KONINGSDAG CUP WRITE-UP
Koningsdag, or Kings Day in the Netherlands is a big deal. The country turns out in their thousands, wearing orange and ready to party. So what better excuse is there to host a match to celebrate this special day on the footy field! This year the Dutch Australian Football Association (DAFA) hosted the inaugural Koningsdag Cup, which saw the Netherlands National team, the Flying Dutchmen, take on the Aussies from the Amsterdam Devils. The lines were being marked an hour before the first bounce with hail crashing down from the skies and the Flying Dutchmen were licking their lips at the prospect of taking on the Aussies in truly unpredictable Dutch weather. Unfortunately for the Dutchies the sun split open the clouds like a free-flowing Hawthorn passage of play and the game was on with sunny skies and a slight chill in the air.
The Aussies started the game strongly, turning early possessions into goals and the scoreboard was ticking over nicely. The Dutchies were struggling to get into the game until late in the first quarter when a number of turnovers and possessions turned into three quick goals. The first quarter finished up with the Aussies in front by 14 points, 3.1.19 to 5.3.33 and this was as close as the Dutchies got for the rest of the game. The Aussies let their experience and skills do the talking, kicking another 33 points in the second quarter, 34 points in the third and a whopping 49 points in the fourth quarter. The score at the final siren was 7.4.46 to 23.11.149 and the Aussies from the Amsterdam Devils lifted the inaugural Koningsdag Cup.
With the sun still putting on a remarkable show, the lads pulled out the BBQ for the first time this season and finished the day off with a delightful selection of burgers, hot dogs and potato salad, washed down with a few chilled beers.
The inaugural Koningsdag Cup was a success, and the Dutchies will be looking for revenge on May 21 when the sides meet again.
Written by Neil Cooke for AFL Europe
