Preview of Swedish Women’s Basketball Playoff Game

LULEA, Sweden (Interstat) — The dominant Lulea squad, boasting a staggering 27-3 record across all competitions this season, opens its playoff campaign at home Tuesday against a Sodertalje team it handled comfortably during the regular season.

Game 1 of the Swedish women’s professional basketball playoff series tips off Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Lulea’s home court. The hosts enter as heavy favorites, having won both regular-season matchups by an average margin of 22 points: 92-58 on Jan. 9 and 87-77 on Feb. 18.

Lulea’s strength is its consistency, led by forward Fanny Wadling. In her last six games, Wadling has averaged 11.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and nearly a block per contest, showcasing her all-around versatility. She is coming off a 13-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist performance in a 98-68 rout of Ostersund on April 15.

Sodertalje (19-11) arrives with momentum from a tight 78-76 road victory over Norrkoping on April 16, secured in their final regular-season game. Their hopes rest significantly on guard Laura Zolper, who erupted for 28 points in that clinching win. Over her last six games, Zolper has averaged 21.0 points, including a 36-point outburst on March 28.

The visitors will need similar heroics from Zolper and strong support from center Amanda Zahui (18 points, 6 rebounds vs. Norrkoping) to challenge a Lulea machine that has lost only three times all season. Sodertalje’s recent form is solid, having won five of its last six, but Lulea presents a tier of opposition they have yet to solve.

The series is a best-of-three format. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday, April 24, in Sodertalje, with a decisive Game 3, if necessary, back in Lulea on Sunday, April 26.