Team Belgium, the Belgiam Barbarians, scored early and late to defeat the Dutch Lions 14-7 and win their first ever game against Team Holland.
In a game that saw defenses rule for most of the night, Belgium scored in the last three minutes after Holland had led most of the game, and held on for the historic victory.
Belgian running back Arkadi Meerschout found a seam and scampered 20 yards for the game’s first score with less than three minutes gone. Holland responded later in the first half to pull into the lead, 7-6.
Team Holland RB Sean Richard Photo: Bob de Calonne
And it looked like that was how the game would end, with both defenses playing lights out football.
However, veteran Belgian quarterback Tomasz Firszt, who has been behind center for the national team for the past four years, connected with Belgian international wide receiver Ruben De Ruyter on a 12 yard touchdown pass with two and a half minutes remaining in the game to give Belgium a 12-7 lead. Thomas Bouron ran in the two-point conversion to increase the lead to 14-7.
Photo: Bob de Calonne
The Belgian defense then did the rest, finishing the game by sacking Dutch quarterback Tom van Dujin on the final play.
This was Belgium’s first ever win over the Dutch national team.