“The World Cup is of course the highest stage and the most beautiful thing there is,” says Danzell, who is himself a former professional football player. “I was really tense.”
That tension quickly gave way to enthusiasm when Ryan provided a cross from which Virgil van Dijk scored the opening goal. “I think I accidentally woke up the neighbors, I screamed so loudly,” he laughs.
The assist was no surprise for Danzell. “I have seen a cross like this before at Liverpool last season. I already knew he could give such balls, but this one was exactly the right size.”
Critical brother
Although he is visibly proud, Danzell also remains critical. “I’m always strict as a brother,” he says. “But when I look at yesterday, I think he played a great match. In the first half the Dutch team was a bit searching. In the second half you saw that they came out much better and became much more dangerous. That also applied to Ryan.”
Gravenberch was also involved in the second Dutch goal. With a splitting pass he served World Cup debutant Crysencio Summerville, who then scored.
Still changed
After his second assist of the evening, Gravenberch was substituted. A decision that brother Danzell had mixed feelings about.
“The coach decides, he has his own thoughts about it. I thought it was a shame that he had to leave, but the national coach will have a reason for that.”