Amsterdam Admirals

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Amsterdam Admirals
Amsterdam Admirals Logo.svg
Founded1995
Closed2007
Based in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Home field Amsterdam Arena
Head coach Bart Andrus
League NFL Europe
ColorsAdmirals Blue, Orange, Green, White, Light Blue
     
Mascot(s)Albert the Albatross
World Bowls  (1) World Bowl XIII (2005)

The Amsterdam Admirals were a professional American football team based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, playing in the NFL Europe.

Contents

History

Following its completion in 1996, the Admirals moved into the Amsterdam ArenA (2000 image) in time for the 1997 WLAF season. Amsterdam Arena.jpg
Following its completion in 1996, the Admirals moved into the Amsterdam ArenA (2000 image) in time for the 1997 WLAF season.

The Admirals were formed in 1995 as part of the NFL's plan to restart the World League of American Football, to be based entirely in Europe. The Admirals were one of three new teams, the others being the Scottish Claymores based in Edinburgh and the Rhein Fire based in Düsseldorf, Germany, to join the old World League's European Division teams: the Barcelona Dragons, the Frankfurt Galaxy, and the London Monarchs.

The Admirals began playing their home games at the old Olympisch Stadion, built in 1928 for the Summer Games. They played there for two years until the Amsterdam ArenA was completed in 1996. When the Admirals were forced to schedule their last home game of the 2000 season against the Claymores away from the ArenA as Euro 2000 preparations were finalized, they made a return to the Olympisch Stadion in what turned out to be one of the most unusual games in American football history. The end zone at the north end of the stadium was ruled unsafe by the officials as the surface was in poor condition, so it was decided that the teams would change ends at every change of possession and play towards the other end zone.

They qualified for the 1995 World Bowl with a 9–1 regular season record, but lost to the Frankfurt Galaxy by a score of 26–22. Ten years later, in their eleventh year of existence, the Admirals won their first World Bowl by defeating the defending champion Berlin Thunder 27–21 in the championship game's 13th edition. The next season, they failed to defend their title against the Frankfurt Galaxy 22–7 in World Bowl XIV.

Under the "Player Continuity Program", the Admirals contracted linebacker Derrick Ballard and running back Jonathan Smith for the 2007 season.

Season-by-season

The Admirals' first home ground was the Olympic Stadium (1995 image), built for the Summer Olympic Games of 1928. World Bowl '95-between Amsterdam Admirals and Frankfurt Galaxy-was also held there. Exterieur OVERZICHT GEDEELTE VAN DE TRIBUNE - Amsterdam - 20301845 - RCE.jpg
The Admirals' first home ground was the Olympic Stadium (1995 image), built for the Summer Olympic Games of 1928. World Bowl '95–between Amsterdam Admirals and Frankfurt Galaxy–was also held there.
SeasonLeagueRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
1995 WLAF 910.9001st (League)01.000Lost to Frankfurt Galaxy in World Bowl III
1996 WLAF 550.5003rd (League)Out of playoffs.
1997 WLAF 550.5004th (League)No playoffs.
1998 NFLE 730.7003rd (League)Out of playoffs.
1999 NFLE 460.4004th (League)No playoffs.
2000 NFLE 460.4004th (League)No playoffs.
2001 NFLE 460.4005th (League)No playoffs.
2002 NFLE 460.4005th (League)No playoffs.
2003 NFLE 460.4005th (League)No playoffs.
2004 NFLE 550.5003rd (League)No playoffs.
2005 NFLE 640.6002nd (League)101.000 World Bowl XIII champions
2006 NFLE 730.7001st (League)01.000Lost to Frankfurt Galaxy in World Bowl XIV
2007 NFLE 460.4005th (League)No playoffs.
Total68620.52312.333

