Anders

Hej! That's three more than I knew of! I knew of Mika, but I didn't know that Partanen and Hautala had switched from Indianerna. I knew that Västervik had applied for a Finnish rider, but had no idea about his name. Can't think of any other club that has a Finn in the squad, but Valsarna have two Norwegian riders in their squad; Thomas Gunnestad and Jesper Gjermandsen.

42.00 in Elitserien, 45.00 in Allsvenskan and no points limit in Division 1.

All league rounds for Elitserien will likely be covered by an individual thread for each round, but I thought it would be an idea to post general news for Swedish speedway in a special thread, just like last year. On Friday, the 17th of April, the Swedish season starts with the traditional Vetlanda Lagcup (Vetlanda 4 Team Tournament), with 12 teams over 3 qualifying meetings on Friday and 3 finals on Saturday. All meetings, with the exception of the C-final, will be covered live by the Elit Vetlanda website, www.elitvetlanda.se. Line-ups for the qualifiers on Friday are available on Elit Vetlanda's website. Among the riders on show in the three qualifiers are World Champion Nicki Pedersen for Lejonen, David Ruud for the same team, Henrik Gustafsson guesting for Griparna, Czech GP Wild Card Matej Kus for Vargarna, and several current or former British league riders, such as Patrick Hougaard, Nicolai Klindt and Sebastian Aldén, no mention a few of them... VETLANDA LAGCUP (4TT) - FRIDAY APRIL 17TH: Qualifying round 1, 1300 hrs: Live Updates Qualifying round 2, 1600 hrs: Live updates Qualifying round 3, 1900 hrs: Live Updates VETLANDA LAGCUP (4TT) - SATURDAY APRIL 18TH: C-final, 1000 hrs: B-final, 1300 hrs: Live updates A-final, 1600 hrs: Live updates I will provide links for each live update as they becomes available.

Being team manager of Division 1 team Njudungarna last season, I had the chance to see Anders in action quite a lot, and he had an excellent first season on 500cc, even appearing for Elit Vetlanda in Elitserien in some meetings, besides his Valsarna commitments. He's not your typical junior rider. He doesn't make any irrational moves on the track, he actually thinks speedway like a seasoned veteran. Don't let that fool you, because he does have a temper if things doesn't go his way, but I have yet to see that being displayed on the track. Anders isn't (yet) an out-an-out racer like Antonio Lindbäck, but more of a solid Fredrik Lindgren style rider who positions himself well on the track. I can't wait to see him (any many other riders for that matter) as the Vetlanda 4 Team Tournament is staged this Friday and Saturday. However, if comparing him to Dennis Andersson and Anton Rosén, I would say they are a step ahead of him.

Don't forget about Sweden! Simon Gustafsson, Ludvig Lindgren and Linus Sundström remains from the winning team of 2008. Kim Nilsson (replacing Linus Eklöf) will take that fourth place with a trio (Dennis Andersson, Anton Rosén and Anders Mellgren) of riders fighting to be reserve. That quartet shouldn't be underestimated.

The Swedish online auction site of Blocket does have some speedway bikes for sale, both 80cc and 500cc. Gerhardsson Motor in Kumla is probably the biggest retailer of speedway products in Sweden.

So how did it go then? No problems, I presume.

OTHER MAJOR YOUTH MEETINGS: Saturday April 25th: Västervik: Southern District Championship - Round 1 Thursday May 21st (bank holiday): Järfälla: SEFF Championship Sunday May 24th: Mariestad: Western District Championship Saturday June 6th: Gislaved: Southern District Championship - Round 2 Saturday & Sunday July 4th-5th: Avesta: Otto Rostfria Herman's Cup (4TT) Saturday July 25th: Målilla: Swedish Championship Saturday August 15th (same day as Målilla Grand Prix): Vetlanda: Gunnar Lundberg Cup (unofficial U14 championship) Sunday August 30th: Västervik: Southern District Championship - Round 3 Saturday September 19th: Järfälla: Pairs Championship There are also a lot of open meetings, but they are not listed here. For a complete list of all fixtures in Sweden, go to SVEMO's website. - www.svemo.se - Click on "Tävlingskalender" (fixture list) in the menu - Click on "Visa fullständig kalender (pop-up)" (show full fixture list) - In the "Grenar" scrollbar, choose "Speedway" (Youth Meetings = U)

