Lost - Ellie Carpenter and Daniëlle Van De Donk

After Netherlands

After the final whistle blew, all of us piled into a big hug, all of us celebrating the 3-1 win. The match was a difficult one, a 1-1 tie by half time, but Amel and Ada quickly got us to a win. Sonia thankfully kept her post-match talk short, and immediately after i went straight over to the family and friend section, with Dama close by behind me.

"Ah my favourite child" My mum announces, not to me but to Dama, as she pulls her into a quick hug.

I love my mum, she was always a big part of my life and my football career, which Dama has been a part of for very long, so Dama is basically an honorary member of the Van De Donk family at this point.

After hugging Dama, she comes over to me, pulling me into a tight, long hug.

"Ik ben zo trots op je" (I'm so proud of you). She whispered in my ear, almost making me tear up right there on the pitch.

I was talking with my mum for a few more minutes, her telling me how much she enjoyed the game and me telling her funny stories about Dama until she left, off to interact with some of the fans who made their way out here.

I noticed Ellie on my right, interacting with an Australian kid that had made a sign for her. She looked so happy it was adorable. She continued making her way around, taking photos with the fans around the stadium. She looked so natural in this spotlight, and definitely looks like a new fan favourite with how people are reacting towards her.

I continued talking with my mum, and one of her friends that came with her until i noticed Ellie walking towards me, her hand going to my lower back for an instant while directly behind me, before she kept going past me.

"Hey Ellie! Come meet my mum and her friend" I say, getting her to come over.

"Guys, this is Ellie Carpenter, she joined the team not that long ago" I introduce her, placing my hand gently on her upper back leading them to her, letting them introduce themselves independently, them instantly taking Ellie into a hug.

It was actually kinda cute, my mum and Ellie in a hug. Ellie looked really happy during it, she must miss her family all the way back in Australia.

I stayed out with my mum in the field for almost an hour, because right after the game we were going to the airport.

However, spending all that time on the field meant that when i got into the changing room to shower and get ready, everyone was already done.

And now it was time for a not long drive to the airport.

Going through security was really funny, Dama being stopped and having to be searched making the rest of the team laugh at her all of us crowded in the security area. Then we all went and got some food upstairs which we ate before getting to our gate.

I tried to not focus on the actual plane the whole way to the airport and while we were there, but of course the nerves did eventually arrive right as we are about to go onto the plane.

We had just walked onto the air bridge where we were waiting for a few min for the people to get on the plane when my nerves started picking back up, me subconsciously picking at my nails on my left hand, my other hand placed on my suitcase beside me. Until Ellie came, picking up the hand dangling by my side, placing her hand in it, effectively stopping my ability from being able to pick at the dry skin at the side of my nails.

Her hand was there the whole time we walked onto the plane, until we got to our seats. Where she let go off my hand when we were getting into our seats, placing down our things, and fastening our seat belts. But then she took my hand again as the plane started moving. I actually blushed.