Head coaches

#NameTermRegular seasonPostseasonAchievements
GCWonLostTiesWin %GCWonLostWin %
1 Al Luginbill 19952000 6034260.567101.000
2 Bart Andrus 20012007 7034360.486211.500 World Bowl XIII championship
NFL Europe Coach of the Year (2005)

Attendance

Stadion De Meer 1937, Jacobus van Eck, Afb A01634001166.jpg
Amsterdam's second home match of 1995 was played at De Meer (1937 photo) shortly before closure in 1996 and demolition in 1998.
Interieur, overzicht, na de restauratie - Amsterdam - 20320165 - RCE.jpg
The club twice returned to the Olympic Stadium–restored in the Admirals' absence–after the 1997 move: once for their last home match of the 2000 NFL Europe season, versus Scottish Claymores; and for a 2007 NFL Europa game against Berlin Thunder that proved to be the final match in their history.

Source: Kenn.com

YearGamesTotalAverage
Amsterdam Admirals (World League)
1995 572,76714,553
1996 550,09410,019
1997 573,42514,685
Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europe)
1998 579,26315,853
1999 561,44412,289
2000 554,98510,997
2001 566,29213,258
2002 558,32211,664
2003 557,20811,442
2004 562,49612,499
2005 564,38612,877
2006 567,10613,421
Amsterdam Admirals (NFL Europa)
2007 558,39011,678
1365826,17812,710

Ring of Honor

Notable players

League records (1995–2007)

Individual records

Highest pass rating, season (qualifiers)Most passes attempted, season
PlayerYearRatingPlayerYearAttempted
Gibran Hamdan 2006 113.4 Will Furrer 1996 368
Most passes completed, seasonHighest average gain, season (qualifiers)
PlayerYearCompletedPlayerYearAverage
Shaun Hill 2003 220 Gibran Hamdan 2006 10.06
Most consecutive passes attempted, none interceptedMost games, 100 or more yards pass receiving, season
PlayerYearAttemptedPlayerYearGames
Ron Powlus 2000 156 Skyler Fulton 2006 6
Most consecutive games, 100 or more yards pass receivingMost yards gained, career
PlayerYearGamesPlayerYearYards
Matthew Hatchette 2003 4 Joe Douglass 19981999 624
Longest punt returnMost Opponents' Fumbles Recovered, season
PlayerYearYardsPlayerYearFumbles
Matthew Hatchette Amsterdam vs. Berlin, 5/31/03 101 Karmeeleyah McGill 1995 4
Longest Fumble Return
PlayerYearYards
Derrick Ballard Amsterdam vs. Berlin, 3/18/06 95

Team records

Most passes completed, seasonFewest Passes Completed, season
YearCompletedYearCompleted
2003 271 1997 116
Fewest Yards Gained, seasonFewest rushing touchdowns, season
YearYardsYearTouchdowns
1997 1208 2000 1
Most Points, Both Teams, gameMost punt returns, season
YearPointsYearYards
5/31/03 (vs. Berlin)94 (51–43) 1998 39
Most yards gained on Punt Return, gameMost yards gained on Punt Return, Both Teams, game
YearYardsYearYards
5/11/96 (vs. London)175 5/11/96 (vs. London)201
Fewest Yards Gained on Kickoff Return, gameMost yards gained on Kickoff Return, Both Teams, game
YearYardsYearYards
5/28/00 (vs. Frankfurt)2 5/31/03 (vs. Berlin)451 (188–263)
Fewest Fumbles, seasonFewest Fumbles Lost, season
YearFumblesYearFumbles
2003 7 2003 2
Most Fumbles Lost, Both Teams, gameMost Opponents' Fumbles Recovered, season
YearFumblesYearFumbles
5/13/95 (vs. Barcelona)8 (4–4) 1995 20
Most Opponents' Fumbles Recovered, Both Teams, gameFewest Yards Penalized, Both Teams, game
YearFumblesYearYards
5/13/95 (vs. Barcelona)8 (4–4) 5/18/97 (vs. Scotland)25 (15–10)
Most Yards Penalized, Both Teams, gameFewest yards allowed by Defense, rushing, season
YearYardsYearYards
6/1/02 (vs. Frankfurt)294 (116–178) 2000 654

Source: NFLEurope.com

See also

Related Research Articles

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The 2006 Amsterdam Admirals season was the 12th season for the team in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Bart Andrus in his sixth year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of seven wins and three losses. In World Bowl XIV, Amsterdam lost to the Frankfurt Galaxy 7–22.