YOUTH LEAGUE FIXTURES: Track: Home team - Away team I - Away team II Sunday 26 April Motala: Piraterna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Smederna Saturday 2 May Malmö: Gnistorna - Valsarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna Sunday 3 May Vetlanda: Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Valsarna - Smederna Vetlanda: Elit Vetlanda - Solkatterna/Indianerna - Dackarna Västervik: Västervik/Vargarna - Örnarna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna Saturday 9 May: Karlstad: Solkatterna/Indianerna - Västervik/Vargarna - Gnistorna Hallstavik: Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Elit Vetlanda - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna Sunday 10 May: Mariestad: Örnarna - Gnistorna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna Hagfors: Valsarna - Piraterna - Västervik/Vargarna Eskilstuna: Smederna - Dackarna - Elit Vetlanda Saturday 16 May: Målilla: Dackarna - Örnarna - Piraterna Visby: Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Elit Vetlanda - Västervik/Vargarna Avesta: Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna - Valsarna Sunday 17 May: Malmö: Gnistorna - Dackarna - Piraterna Eskilstuna: Smederna - Örnarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna Saturday 23 May: Vetlanda: Elit Vetlanda - Gnistorna - Örnarna Kumla: Solkatterna/Indianerna - Piraterna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna Hagfors: Valsarna - Smederna - Dackarna Sunday 24 May: Mariestad: Örnarna - Dackarna - Valsarna Motala: Piraterna - Gnistorna - Västervik/Vargarna Saturday 30 May: Vetlanda: Elit Vetlanda - Smederna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna Sunday 31 May: Målilla: Dackarna - Västervik/Vargarna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna Sunday 7 June: Motala: Piraterna - Elit Vetlanda - Valsarna Västervik: Västervik/Vargarna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Smederna Mariestad: Örnarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna - Gnistorna Saturday 27 June: Hagfors: Valsarna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Örnarna Eskilstuna: Smederna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Piraterna Västervik: Västervik/Vargarna - Gnistorna - Elit Vetlanda Sunday 28 June: Karlstad: Solkatterna/Indianerna - Smederna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna Målilla: Dackarna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Gnistorna Saturday 18 July: Visby: Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Piraterna Malmö: Gnistorna - Elit Vetlanda - Örnarna Eskilstuna: Smederna - Västervik/Vargarna - Valsarna Sunday 19 July: Kumla: Solkatterna/Indianerna - Valsarna - Dackarna Saturday 8 August: Hallstavik: Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Piraterna - Solkatterna/Indianerna Malmö: Gnistorna - Västervik/Vargarna - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna Målilla: Dackarna - Valsarna - Elit Vetlanda Sunday 9 August: Vetlanda: Elit Vetlanda - Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Västervik/Vargarna Mariestad: Örnarna - Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Smederna Motala: Piraterna - Dackarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna Sunday 16 August: Avesta: Rospiggarna/Gasarna - Smederna - Örnarna Hagfors: Valsarna - Solkatterna/Indianerna - Elit Vetlanda Västervik: Västervik/Vargarna - Piraterna - Dackarna Saturday 22 August: Visby: Elit Vetlanda/Bysarna - Örnarna - Gnistorna (reserved day) Sunday 23 August: (reserved day) Saturday 5 September: (reserved day) Sunday 6 September: (reserved day) Saturday 12 September: Gislaved: Team Championship Semifinal 1 (seeds 1, 4 & 6) Gislaved: Team Championship Semifinal 2 (seeds 2, 3 & 5) Sunday 13 September: Gislaved: Team Championship Final

Yes, that would be nice, just as long as can get my finger out as actually make the trip happen. I'm not sure I fully trust myself to do that.

I plan to make a vacation out of that weekend. Güstrow on 21st (vs Wolfslake), Stralsund on 22nd (Osteepokal) and the U19 Team Final on the 23rd, but it sure would be nice to know where to go. It would make the planning much easier.

Thanks for all the answers! Had a look at Holsted´s website, but I can't find it in their fixture list...

