Dutch Mamba’s at Adria Bowl III 2024
The Dutch Mambas traveled to Croatia for Adria Bowl III with a very small squad — only five players, to be exact. But this was never about numbers. This was a team built around the most important element of the whole game: having FUN.
And fun? That was guaranteed.
With players like Leroy Teunis, Jordi Anrochte, Alejandro Alvarez, and Ocean Elegna, Coach Demy de Groot put together one of his most exciting lineups ever. Thanks to a green light from the organization, two Dutch league standouts from the Amsterdam Panthers were also able to join the team: Angga and Levi.
There was just one small twist — the Amsterdam Panthers were also competing at Adria Bowl. Fortunately, they played in the Elite Division, while the Dutch Mambas were placed in the Leisure Division, due to the limited roster.
And that’s where the real story begins.
After a surprising but heart-warming draft, we were announced as one of the tournament favorites. From the very first games, the Mambas were rocking it — wins, smiles, and pure joy on the field. But even more than the results, we believe we were the true winners of the entire tournament.
Why? Because of the friendships.
We bonded with every team we played, creating incredible connections between the Dutch Mambas and teams from all over Europe. Let’s call it “Mamba Magic.” ✨
Making friends, having fun, and celebrating Flag Football in its purest form.
Day one was filled with victories, and the Mamba squad felt unstoppable — until injuries struck. One by one, they made it impossible to continue with our original lineup. But once again, the magic showed itself.
Thanks to the amazing people we had met, we kept playing. We received help from the Frosty Foxes, Nierstein Bulls, and Amélie Stüssi, who was at the tournament as a photographer for the Vienna Jets.
Suddenly, it felt like an NFL showcase team — a mix of players, united by love for the game. Something you rarely see, and something that could only happen at a tournament like Adria Bowl, where friendship and community are just as important as competition.
By the end, we weren’t just the Dutch Mambas anymore — we had become the European Mambas.
And we can proudly say: there was no better “tournament win” than the one we achieved together, with all the friends we made along the way.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this experience unforgettable. 💚🏈