The 2007 Amsterdam Admirals season was the 13th and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Bart Andrus in his seventh year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA and Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in fifth place with a record of four wins and six losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29, ending the Admirals' 13-year existence.

The 2007 Cologne Centurions season was the fourth and final season for the franchise in the NFL Europa League (NFLEL). The team were led by head coach David Duggan in his second year and played its home games at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany. When Duggan gave up coaching after week nine due to health issues, defensive coordinator John Lyons was elevated to the position of interim head coach for the final game. They finished the season in third place with a record of six wins and four losses. The National Football League (NFL) announced the closure of its European branch on June 29.

The 2004 Berlin Thunder season was the sixth season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Rick Lantz in his first year, and played its home games at Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of nine wins and one loss. In World Bowl XII, Berlin defeated the Frankfurt Galaxy 30–24. The victory marked the franchise's third World Bowl championship.

The 2004 Rhein Fire season was the tenth season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Pete Kuharchek in his fourth year, and played its home games at Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. They finished the regular season in fifth place with a record of three wins and seven losses.

The 1995 Frankfurt Galaxy season was the third season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Ernie Stautner in his first year, and played its home games at Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany. They finished the regular season in second place with a record of six wins and four losses. In World Bowl '95, Frankfurt defeated the Amsterdam Admirals 26–22. The victory marked the franchise's first World Bowl championship.

The 1996 Frankfurt Galaxy season was the fourth season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Ernie Stautner in his second year, and played its home games at Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany. They finished the regular season in second place with a record of six wins and four losses. In World Bowl '96, Frankfurt lost to the Scottish Claymores 32–27.

The 1995 Amsterdam Admirals season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Al Luginbill, and played its home games at Olympisch Stadion and De Meer Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of nine wins and one loss. In World Bowl '95, Amsterdam lost to the Frankfurt Galaxy 26–22.

The 1996 Amsterdam Admirals season was the second season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Al Luginbill in his second year, and played its home games at Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in third place with a record of five wins and five losses.

The 1997 Amsterdam Admirals season was the third season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Al Luginbill in his third year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of five wins and five losses.

The 2004 Amsterdam Admirals season was the tenth season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Bart Andrus in his fourth year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in third place with a record of five wins and five losses.

The 2004 Cologne Centurions season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Peter Vaas and played its home games at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany. They finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of four wins and six losses.

The 2005 Amsterdam Admirals season was the 11th season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Bart Andrus in his fifth year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in second place with a record of six wins and four losses. In World Bowl XIII, Amsterdam defeated the Berlin Thunder 27–21. The victory marked the franchise's first and only World Bowl championship.

The 1996 Scottish Claymores season was the second season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Jim Criner in his second year, and played its home games at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. They finished the regular season in first place with a record of seven wins and three losses. In World Bowl '96, Scotland defeated the Frankfurt Galaxy 32–27. The victory marked the franchise's first World Bowl championship, in its second active season.

The 1995 Scottish Claymores season was the inaugural season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team played its home games at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. They finished the regular season in sixth place with a record of two wins and eight losses.

The 1999 Amsterdam Admirals season was the fifth season for the franchise in the NFL Europe League (NFLEL). The team was led by head coach Al Luginbill in his fifth year, and played its home games at Amsterdam ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands. They finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of four wins and six losses.

The 1995 World League of American Football season was the third season of the professional American football league organized by the NFL. It was the league's first season with six teams based only in Europe.