Anyone know what the status of this tournament is in the 2009 season? The first bit of information I had, had the final down at Grindsted (Denmark) on August 23rd. It's still listed on that place/date on the Swedish federation's meeting calender (on SVEMO website), but I can't find anything on either Grindsted's or UEM's websites... Anyone got a clue?

Oh dear, there are many mistakes on those squads. Several riders are listed twice and no partner team is listed for some teams, instead all available riders are listed in one squad only.

Ungdomsserien - 11 teams - 5 per team - Different number of times (most teams meet each other 1-4 times per season)- 3 teams per meeting

Allsvenskan - 7 teams - 8 per team - twice all + po - 2 teams per meeting 1st division - 10 teams - 8 per team - twice all - 2 teams per meeting

Yeah, I read that when searching for information about him. He must have been a real nice guy back in the days... Awful nickname, as you say. Definitely, "clan" is a much better word for it. Thanks!

Visit the excellent Speedway FAQ website for this information. However, I see that list doesn't have any information about Filbyterna... Folke Filbyter was believed to be the ancestor of the Folkunga family*, also mentioned as Bjälbo family, which ruled in Sweden from 1250-1363 by 5 different kings. The city of Linköping has a statue of Folke Filbyter on the "Big Square" in the city centre. (* To all Swedish forum members, is "family" the right word for the Swedish word of "ätt", could anyone confirm this?)

