It has looked a bit like that for Södertälje in the semi-final series against Norrköping. In their defense, stars such as Frida and Elin Eldebrink, Louice Halvarsson and Klara Lundquist have been dragged with both illnesses and injuries, but it has still surprised many that Norrköping managed to push them so hard.
And pressed them even today, at least for a few minutes.
Then Klara Lundquist stepped into the action in earnest at the end of the first period. For a while, it felt like Södertälje's star was everywhere and by halftime the home team had gone up into a 49-32 lead after 22 Klara points, six rebounds and two assists.
"I think we had a great first half, we really played as a team today," Lundquist said.
At the beginning of the third period, Norrköping tried to make a game of it all, but they honestly got nowhere and when star Alexa Held, who has been a big reason why Norrköping managed to pick up two games against Södertälje, drew two unsportsmanlike fouls in a short time, she was shown out to the locker room by the referee trio.
"She hasn't been in the game mentally at all, I'm very surprised by her actions and play, it's not worthy of a fifth, decisive match," says SVT expert Nick Rajacic.
Lundquist slowed down a bit in the second half and had to settle for 30 points, ten rebounds and three assists. A decent day's work.
The match was won by Södertälje with 84–53 and now the series winner Luleå awaits in the final.