Let the Battle Commence

Several big games are coming up before the end of the normal season this coming Sunday, and it all kicks off tonight with a couple of interesting matches. At the top end of the table we see Almtuna hosting Växjö - a game that will most likely play a major factor in the outcome for which team will have to go through play offs to Kvalserien. Växjö supportrs have in fact arranged buses for the game. That they could only fill up a couple of mini-buses is pathetic, not surprising seeing that they are said to be more tight-arsed than the Scots, but at least it is a start.

 

Once again, there will be more players than fans representing the Lakers

AIK take on Mora in the other game concerning the three fighting for two automatic qualification spots. AIK has a good record against Mora at home over the last couple of seasons and will be hoping to take all three points. With Mora severely out of form at the moment, this looks likely, but the players will have to be more focused than they were in the loss against lowly Sundsvall last game. Even more interestingly we have an internal AIK battle to look out for as well. The AIK football team is playing a pre season friendly against Syrianska FC at the same time as the ice hockey is happening. Which team will draw in more people? Sadly enough, I suspect a non-competitive game of football is higher rated than an important hockey game in the Swedish capital. Philestines!

What's Mora after all???

Mora is, apparently a child with many faces. If you say 'Mora' around the world, it can mean many different things.

We find that it is often a town. There are a few, one in Spain, one in Portugal and one in Cameroon. Mora Canton is in Costa Rica, in India we find a Mora outside Mumbai and a Mora Industrial Estate, an industrial area in the Prem Nagar Export Zone. In Paraguay we have Fernando de la Mora which is the only fully fledged city as far as I can tell. Back in Spain we find a Mora de Rubielos.

In New Mexico, we have a Mora, a Mora County as well as Mora River. And in Minnesota we have a Mora, with Dala Horse and all.

Also lots of prominent people were called Mora. F. Luis Mora was an artist and illustrator, Ferenc Mora an Hungarian writer Georges was some entrepreneur from Germany. Father/son set up of Jim E and Jim L were head coaches around different NFL teams while plain Jim Mora was a broadcaster in New Zeeland. Jo Mora was an artist in Uruguay, Melvin played baseball in Venezuela and Mirka was another artist.

In Spain, we find José Francisco Mora Altava, known as Pepe Mora playing football (proper football, not American thingee). In America's Next Top Model, we notice that Naima Mora won the fourth series while old Nestor was a Colombian cyclist. Philippe made films, Sergio was boxing and Tiriel was mainly acting. There were two famous Victor Mora's - one was a comic book autor, while the other was a Colombian long distance runner.

Could you be more specific please?

Then we must not forget the fish Mora. In aviation MORA means Minimum Off Route Altitude and in Costa Rica it is a type of blackberry juice drink. There are also several units of Mora; it could either be a unit of sound used in phonology or a unit of about 600 soldiers in the Spartan Army. In Mora you can also buy Music online from Sony. In Polish mythology, we find Mora are the souls of living people that leave the body during the night. A little bit freaky, but hey... Why not!

We also have the plant Mora in the Fabaceae family. The flagship of William the Conqueror's fleet was also named Mora, and a villain in Power Rangers is also named Mora.

In Sweden you will find Mora stenar where ancient kings were elected. you'll also find Mora municipality, the home of the Mora knife and the Mora clock as well as the home of Mora IK ice hockey club.

Later tonight we will however find out what it really means and what it is made of.

Has Mora got the nerve?

It is one again time for the battle of Siljan. Mora is visiting Leksand, not only casing a automatic qualification spot  for Kvalserien, but also to win this prestigious derby. After being the in-form team, with only two losses in 15 games, Harald Lückner's men have recently started stuttering. Two defeats on the trot has put them three points behind the all important third place.

A win at Ejendals Arena would certainly get them back on track again.

The stats are however against the guests; in the last ten visits, there has only been three wins recorded. Although the last outing in Leksand, earlier this season, ended in a resounding 6-2 win for the team from the northern shores. And when it comes to these derbies, you might as well just chuck your stat books out the window and enjoy the game. A fierce competition is not only expected, but a given when these two teams meet.

 'Pardon me Sir. I am terribly sorry for bumping in to you like that.'

The first game Leksand ever played as a club was actually against Mora. MIK had a successful team and agreed to play against this newly formed Leksand outfit. After three periods, the result was 8-0 to LIF and the Mora players, not wanting to be embarrassed by these newcomers, asked if they could play a fourth period so they could reduce the defeat. This was agreed to and the game continued. At 11-0, the game was finally abandoned.

The rivalry has continued during they years and a sell out crowd is expected in Leksand for tomorrow's game.

Round Up: Mora on fire!

Mora IK took thir ninth (!) consecutive win when they ripped apart Malmö on away ice. The final result was 4-1 to the guests. Mora is now in the final automatic qualification spot for Kvalserien. Harald Lückner has done a brilliant job with this young team and has surprised most experts with their performance of late. Malmö on the other hand has shown very patchy form lately and needs to improve if they are to avoid having to go through the play offs for a place in Kvalserien. It might help that they are finally getting rid of goal tender Jani Hurme who has not only been one of the most expensive players in the league, but also a complete liability once he has been on the ice. A reported salary of around SEK 310.000/month is now taken away from the expenses account at Redhawks. I'd happily open a door for a few days per month for 3x20 minutes for less than that. Percy, call me!

Good bye and thank you for the fish!

In the mid-season final, injury hit Leksand beat Växjö comprehensively with 8-3. This will give LIF a little bit of breathing space at the summit. Off the ice rumours are rife the club is about to sign a forward (center?) of some some statue. As always with Leksand in the rumour mill, more or less realistic names are branded around. Suffice to say, one the day arrives, we shall all find out.

In the fight for the play off spots, Bofors secured in important result by grabbing the extra point following a penalty shoot out at Borås. Borås  now has six points up to play off place and Bofors are now pleased not to have to feel them breathing down their neck.

At the other end of the table, Sunsvall lost important points after ending up on the wrong side of a 6-3 score at Björklöven and Oskarshamn looks on the money for relegation after losing at home against demotion rivals Troja/Ljungby 3-0.

There is still much to go of the season, but the table seems to divide up in clear sections. However, any team getting on a streak like Mora is currently would quickly move up the table. One thing is for sure, the league is tighter than it has ever been and teams keep dropping and taking points from each other like never before. Is this a sign of the strength of the league, or is it because the top teams are weaker than in recent years? I guess we will find out in Kvalserien.