Luleå finished "only" third in the regular season this season, 18 points behind one Brynäs who is now waiting in the final.
The placement is the team's lowest since the 2014/2015 season, ie before the merger between Luleå Hockey and Munksund-Skuthamn SK (MSSK).
Goalkeeper Sara Grahn, who joined the association in 2018, agrees that this year's squad is a little thinner than in recent years.
"A messy season"
- Yes, we have had a slightly messier season and had to fight more than before when we had a broad team with many top players.
We have been hard on some players throughout the season, who have also been away at the World Cup and Olympics and may be a little tired now at the end of the season, she says and continues:
- Still, I think we have really got it together now and everyone has gotten the best out of themselves here in the playoffs.
I hope we have another little gear but I really think we are in shape and that we have a good feeling in the group.
Who are the favorites in the final series?
- Of course we believe in ourselves, but Brynäs has the favorite and has been good during the season.
We'll see how they handle it.
Playoffs are playoffs and you have to deal with the nerves as well.
We know what it takes to be a winner after the last match of the season.
Luleå's head coach Mikael Forsberg.
Photo: Bildbyrån
"Everything speaks for Luleå"
According to coach Mikael Forsberg, there are no injuries or illnesses in the squad at the moment.
- We drive with a full squad.
Of course, everyone has bruises, but you should have that after playing some tough matches.
What speaks for Luleå and Brynäs respectively in the battle for the gold?
- Everything speaks well for us to be.
We refuse to ever give in and we fight into the tile.
We will do everything to bring home the gold.
It will be incredibly fun to play the final again.
The first final match in the best of five will be broadcast on Wednesday 18.00 on SVT2 and SVT Play.