alva Stark.
Quarterfinal opponents Uppsala, who finished on the same score in the table, are the team Östersund believes they have the best track of.
"There are two physical teams that both have size, so I expect it to be exciting games," Stark says.
In the clip above, coach Alva Stark sums up the season and looks ahead to the playoffs.