J = Indicates Swedish junior (one must be included among line-up # 1-7) * = Rider from partner team Averages marked with blue colour should be considered doubtful as they are assessed averages for new riders in Elitserien. (Includes riders that haven't ridden 16 heats during a previous season) Please note that all averages mentioned below are unofficial until released on the online results service. All team squads, with definite averages, will be published on www.speedway.nu on March 1st. DACKARNA ( 41.71 / 0.29 ) 1. Fredrik Lindgren 7.84 2. Peter Karlsson 7.84 3. Hans Andersen 8.74 4. Rory Schlein 4.31 5. Andreas Jonsson 8.37 6. Ludvig Lindgren J 2.00 7. Nicolai Klindt 2.61 ( 8. Niklas Larsson J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Kenneth Bjerre 5.75 Grzegorz Zengota 4.52 Claus Vissing 2.39 Personal squad comments: Dackarna have an awesome looking line-up with Kenneth Bjerre as a back-up for the fantastic four, Zengota and Schlein fighting for the remaining top five spot, and a duo at reserve which may look weak on paper (combined average of only 4.61) but IMO they're on false averages which they should be able to improve. Bjerre could also replace one of the top four, thereby placing Schlein at reserve instead of Klindt. ELIT VETLANDA ( 41.65 / 0.35 ) 1. Lee Richardson 7.49 2. Peter Ljung 5.93 3. Jaroslaw Hampel 7.87 4. Thomas H Jonasson J 5.07 5. Jason Crump 9.41 6. Adrian Gomolski 3.03 7. Patrick Hougaard 2.85 ( 8. *Robin Aspegren J 2.06 ) Also in squad: Jurica Pavlic 5.00 Karol Zabik 4.89 *Daniel Davidsson 3.74 *Sebastian Aldén 3.46 Anders Mellgren J 2.00 *Jeremia Thelaus J 2.00 Personal squad comments: With Rune Holta gone, the Elit Vetlanda squad now lacks the luxury of previous years of having a heat leader at the sidelines (previously Jason Crump). The heat leader trio is still solid enough be a force, and the remaining riders gives the squad a youthful look, with plenty of alternatives at second string and reserve for team manager Fredrik Staaf. IKAROS SMEDERNA ( 41.60 / 0.40 ) 1. Magnus Zetterström 6.12 2. Daniel King 5.95 3. Krzysztof Kasprzak 6.56 4. Troy Batchelor 6.96 5. Wieslaw Jagus 8.49 6. Mikael Max 5.15 7. Linus Eklöf J 2.37 ( 8. Robert Henderson J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Robert Miskowiak 4.78 Krzysztof Buczkowski 4.56 Martin Vaculik 4.35 Robin Bergqvist J 2.00 Personal squad comments: The Eskilstuna outfit, now known as Ikaros Smederna thanks to their new main sponsor Ikaros, lost Jonas Davidsson and Rory Schlein in the off season. The additions of local hero Magnus Zetterström (Indianerna), Troy Batchelor (Dackarna) and Mikael Max (Piraterna) gives them a solid look, but one may wonder if that's enough to lift them from the Elitserien basement? INDIANERNA ( 40.86 / 1.14 ) 1. Rune Holta 7.96 2. Grzegorz Walasek 6.76 3. Matej Ferjan 5.89 4. Jesper B Monberg 5.88 5. Piotr Protasiewicz 7.98 6. Simon Gustafsson J 4.39 7. Leon D Madsen 2.00 ( 8. David Rohlén J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Joonas Kylmäkorpi 5.51 Renat Gafurov 5.36 Christian Hefenbrock 4.39 Personal squad comments: With newcomers Rune Holta (Elit Vetlanda) and Grzegorz Walasek (Piraterna), club icon Henrik Gustafsson practically found himself out of a place and left for Rospiggarna. Simon Gustafsson is the best junior among the Indians, but if he doesn't deliver it seems likely that either of the Hammarby newcomers, Joonas Kylmäkorpi or Renat Gafurov, will take his place, with David Rohlén being the junior riders among the top seven. Interesting looking team, for sure. LEJONEN ( 41.80 / 0.20 ) 1. Nicki Pedersen 10.44 2. Tomasz Jedrzejak 5.95 3. David Ruud 5.91 4. Dave Watt 5.75 5. Piotr Swiderski 6.04 6. Sebastian Ulamek 5.71 7. Dennis Andersson J 2.00 ( 8. *Robert Pettersson J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Leigh Adams 10.18 Chris Holder 6.17 Daniel Jeleniewski 3.36 *Ricky Kling 3.15 Personal squad comments: There are many options available to the management duo of Jesper Lindroth and Anders Fröjd, making the Lions least vulnerable to injuries among the Elitserien teams. They could also use a line-up with both Pedersen and Adams in it, complemented by Ruud, Watt and Jeleniewski in the main body, with Kling and Andersson at reserve. That's not a bad line-up either, despite both of the GP stars, Kling would be able to slot in at reserve. Could very well defend the gold medal status. PIRATERNA ( 39.29 / 2.71 ) 1. Jonas Davidsson 6.42 2. Antonio Lindbäck 5.31 3. Robert Kosciecha 6.27 4. Damian Balinski 6.20 5. Rafal Dobrucki 6.71 6. Daniel Nermark 5.10 7. *Linus Sundström J 3.28 ( 8. Tobias Ingesson J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Emil Sajfutdinov 6.04 Rafal Okoniewski 5.38 Chris Neath 5.00 *Magnus Karlsson 2.69 Personal squad comments: Both Indianerna and Piraterna looks set to challenge the Småland region (Dackarna, Elit Vetlanda, Västervik, Lejonen) dominance of recent years. They have made several high caliber acquisitions in Dobrucki, Davidsson, Lindbäck and Sajfutdinov and looks very interesting on paper, despite having nearly three points to spare under the maximum limit. They have strength in depth, but they surely must have the meeting won before heat 16, otherwise it could mean problems as they lack an out-and-out number one. ROSPIGGARNA ( 41.13 / 0.87 ) 1. Greg Hancock 9.55 2. Maciej Janowski 5.00 3. Janusz Kolodziej 6.19 4. Henrik Gustafsson 5.05 5. Ryan Sullivan 6.99 6. Charlie Gjedde 4.74 7. Jonas Messing J 3.61 ( 8. *Andreas Messing J 3.03 ) Also in squad: Chris Slabon 5.06 Lubos Tomicek 4.48 *Freddie Eriksson 3.58 Personal squad comments: The major change during the off season was the addition of Ryan Sullivan who replaced fellow Aussie Adam Shields as one of the heat leaders. Rospiggarna surprisingly made the Play Off last year and should be in contention once again thanks to a mix of experience and youth, lead by skipper Greg Hancock. BTW, Henrik Gustafsson, lifetime Indianerna rider until this season, will make his first meeting as a non-Indian against Indianerna, at his former home track in Kumla. VARGARNA ( 40.23 / 1.77 ) 1. Adam Shields 6.59 2. Joe Screen 4.68 3. Adrian Miedzinski 6.20 4. Edward Kennett 7.29 5. Scott Nicholls 6.99 6. Adam Skornicki 4.41 7. Kim Nilsson J 4.07 ( 8. Jonas Andersson J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Niklas Klingberg 4.61 Tai Woffinden 4.56 *Andreas Lekander 2.25 Personal squad comments: The Wolves, winner of the 2008 Allsvenskan league, have opted for a strength in depth line-up, lead by Scott Nicholls who usually goes well at the Norrköping track. The British style track will be a huge asset to the team who will always be in contention at home. VÄSTERVIK ( 41.94 / 0.09 ) 1. Bjarne Pedersen 7.77 2. Grigorijs Laguta 5.38 3. Niels-Kristian Iversen 6.37 4. Chris Harris 5.59 5. Tomasz Gollob 8.56 6. *Billy Forsberg J 4.96 7. Kevin Doolan 3.31 ( 8. *Anton Rosén J 2.00 ) Also in squad: Tomasz Gapinski 6.17 Przemyslaw Pawlicki 5.00 Artem Laguta 5.00 *Eric Andersson 2.97 Personal squad comments: The east coast team missed the Play Off last year, being plagued by injuries for most of the season. The line-up looks the same as in previous years, which should prove capable of some success even in 2009. The lower order riders Tomasz Chrzanowski, James Wright and Mads Korneliussen have been replaced by Tomasz Gapinski, Kevin Doolan and youngsters Przemyslaw Pawlicki and Artem Laguta. Not mentioned among the favourites for 2009, but don't let the difficult 2008 season fool you!

