The evening at LNK Sporta Parks ended in frustration for the Latvian U21 side, who fell 0-1 to Greece U21 national football team after conceding in the dying minutes. But even in defeat, there were flashes of promise, and 19-year-old Dannī Aņisjko was one of them. Energetic, sharp on the ball, and determined off it, the young winger spoke openly when talking with Baltic Football News after the match.
“We’re not sad, just disappointed,” he said. “I think we played really well. We kept them on their toes, stayed compact, and then to concede in the last minutes from a ricochet in the box… it’s not the best feeling. You work so hard for 90 minutes, create some good moments, defend well, and then end up with nothing. That’s hard to take.”
Aņisjko’s connection to Latvia runs deep, even though his footballing story began in England. “My dad, Vitālijs, is from Daugavpils. That’s where my roots are,” he explained. “He moved to England, but the connection with Latvia has always been there. My grandma still lives in Daugavpils, so every time I come here, it feels special.” His mother, meanwhile, comes from Ecuador – giving him a unique blend of backgrounds.
The journey to representing Latvia was a shared one between him and the federation. “I think it was kind of both,” he said when asked who made the first move. “No one really knew I had Latvian heritage. When I got my Latvian passport, I added the flag to my profile. That’s when conversations started, and everything just came together.” He received his passport just a few months before making his debut at the Baltic Cup U19, which marked the beginning of his international career.
Although this was only his third appearance for the U21s, Aņisjko already feels fully integrated. “All the boys here are like brothers. On the pitch, we fight for each other, talk to each other, and that’s what makes it special. I feel really welcomed and I’m grateful to be part of this team.”
At club level, he plays for Nottingham Forest F.C.’s academy, where he has been since 2015. This season, he has featured twice for their reserve side in the Premier League 2. His development was slowed last year by a cruciate ligament injury, but he’s worked his way back onto the pitch. “I had surgery in November and worked hard to get fit again for preseason,” he explained. “Now I’m training every day, trying to earn my spot again. Whenever the coach gives me a chance, I’ll be ready.”
When asked if he has trained with the club’s senior squad, his answer was simple and confident. “Yeah, I’ve trained with them,” he said. “Sometimes when they need players, they bring us up from the B team. It’s always a good experience.”
Aņisjko admits his Latvian vocabulary is still limited – words like Bumba and Paldies are the few of the many words he’s picked up – but that doesn’t get in the way. “We always find a way to communicate on the pitch. Football has its own language.”
As the conversation drew to a close, his focus returned to what matters most to him right now: the national team. “I’m just happy to be here with these players and coaches,” he said. “Right now I’m just here in Latvia representing the country and this is my main priority.”
