On a sunny but windy Anzac day Södermalm kicked off the season by losing a tough game against the Solna Axemen 94 – 84. In the second game Bromma defeated Årsta 70 – 61.

A new, younger Södermalm team graced the fields of Årsta in Round 1 of the SAFF 2010 competition. With no fewer than 7 players making their club debuts, the Blues got off to a great start in the 1st Qtr into the wind to lead by 3 goals at qtr time.

Photo: Kristy Pirovano (thanks!)

The 2nd qtr with the wind didn’t go as planned and we allowed Solna back into the game, however the Blues still maintained a slim margin at the half time break.

Unfortunately for the Blues, a lapse in concentration during the 3rd qtr allowed Solna to kick 6 unanswered goals and thereby set up a game-winning lead into the final quarter. But for this 10 minute period in the 3rd qtr, the Blues were able to control most areas of the game.

In the end, the Blues couldn’t make up the difference and went down by 10 points.

Coach Jordo was cool and calm after the game, reflecting that he was happy enough with his men and their performance. “We played well for long periods of the match, I’m happy with that considering that half the team were playing their 1st game for the club.”

– You were pretty angry at 3 qtr time… what was that about?
“That 10 min lapse in concentration during the 3rd qtr cost us the game.”

– Where to from here Jordo?
“Bromma on Saturday the 8th May. We are looking forward to the Grand Final replay, and, as we do with every game, we expect to win… Have no doubts, we will get much better than today’s performance, and once this team gels, we will be very tough for the other clubs to beat”.

Södermalm’s “Players Player” for Round 1 was Petter Eek who dominated play between half forward and half back.