I'm a happy man today, must admit. Guess I'll take a Karlovacko (Croatian beer) to celebrate his signing....well, on Saturday at least.

Dennis Andersson 91/06/03 Pontus Aspgren 91/03/15 Tobias Ingesson 90/07/27 Christian Ingesson 87/02/15 Kim Ingmarsson 88/06/27 Mikael Ingvarsson Claes Ivarsson 68/04/04 Haven't heard of a rider called Mikael Ingvarsson. In Vetlanda, there were a Mikael Edvardsson some years ago, could it be him? Have no idea of place of birth for these riders. I could list the home town for the first team in which they rode in, but that ain't 100% to be the place of birth. Could also list current place of residence, but that ain't what you're looking for either...

Kind of, and I actually think philfromcov has hit the nail on the head in the quote below. Behind those top 7, there are only "fillers" with very little between riders 8 and (say) 20-25 in the world. Most of those riders in that category won't do much overall in the Grand Prix over an entire season, but are fully capable to cause an upset now and then. Many riders are just as good as Harris, Ulamek and/or Walasek, take Lee Richardson, Jonas Davidsson, Bjarne Pedersen, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Matej Zagar, Chris Holder and (particulary) Jaroslaw Hampel to name a few.

Can't say I'm particulary excited about Ulamek and Walasek either, but at least they have qualified on merit, like it or not.

That was the case up to, and including, the 2007 season. From 2008, a club can have 2 teams within the organization, but the second team can't advance from the Division 1 league to Allsvenskan. AFAIK, in Division 1, Team Dalakraft, Team Bikab, Filbyterna, Vikingarna, Gnistorna and Eldarna operated as a stand-alone clubs, while Njudungarna (Elit Vetlanda), Crossbone Pirates (Piraterna) and Team CanVac (Örnarna) were 2nd teams within an existing organizaton. I don't know if Stjärnorna were a registred team within the MK Orion (Rospiggarna) or SMK Gävle club. They (Dackarna) can't have "stolen" contracted riders. Either Smederna must have chosen to let them go, or Smederna have had some money for it, a contracted rider will always cost money for a team to acquire. Must be the team that holds a rider's contract that issue the conditions for a transfer. Regarding Schlein, it seems that Troy Batchelor is going the other way in the Rory Schlein transfer, so I guess a swap deal has been reach. Blaming Dackarna in this case seems unfair. (Can't believe I'm defending Dackarna )

Now it's official. Elit Vetlanda and Valsarna will be partners again for next season... ...and Rafal Okoniewski has extended his contract with Piraterna, according to local newspaper Östgöta Correspondenten.