The big freeze has been and gone. All that maths is finally over, and the invitations to the 2026 WFTDA European Championships in Namur have been sent. Between now and the first whistle on 12 June, we are going to be shining a spotlight on the incredible Euro Derby Dozen who will be descending on Belgium. In absolutely no particular order, this series will break down the strategies, the identities, and the unsung heroes of Europe’s elite, hearing from the skaters themselves.
If you are looking for a team bringing an awesome blend of veteran experience, explosive new talent, and pure, unapologetic audacity, look no further than Sweden’s capital. Stockholm Roller Derby Allstars are heading to Namur with a bold vision and a bit of a score to settle. They might reside in the political and cultural capital of the country, but they are acutely aware that the Roller Derby capital of Sweden currently lies down south.
Now, they are rolling into Belgium ready to prove that their deep junior pipeline and hardened mental strength can force that shift of power.
Here is the essential intel on the heavyweights from the capital:
Home City: Stockholm, Sweden
Euro Seed: #11
Sanctioned Form: L – W – L – W – L
Team Colours: Blue, Yellow and White
Vibe: “We are relentless, strong and flexible. We are winners.”
Instagram: @strd08
Strategy: Precision Under Pressure
To overthrow the established elite, you can’t let the pressure of the moment crack your foundation. Stockholm’s road to Namur hasn’t been without its trials, and rather than ignoring those recent challenges, they are using them as direct fuel to develop a tougher mindset.
“Following some tight losses both in Helsinki and at Swedish Championships we have identified that we need to work on our mental game,” they candidly revealed. “We are doing some reflection on how we need to prepare for games so that we can better maintain focus and perform when it really matters.”
Coupled with this mental recalibration, they are stripping their gameplay back to its most lethal fundamentals. Spring training has been an exercise in efficient simplicity.
“This spring we have worked a lot on refining the basics, like effectively catching the Jammer, playing offence and the switch between offensive and defensive play,” the team shared.
Executing the basics flawlessly under immense mental pressure sets up a team that refuses to break when it’s time to crash the track.
Identity: Forever Young
When Stockholm takes the track, their identity is deeply tied to a team vision that reads like a warning label for their opponents.
“Our team vision is to be relentless, strong and flexible,” the team explained. “To us this means constantly putting in the work on track, and playing our game while being adaptable to different situations.”
But the real danger lies in who is executing that vision. Stockholm boasts a unique demographic advantage that makes them incredibly difficult to plan against.
“Our roster also has an exciting mix of experienced veteran players and recently aged up juniors,” they noted. “We believe the combination of youth and experience makes us a threat both immediately and in the long term.”
Unsung Heroes: Raised on Wheels
If you want proof of how impactful that youth movement is, look no further than Stockholm’s grassroots infrastructure. The league has cultivated a junior program for around 10 years, meaning they have officially reached a point where “a steady stream of talented players who have grown up on skates are aging up and growing into our Allstars team.”
When asked who the community needs to watch out for, they immediately pointed to the vanguard of this new generation.
“One of these skaters is #14 Myran, who played her first WFTDA games less than a year ago and since then her agility and strength has made her a key part of our blocking rotation,” they revealed.
Do not let the rookie WFTDA status fool you – when a skater has grown up on wheels, their track awareness and natural agility become a nightmare for opponents to deal with.
Settling the Score: Postseason History
If you want to understand the chip on Stockholm’s shoulder, you have to look at their track record. Their history at WFTDA’s highest levels proves they have always been a threat, but they keep hitting that ceiling.
Early Years & D1 Debuts (2012–2016):
Stockholm quickly established themselves as a European force, taking 3rd at the continent’s first WFTDA tournament in 2012. They made their global Division 1 Playoff debuts in Dallas (2015) and Vancouver (2016), battling the world’s best to secure solid 7th-place finishes at both events.
2017 Division 1 Playoffs (Malmö):
Competing on Swedish soil, they opened with a decisive victory over Terminal City before falling to Denver in the quarterfinals. They ended the weekend strong, securing a consolation victory over Kallio Rolling Rainbow.
2018-2019 Playoff Purgatory:
The late 2010s saw Stockholm face tough brackets in A Coruña and Seattle, where they fought hard but were ultimately dispatched by formidable opponents like Arizona and Queen City.
2024 Europe Regional Championship (Malmö):
Entering the first post-pandemic Regional Championship as the #10 seed – Stockholm kicked things off with a massive upset over Helsinki. But in the second round, they met their southern rivals: Crime City. A loss to the eventual champions sent them to the consolation bracket, where they suffered an agonisingly close one-point loss (150-149) to Antwerp.
2026 Euro Champs (Namur): Now, the Capital crew is ready to break through. Returning to the postseason stage with the explicit goal of avenging that 2024 loss to Malmö and proving the capital belongs at the very top.
Namur Forecast: Party Poopers in Chief
Stockholm is rolling into Belgium looking for blood and some healthy Nordic solidarity… to a point.
“We are excited for Regionals and are hoping for some exciting games and perhaps some unexpected upsets,” they said, noting they are “especially looking forward to supporting our Nordic neighbours from Helsinki.”
However, they also have their sights locked on that intra-country rivalry. Stockholm might be the capital of Sweden, but they know the highest-ranked powerhouse sits in Malmö. And they are looking to take the crown back.
“If the bracket looked different we might have also supported Crime City but we are now hoping to bust some brackets by knocking them out of a qualification spot to Malmö Champs,” they admitted.
Let that sink in: Malmö (Crime City) is literally hosting the 2026 WFTDA Global Championships later this year. Stockholm is heading to Namur with the explicit, audacious goal of denying their southern rivals a ticket to their own hometown tournament.
You have to respect a team that boldly calls their shot to overthrow the top, crash the homecoming party, and reclaim the glory for the capital!
Think you can predict the chaos?
Will the odds be ever in the favour of the Capital? Put your theory to the test, the Official EDN x WFTDA Prediction Hub is officially open for business! We’ve partnered with WFTDA & Challonge to bring you an ad-free platform to test your derby knowledge against the rest of the community.
Because we love the chaos, we’ve opened the entire post-season slate at once. You can lock in your picks for every bracket right now, but don’t wait too long – brackets lock automatically the moment the first jam of Game 1 starts. First crown has already been claimed. Can you win one?
Will you bet on the Capital, or will you back the districts to rise up?
