Preview

This is 3rd game from play off finals in this league when surprisingly
Lulea is leading 2-0 after first two games. This are two best women
teams in Sweden which always met in finals in past 3-4 seasons, but I
say surprisingly because teams met 7 times this season and before play
off finals Udominate won all 5 matches against Lulea. They won them 3
times in regular season but also twice in Eurocup where teams were drawn
in same group. Udominate were so dominating all teams in Sweden that won
all 27 matches from regular season run which continue also in play offs
after winning 2-0 Visby and later having 2-0 lead against Telge so run
went to 31 wins in a row. But than happened their first loss at home
which was not big thing since team immediately respond with big away win
in next game for final 3-1 score and place in finals where Lulea was
waiting them since did the job earlier with 2-0 against Norrkoping and
3-0 against Alvik. Lulea didn’t had impressive regular season like
Udominate since had 5 defeats, but finish of season was with big winning
run of 10 games and this run continue in play offs and is currently on
17 aftre winning twice over Udominate. I think this big run will end
today since it is do or die game for Udominate if they want to survive
in this finals. Winner is who takes first 3 wins and Udominate will
definitely not allow opponent to celebrate in their home court. This
team has very strong squad, which tormented all teams in Swedish league
winning all games in double digits even against Lulea with lowest
difference being 13 in away game against Lulea while their average
winning was 29 difference in 27 games. All 5 wins against Lulea happened
before February 2017 and interesting is that after this team become
even more stronger since3 new players appear in the squad Mershon,
Nordstrom and Vesterberg which were not playing before. They are not
reported as new signings so could be players that recover from injuries
but I see they are playing big minutes and contribute much beside team
was already to strong for all others. Well all of this quality in
Udominate squad looks to enter sleeping in finals feeling like they are
already champions, which was little expecte after winning Lulea 5 times
already this season and needing just 3 more from 5 meetings and they
paid the price being already 0-2 down. In first match Lulea enter
totally focused unlike hosts and buld big double digit lead from the
start which Udominate tried to catch by shooting 3 pointers which didn’t
go in and with just 2-24 stats from this range it was inevitable big
defeat and just 41 scored points when team never score below 70 before.
In second game was bigger fight but it was tough to still away win
against opponent that was sky flying and this time free throws were
crucial since Udominate made too many fouls 35 against just 15 from
Lulea so hosts had 44 free throws against just 18 for Udominate.
Probably it was tactical since Lulea shot free throws very bad
converting just 23 which is barely over 50% but still it was 8 more than
15 free throws scored by Udominate and exactly 8 was difference at the
end. But this approach had additional negative impact on guests since 3
players were fouled out and ruined their game. All of this must be left
behind since now things are very serious and there is no place for
another failure. Coach and players learned their mistakes and will enter
fully motivated and focused in today game which must be won. Lulea is
the same team, without single change in the squad, that Udominate won 5
times already and are very capable to do it 6th time in front of home
fans in very important game. Third loss in a row from same opponent will
be too much, and also third home loss in arrow is unacceptable. I
expectfinally Udominate to show their real game and confirm first two
meetings were just bad days which are behind them and will not repeat.
Pressure will be big on them but pressure is often good to show your
best game. Udominate is more quality team this season and will not be
sweeped in this finals. I simply can’t believe this team to lose 4 from
last 5 games after winning 31 in a row before that. Quality should
prevail today and we have also home field advantage, revenge and bigger
need to win all factors on Udominate side.