AIK Basket produced a statement performance on Sunday, defeating Djurgarden 93-62 in the Superettan. The away side controlled proceedings from start to finish, building a lead that never seriously wavered. Djurgarden, sitting third in the table, failed to match their opponents' intensity throughout the contest.
We had backed the home side for victory with 57 per cent confidence, but the match simply did not go that way. AIK Basket were dominant in the air from set plays and kept their side in it with consistent defence. Djurgarden looked disjointed, unable to find rhythm against a well-organised opponent.
The result leaves Djurgarden still third after 26 games with 17 wins and 9 defeats. AIK Basket remain ninth with 13 wins and 13 losses, though this performance suggests they are capable of pushing higher. Both sides have played the same number of matches, so the gap in the table could narrow.
Djurgarden's recent form has been uneven. They lost 86-94 to Huddinge in May but had won three of their previous four matches, including comfortable victories over IK Eos Lund and Oxelbo. AIK Basket's last five games show a similar pattern - wins against Sollentuna and Trelleborg, but also heavy defeats.
The visitors have not lost since their April 11 match against Trelleborg, where they were beaten 91-106. That defeat was followed by an away win at Sollentuna and a comfortable home victory over Trelleborg. Their defence has tightened considerably in recent weeks.
This result means Djurgarden will make life awkward for themselves if they want to consolidate their position. AIK Basket, meanwhile, proved they can compete with the league's better sides. The 31-point margin speaks for itself.
