For the first time since 2011, there will be Swedish Championship finals in speedway without Småland involvement.

The Indians and Masars begin the final series on Tuesday night in Kumla.

And for the Indians, it is a big question mark whether the World Cup driver and the team's star Niels-Kristian Iversen drives at all.

Iversen first crashed in Saturday's World Cup final in Torun, and then he was involved in a new crash in the Polish league, where he overturned himself and was brutally run over by the British Tai Woffinden, who did not have time to give way to the Dane.

- His participation is very uncertain.

There's probably not even a 50 percent chance.

A huge break for us, of course.

He is one of our best drivers and has been fantastically strong in the playoffs, says Peter Johansson, team leader in the Indians, to SVT Sport.

Poke your own product

However, the Indians have picked Iversen's compatriot Kenneth Bjerre for the final matches, and have chosen in advance to poke their own product Ludvig Lindgren.

- We have taken out the team that is strongest on the track, and with Bjerre we have access to another top driver, says Peter Johansson.

There is no doubt that the club longs for gold.

The last time the club won gold was in 1990 and 1991 with club legend Henrik "Henka" Gustafsson as the big star.

- It is clear that we are going for a long-awaited gold.

With a full team, it would have been a different matter.

But if we all get to work, we should still be able to challenge the Masars.

But they can be favorites, they have a very strong team where many can step forward, says Peter Johansson.

Not won since Tony's time

In Avesta, Masarna is charging to take home their first Swedish Championship gold since 2000, when the club icon and six-time world champion Tony Rickardsson led the Dala club to his only Swedish Championship gold so far.

Team captain Kim Nilsson hopes that the team's fine form at the end is enough to take a new Swedish Championship gold.

- I think we are driving good enough speedway right now to win.

But the Indians have good drivers.

They are a bit like us, with several stable scorers, says Kim Nilsson.

What will determine?


- It's hard to say, but I think maybe we have a little more advantage at home than them.

I hope so, says Kim Nilsson.

The late recruited star Nicki Pedersen knows what he needs to do for it to become gold.

- They recruited me to the playoffs, and if I come here and take my ten points every match, we have the chance.

The club has not won gold in 20 years, it would be fun if we succeeded now, he says.