Borås was awarded the Swedish Championship gold in March last year, when the season was interrupted due to the pandemic.

After that, they recruited very wisely and were considered one of the obvious favorites when the season started in October.

Suffering from injury problems

But the team has not really lived up to the high expectations, compared to, for example, the top competitor Södertälje.

The players' health is part of the explanation.

- Considering all the injury problems we had, I think we have done ok.

Had we been healthier, we would have been higher up in the table, says Borås head coach Henrik Svensson to SVT Sport.

Borås has won the last three matches and is currently four in the table.

- The league is very even this year, where all teams can beat everyone.

Borås is one of the favorites with very competent players in all positions, says Södertälje's coach Ludwig Degernäs.

The teams have met twice this season and have each won a match.

"Can't stop him completely"

It is a slightly damaged Södertälje, which goes to Borås.

Dino Pita is still suffering from an injury and it is a question mark for both Samuel Berkelund, who injured himself in the winning match against Jämtland last Friday, and Anton Gaddefors.

In Borås, the game engine Marek Klassen is a potential trump card.

The talented Canadian is second in both the points league and the assist league, which speaks its clear language.

The Södertälje players also need to keep an extra eye on the Class' guard colleague Avery Woodson, who scored a total of 39 points in the "monster match" against Luleå on 22 January.

- Woodson is one of the best players in the league when it comes to creating situations for 3-pointers, especially when he goes to the right.

We have to stop as many shots as possible from him, but he is so good that you can not stop him completely, says Degernäs.

Coach Svensson has high hopes regarding Woodson's continued development in the club.

- Avery is a good shooter.

If he can stay healthy and have a good training rhythm, we will probably see him do a very good second half of the season, says Svensson.

You can watch the match in SVT Play / SVT24 or in the player above at 19.30.

Commentator: Chris Härenstam