The second quarterfinals matches took place tonight and whereas on Tuesday the home team took advantage, tonight it would be different.
Lejonen v Smederna, 48-42 (77-103)
Lejonen had beaten Eskilstuna twice in the regular season by the same score, 48-42 - coincidentally the same winning margin as in tonight’s quarterfinals.
And this was a good performance by the home side with British rider, Robert Lambert, continuing in great form since coming back from long term injury. He lead the home team with 12+1.
But the damage was done in the match on Tuesday where Smederna won 55:35.
20 points was simply too much to overcome and Polish rider, Adrian Miedzinski (in photo) led the visitors and current champions with 9+1 in a controlled team performance that saw all but one of their riders score five points or more.
They will face Bartosz Zmarzlik’s Vetlanda next Tuesday.
Västervik v Kumla Indianerna 51-39 (91-89)
Like Smederna, Kumla took a home victory on Tuesday, 50:40, which put them in the driving seat before the return match in Västervik tonight.
And the home team were still without their top rider, Nicki Pedersen, and their best rider on Tuesday, Jack Holder could not make it due to commitments in England so the visiting Indianerna seemed to have the advantage.
But whilst they were leading after Heat 4, it was downhill from there as they let a two point advantage become a 10 point deficit by Heat 13.
And in the next heat Västervik’s Danish rider, Peter Kildemand and Pedersen’s replacemen, Rune Holta took a 5:1 victory for the east coast team which would ultimately seal their semifinal place as they ran out winners by just two points.
Västervik will face table toppers, Dackarna in the semifinals on Tuesday and Pedersen is not expected to join them there either.
