The Netherlands will play host to Belgium Saturday, November 23 in the final international game of the season in Izegem, Belgium.
The Dutch national team, aka the Dutch Lions, have been resurrected this year playing their first games since 2019 when they lost to Team Denmark 22-19 in an IFAF European Championship qualifier.
In the recent 2024/2025 IFAF Men’s European Championship qualifiers, the Netherlands lost two heartbreakers, first dropping a last minute decision to Team Ireland, 18-13 and then losing to Turkey 3-0 in a downpour.
Nevertheless, Dutch Lions head coach Fred Armstrong is looking long term and according to him, the mission is bringing the players together again:
“ I am very happy with seeing over 100 players to be part of their National team in the Netherlands. The goal is for us to find our top 75 from these three games and our continued recruiting in 2025.
“Off the field our staff has been awesome, but we will get better at that from the games we have experienced this fall. The Dutch Lions are Back”
Photo: n3msproductions
For Belgium, this is the first game on the international stage for the men’s senior team since 2020 when the lost to Team Hungary, 31-7.
The Belgian Barbarians held tryouts earlier this fall and announced their roster for this game.
The Netherlands @ Belgium, Nov. 23, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 9 am ET)
