The Amsterdam Crusaders continue their march to the Dutch championship – Tulip Bowl XXXII – with a resounding victory over the Hilversum Hurricanes. This will be the Crusaders 26th appearance in the title game in Holland which they have won 17 times. Meanwhile the 010 Trojans from Rotterdam have qualified for the first time in their history by edging the Alphen Eagles in the last minute of the game.
010 Trojans 17 – Alphen Eagles 14
The Trojans broke a 14-14 tie with a 32 yard field goal with zero seconds left on the clock to lift them to victory over the Eagles who had appeared in the last five Tulip Bowls winning three of them.
Alphen kicker Errol Zeefuik missed a field goal attempt with 15 seconds left in the game and Trojans quarterback Anthony Slootmaeker threw a desperation hail mary completing it at the 38 yard line. A pass interference call on Alphen took the ball to the 23 yard line and the Trojan kicker made no mistake with no time left.
The Trojans had finished second in the Dutch A conference with a 6-2 record and have been steadily improving throughout the season so this outcome should not come as a surprise.
Watch the highlights here.
Amsterdam Crusaders 49 – Hilversum Hurricanes 21
Photo: Sander Evenwel
The heavily favored Amsterdam Crusaders broke open a tight game at half time with 21 unanswered second half points to put away a stubborn Hilversum team 49-21.
The Crusaders had totally dominated the Dtuch league this year and were expected to walk over the Hurricanes in this game after embarrassing them six weeks ago.
But the Hurricanes surprised Amsterdam bottling up Crusdaers quarterback Allan Bridgford and then scoring the first touchdown of the game on a Maurice Tielen to Christiaan van der Meer touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. In fact, Hilversum kept pace with the Crusaders throughout the first half matching them touchdown for touchdown until Bridgford connected with receiver Ashneal Werleman for a 99 yard score giving Amsterdam a narrow 28-21 lead at the half.
Halftime adjustments are key in football and Amsterdam adjusted well, solving the Hurricanes offense and pulling away for the 49-21 win. For the Crusaders this was important after losing the EFL title to the Frankfurt Universe less than two weeks ago.
Tulip Bowl XXXII takes place July 2.