AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - July 6, 2025 - Under persistent rain and mounting pressure, the Amsterdam Crusaders relied on their experience, dominance in the ground game and relentless defense to beat the ambitious Groningen Giants 39-18 in Tulip Bowl XXXIX at Sportpark Sloten. For Amsterdam, it marked their 22nd national title and their 30th participation in the Tulip Bowl. For Groningen, despite the loss, it was a historic first participation in the finals-a performance marked by bold execution, physical strength and a team that will not soon be forgotten.
Early Outing of the Underdogs
Although considered heavy underdogs on paper, the Giants started strong. A short, awkward kickoff by Amsterdam ended in a fumble and gave Groningen excellent field position. Quarterback Martin Garriga led the Giants into the end zone on five plays and completed the drive with a touchdown pass to Carl Wolkahof along the back line, giving Groningen an early 6-0 lead. The extra point was missed, but the tone was set-the Giants had not come to just participate.
Amsterdam started their first drive promisingly, thanks mainly to a spectacular breakthrough by Cean Sanches that took them to Groningen's 2-yard line. But mistakes in the red zone, penalty yards and solid goal-line defense forced them into a field goal from 29 yards-that went wide.
Rain, Flags and Missed Opportunities
Both teams traded punts and penalties as the skies broke open and rain soaked the field. Repeated holding penalties hampered the Crusaders, despite L'Anthony Reasnover quietly beginning to find his rhythm in the run game. On the other hand, Tim de Haan kept the Giants' offense running with powerful runs, and early in the second quarter he broke loose for a brilliant touchdown from 60 yards, making it 12-3.
Amsterdam responded with a controlled drive, initiated by a long rush by Reasnover. But a deflected pass was intercepted at the goal line, giving Groningen a chance to run out. However, the Giants immediately returned possession of the ball by throwing an interception of their own on the next attack. This time Reasnover didn't miss any opportunities: he broke right through the line for a touchdown and brought the Crusaders back to within two points: 12-10.
As the rain intensified, mistakes began to pile up. A misjudged back pass from Amsterdam just before halftime was picked up by Evan Yang at the Crusaders' 9-yard line. But the Giants couldn't capitalize-three unsuccessful passes in a row sent them into the locker room with a narrow two-point lead.
Momentum turning point: Third Quarter for Amsterdam
The second half began in a minor way for Groningen. Pinned to their own 5-yard line, a series of penalties pushed them further back to just in front of their own end zone. When Garriga lost the ball under pressure, it rolled into the end zone. Although the Crusaders failed to recover the ball for a touchdown, it did produce a safety, tying the score: 12-12.
From that point on, Amsterdam took control decisively. Reasnover returned the ensuing squib kick and immediately picked up where he left off, running through holes in the defense for hefty yardage. A facemask penalty brought the ball up to Groningen's 9-yard line, then Sanches completed the drive with a short touchdown run. Despite a failed snap at the extra point, holder Mikhail Bruev kept his cool, laid the ball well and the kick went in. Amsterdam thus took its first lead of the game: 19-12.
On the Crusaders' next possession of the ball, it was again Reasnover who struck-this time with a 27-yard touchdown run. Groningen's offense began to stall, swamped by a fierce defense led by linebacker Travis Fraser, who scored multiple tackles for loss and even brought down the Giants' punter deep in their own half. Shortly thereafter, Thomas van den Oort-ironically a former Giant-scored another touchdown run, bringing the score to 32-12.
Peek admitted that the momentum tilted completely.
Late Attempt, but Amsterdam Finishes It
All credit to Groningen, which kept fighting until the end. Garriga led a late drive that put the Giants back in the red zone, and the Spanish quarterback rounded it off himself with a bootleg touchdown, making it 32-18. But time was inexorably ticking away.
A long kickoff return and several costly penalties disrupted Amsterdam's next possession, giving the Giants one more ultimate chance to come back. But a failed fourth-down conversion around midfield gave the ball back to the Crusaders. Those played handy time off the clock with solid runs by Reasnover and Sanches, until Reasnover added his third touchdown of the afternoon with an eight-yard run. That made it 39-18 and basically decided the game.
As a fitting finale, Groningen's final offensive snap ended in a fumble, recovered by the Crusaders.
End Signal with Lasting Impact
For the Crusaders, it was another title in an already rich history. But for coach Alfarez, it was about more than just a trophy.
The Giants, despite the defeat, left the field with their heads held high. Their first-ever participation in the Tulip Bowl proved that they belong at the top of Dutch American football. Under coach Peek's leadership, their future looks promising.
Final score: Amsterdam Crusaders 39 - Groningen Giants 18
Source: AFI
