Hi,
new season is approaching fast and it will again be exciting one. As usual, we will play in the consolation tourmanent, where 82 teams compete for hosting the next area championships. For us, European teams, that usually means needing to win the tournament. However, now not all teams are eligible for the main (and only) prize. If some team won any medal in the last five seasons, it only plays "for fun". Such teams in this seasons tournament are France, Serbia, Germany and Greece. There are still many very competitive teams left, so we cannot realistically compete for the only trophy of the tournament. A nice success would be qualification in the playoffs, which wasnt accomplished in the last try. Given our schedule, it will be difficult, but definitely feasible. Our opponents are as follows:
Albania (home). A game that shouldnt be very difficult, although first games are always a bit risky. But we are strong favourites in this one.
Russia (away). Contrary to the first game, this one will be very tough to win. Russia beat us in the last EC, although we were close. But now they will have the home-court advantage (HCA), which will put them further ahead.
Senegal (home). Team which I am not very familiar with, but given our HCA, I definitely see us as favourites. In any case, if we want to get to the playoffs, this is a must win game.
Columbia (away). Another difficult away game, where we will be underdogs. But we will try to increase our odds.
Brazil (home): A strong opponent, but at home. This is one of the two crucial games, which will decide our fate.
India (away): Long journey to New Delhi and low energy after game against Brazil will not do us any good, but still I see us as favourites in this one.
England (home): Similarly to game against Brazil, this will be one of the decisive matches. England is slightly better in quality, but our HCA should negate that, and a close score is expected.
Pakistan (away): Consolation tournament is really one of the least eco-friendly competitions ever created, instead of playing back-to-back games in Asia, we fly back to Sweden, than back east...
In any case, this one shouldnt be difficult, but Pakistan will most likely attack us with crunch time, so we will have to stay focused.
Bottom line, four easy(-ier) games, two games, where win will be very difficult to get, and two very unpredictable games. Score needed is usually 5-3 with good point difference, so every game we will have to do our best.
As for the draft, the number of promising draftees is much much higher this season then it was in the last draft. Some are also on the market now (Im talking about MVP, HoF and even AtG potentials). I want to highlight specifically
Alexander Eckhult (
(53065707), who is on the market right now (until sunday 9 am), and is truly a perfect trainee with All time great potential (I believe the only one in Sweden). It is best, if he stays in Sweden, so I hope some really dedicated manager will buy him. I also contacted other managers with promising players (and some will be contacted soon), this generation really looks very promising
Once again I invite you to our discord channel (https://discord.gg/xZNmX6jdX7). First it was three of us, then four, five and now I dont count anymore. Debate got quite lively. Since much of it is in swedish, I dont follow everything anymore, but it is definitely worth to join.
Good luck in the upcoming season to everyone