Danny Makkelie will whistle his very first game at a World Cup ever on Sunday. That is not just one: the Dutch arbitrator can lead the match between Spain and Germany in the right direction. Makkelie is eager for his debut, as he has it recorded General Journal. “This level is so high.”
On paper, it is one of the most promising posters of the World Cup group stage, the game between Spain and Germany in Group E. Makkelie will be assisted by Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, while Pol van Boekel will be of service to VAR. The 39-year-old referee says he is ‘super proud’ of him and his team. “Now comes the moment of truth. We now also have to show it on the biggest stage. The European Championship is of course big, but this is global. And the level is so high there that it’s really about the details. You have to try to distinguish yourself,” says Makkelie.
Four years ago, the native of Curaçao was also present at the World Cup in Russia, but then he assisted Björn Kuipers in the role of video referee. The now retired arbitrator still serves as a sounding board for Makkelie, the upcoming World Cup debutant indicates. “We have a lot of contact. He then asks how things are going, how I feel and how I am preparing. Then he also gives tips. And so I ask how he dealt with certain dilemmas or put his team on edge. a good coach and experience expert to him.”
Although Makkelie would like to continue whistling in Qatar as long as possible, he also wants to stop when the Dutch national team goes far. “Of course it would be great if the Netherlands reached the final. I am also Dutch and chauvinistic. We rarely experience that, so I would love that. I am a sportsman. I want to get as far as possible, but you also have to look at the bigger picture In the end, more people are happy when the Netherlands reaches the final than when Team Makkelie succeeds,” concludes the honest leader.
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