2 hrs ago
Ruud Gullit Highlights European T20 Premier League’s Growing Appeal
Ruud Gullit, a famous former football player from the Netherlands, watched a cricket match in The Hague.
The game was part of the European T20 Premier League, or ETPL.
He said cricket was faster and more difficult to play than he expected.
He also enjoyed the different kinds of bowlers and the friendly crowd.
Steve Waugh invited Gullit to the match.
Waugh believes cricket can become more popular across Europe.
Abhishek Bachchan said people in the Netherlands have responded very strongly to the league.
The ETPL brings together six teams from European cities.
Organizers hope this will help more people discover cricket.
Former Netherlands football captain Ruud Gullit attended an ETPL match at Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague.
Gullit said the live experience impressed him because of cricket’s speed, skill and varied bowling techniques.
Steve Waugh, co-owner of the Amsterdam Flames, invited Gullit and said cricket has major growth potential in Europe.
ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan described the Netherlands response to the league as overwhelming.
The ETPL features six franchises representing Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
- Who
- Ruud Gullit attended an ETPL match after being invited by Steve Waugh; ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan also commented on the event.
- What
- Gullit watched a European T20 Premier League cricket match and praised the game’s speed, skill and atmosphere.
- Where
- Voorburg Cricket Club in The Hague, the Netherlands.
- When
- The event was reported on 10 September 2026 and took place during the preceding weekend.
- Why
- Gullit attended to experience the ETPL and support the growth of cricket in the Netherlands and Europe.
Key facts
- Event
- European T20 Premier League match
- Venue
- Voorburg Cricket Club
- Location
- The Hague, the Netherlands
- Guest
- Ruud Gullit, former Netherlands captain and AC Milan player
- Invitation
- Steve Waugh invited Gullit to the match
- League teams
- Six franchises representing Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam and Amsterdam
- Organizational comment
- ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan called the Netherlands response overwhelming
Quotes
Ruud Gullit
Former Netherlands football captain and AC Milan player
“It's a different view from the moment you see it live: how quick the ball is, how difficult it is to hit, how big the pitch is. I was impressed.”
freepressjournal.in
“Cricket has a huge opportunity in Europe, and days like this show the ETPL is already earning its place in the continent's sporting life.”
freepressjournal.in
Abhishek Bachchan
ETPL co-founder
“To see the energy around the ETPL has been incredibly encouraging for everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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