DENVER – Our MSU Denver student to student-athlete question-and-answer series with MSU Denver Athletics intern Liz Rosenberg continues today.

Today's subject is men's soccer player Gianni Steijlen.
 
Rosenberg: First off, how do you pronounce your last name?
Steijlen: It's like "Sty-Lynn." I've heard that question a couple of times.
 
Rosenberg: Tell me about yourself. How long have you lived in Colorado?
Steijlen: I was born and raised in Holland. I lived there until I was 21, then I came to Denver. I am 24 now so this will be my third year living here. Moving here was also my first time in America, Denver is the first spot for me in America. 
 
Rosenberg: What are you majoring in?
Steijlen: I'm majoring in entrepreneurship right now. It might change but it will be something that has to do with business for sure.  
 
Rosenberg: Soccer-wise what year are you and what is your position?
Steijlen: Third year and attacker, winger, left-wing, right-wing, or central attacker in midfield. I can play all the attacking positions.
 
Rosenberg: Since moving here was also your first time in America, how did you come across MSU Denver? How did you know it was a good fit to make that huge jump?
Steijlen: Well, you obviously don't know if it's a good fit beforehand. My name got put in a portal with my player bio and my stats. The coach who recruited me messaged me asking me if I wanted to come play and that is how it all started. It worked out well. 
 
Rosenberg: Have you been in America this whole year during the pandemic? Have you had connections with your family?
Steijlen: Yes, my family still lives in Eindhoven, where I'm from. As soon as COVID broke out in March, I flew back and was there for four months. I came back at the end of July. I have stayed in Denver since I got back and will be here over winter break. I will be back next semester since we get an extra year of eligibility.
 
Rosenberg: I heard you're a big basketball fan and followed March Madness games. Have you always followed American sports?
Steijlen: Yes, I love American sports! Before the pandemic I went to a Nuggets game once a month. I have also been to Avalanche games and a pre-season Bronco game. I follow the Broncos every time they play! The Denver Nuggets are also my favorite team. I didn't watch any American sports before I moved here. Baseball is tougher for me to watch but I have been to the Rockies stadium to work a raffle, but not to a game. That's on my list to watch a game. 
 
Rosenberg: How are sports here compared to back home in Holland?
Steijlen: Well, Americans love sports with the arms, obviously. In Europe soccer is the biggest sport. Other sports exist but aren't broadcast on TV the way soccer is. I noticed Americans love sports, everywhere you go they have TV screens to watch games. This one time I went to a decent, fancy restaurant and there were still TV screens everywhere. You would not see that in Europe. I think in general people care more about sports here then they do in Holland. I think it's because everyone has connections with sports, if they aren't the one playing, their sister or brother are playing. Someone in the family is playing sports. In Holland, I don't know anyone who plays a different sport than soccer. If I think really, really hard I might be able to.
 
Rosenberg: What is your favorite World Cup team?
Steijlen: I have two favorite teams. Italy and obviously Holland. We missed the World Cup last time, but we made the semis 2014 and lost against Argentina. But we are always in it for the prizes.
 
Rosenberg: How has COVID affected your soccer training and your season?
Steijlen: As a player, everything is a little bit insecure. We didn't know how our season was going to start until it started. When we came back, we couldn't play until everyone was here. It took a while to practice too, even now we aren't really practicing. We do workouts in groups of five, too. Being with all my team and having fun isn't possible right now. Normally we would lift before practice and then go out to the field to practice. This year it's just different, every team is facing that, not much we can do. 
 
Rosenberg: Do you have any fun facts about Holland?
Steijlen: Holland is below sea level, so a very smart person a long time ago, came up with the idea (I don't know how they did it) to make land out of water so we can live and keep our feet dry. Another fun fact, we don't have mountains, we have one hill. It is super flat land. If you translate how we say our country, it is "flat lands."
 
Rosenberg: Any words of wisdom to share?
Steijlen: I don't really have a motto, I live day by day...I would say, enjoy life every day!
 
Rosenberg: Do you have any social media that roadrunners can follow your journey?
Steijlen: @Gianni10k