This Sunday, a classic Dutch American football story unfolds on Sportpark Sloten in Amsterdam, where the perennial powerhouse Amsterdam Crusaders take on The Groningen Giants, making it to the finals for the first time, in the Tulip Bowl XXXIX - the championship game of the AFBN Eredivisie.

It is in every way a David versus Goliath-clash. The Crusaders, who last year lost their 40th anniversary celebrated, playing in their record 29th Tulip Bowl and aim for their 21st national title, while the Giants travel to Amsterdam for their very first championship match, crowning a remarkable reconstruction story, just a few years after the post-pandemic rebuilding and while they have been making their Celebrating 25-year anniversary.

Yet despite the difference in palmares, you may don't expect a walk-over. Groningen forced Amsterdam to the limit twice in thrilling matches during the regular season, with defeats of 22-6 and 24-13. With a tough, versatile team and growing self-confidence are the Giants ready to test Crusaders in earnest in what may well be one of the most competitive Tulip Bowls in recent years could become.

Groningen Giants: A Cinderella run to the finals

The Giants come to Amsterdam with momentum and a growing belief in their identity as real team. Under the leadership of head coach Sam Peek, a former California player born in Berlin and now living in the Netherlands, is Groningen grown into a model for grassroots, student-driven football. Almost the half of the Giants' roster comes from the university community in Groningen - a unique feature that both their diversity as their focus on development reflects.

The team has come a long way since the lean days of COVID. Now boasting a roster of over 50 players and a vibrant practice squad, the Giants have shown they can compete with the best. They earned their Tulip Bowl berth by defeating Lightning Leiden 28-14 in the playoff semifinals, playing physical, inspired football.  

Leading the offense is Spanish quarterback Martin Garriga, a confident leader with solid fundamentals and a knack for managing tempo. His primary weapons include Gijs "Ricky" Wilke, a dual-threat athlete with experience playing college football in Mexico for Aztecas UDLAP and plays both running back and linebacker, and a rotating group of tight ends and receivers that allow Groningen to shift formations and keep defenses guessing. Coach Peek would put his TE room of Paul Ben, Joel van Gelder, Aaron Holzapfel and Kick Jagt up against any Europe 

On defense, the Giants bring hustle and discipline. Their defensive alignment often morphs from base 4-2-5 to other sets that rely on sound tackling and pursuit. Sunday's challenge will be to contain Amsterdam's power run game without conceding big plays in the secondary. 

Crusaders hunt for new title

For the Amsterdam Crusaders winning is not just a tradition - it is a expectation. The red-and-black machine has dominated Dutch football for decades and returns to the Tulip Bowl hungry for new title after a smooth regular competition.

Head coach Vito Alfarez, now in his second season as head coach, has his team ably guided through a season full of injuries. After losing starting quarterback Jasper Nijland, who dropped out early in the season with a shoulder luxation, the Cru switched to Mikhail Bruev, which is grown in his role and is now in charge of a balanced, physically strong attack.

That running game is carried by a dreaded foursome of running backs: Berto Stuit, L'Anthony Reasnover, Urakaj Achthoven and Cean Sanches, a player from the club's own youth program. With Sydney Art, who switched to a lock receiver-roll, the Crusaders have more dynamics added to the passing game, especially on crossing routes and option plays.

The offensive line of the Crusaders remains a major strength - experienced, aggressive and capable of handling the line of scrimmage to dominate. This unit allows the team to work both from play pistol and shotgun formations equally effectively.

Defensively, it turns at Amsterdam to flexibility and pressure. Defensive coaches Lief Erik and Nico Hamel have a hybrid 3-4 formation developed which can seamlessly switch to 5-man fronts and various coverage shells. Experienced defenders such as Jeffrey Juurlink and Travis Hunter bring relentless energy and the ability to both blitz and sink back into coverage.

What to keep an eye on

Battle in the Trenches

The young Groningen's offensive line represents her toughest test to date: neutralizing the exotic defensive fronts of the Crusaders. As Garriga under constant pressure, it can be a be a long afternoon for the Giants.

Running Back by Committee

The stable running back group of Amsterdam can the Giants' defense over slowly demolish four quarters. Expect that Alfarez keeps his running backs fresh with constant rotation and variation in formations.

Big Plays

With equivalent defenses and similar time-of-possession strategies, can this match tilt on a big play or an important turnover. Expect that Groningen will test the Cru with deep passes.

Coaching Chess Match

Peek and Alfarez form a fascinating contrast - one a relative newcomer to the Dutch scene, the other a fixture. Their ability to make adjustments during the race may determine the outcome.

X-Factors

• Martin Garriga (QB, Giants) - If he can extend drives and avoid turnovers, Groningen can keep the game exciting.

• Mikhail Bruev (QB, Crusaders) - His ability to manage the game and pass at the right time is crucial, especially when Groningen fills the box.

• Jeffrey (LB, Crusaders) - A veteran with European League of Football (ELF) experience., he will set the tone on defense.

• Giljs Wilke (RB/LB, Giants) - Plays on both sides of the ball and has the explosiveness to tip momentum in one play.

Source: AFI