Södertälje faced a tough defeat in the opening match of the finals, falling decisively to Luleå with a score of 57–95. The game took a darker turn in the closing moments when star player Amanda Zahui suffered a serious injury, leaving the court with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Zahui hobbled off, visibly in distress, and was subsequently transported to the hospital, as confirmed by Södertälje’s sports director in an interview with SVT Sport.
### “She’s in the emergency room now”
“The concern is a possible Achilles injury. We’ll have more information in the morning,” sports director Degernäs stated via text message to SVT Sport. He added, “She’s in the emergency room and in quite a bit of pain, so we’ll need to give her some time.”
Zahui’s return to Swedish basketball this season marks a significant moment, as she has spent the past 14 years honing her skills abroad. Regarded as one of Sweden’s finest basketball players, she boasts an impressive career, including nine seasons in the WNBA.
The next final match between Luleå and Södertälje is set to take place on Friday in Södertälje, with the series contested in a best-of-five format.
