The Dutch national team, the Dutch Lions play hosts Saturday, October 12 when they welcome Team Finland, European bronze medalists in 2018, to Arnhem in opening round action of the IFAF 2020 European Championship Qualifying tournament.
Team Holland enters the game with a new head coach, Winston Ronde, and coaching staff, who have only had a couple of weeks to assemble a squad in time for this game. Last year, the Dutch played two games, dropping a 14-7 decision to Belgium, marking their first ever loss to the Belgians.
The Finnish roster is made up heavily with players from the Maple Bowl winning Helsinki Roosters including quarterback Mira Kadmiry. Kadmiry was a key to Finland bronze medal last year and was the second leading passer in the league, throwing for 3,213 yards and a record 51 touchdowns.
The Dutch roster includes running back Sean Richard who just finished the season with German Football League quarterfinalists, the Hiidesheim Invaders. Richard led the team in rushing with 583 yards. Ronde has tabbed Tom van Duijin as his starting quarterback. Van Duijin just completed his fifth season with the Braunschweig New Yorker Lions. Arnhem middle linebacker Leonard Harris will anchor the defense.
Next week, the Dutch travel to Denmark to face the Danish national team while Finland takes on the Danes October 26.