With temperatures set to dip to well below freezing in Germany at the weekend, the country's professional footballers and fans alike are bracing themselves for arctic conditions in this weekend's Bundesliga fixtures.
A cold front is sweeping across Europe and daytime temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius and below are forecast from Thursday to Sunday in some parts of Germany.
Champions Borussia Dortmund are at Nuremberg on Friday night and gloves, thermal underwear and plenty of layers will be the order of the day for both fans and spectators, with temperatures in the stadium set to fall to minus 10.
Likewise, league leaders Bayern Munich are at Hamburg on Saturday night, with forecasted temperatures of minus seven in the north German city.
Even the games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoon will not escape the freezing conditions.
The German Football Federation (DFB) has said there are no signs of possible cancellations as all Bundesliga clubs have under-soil heating, but the weather could affect the players.
The main dangers in cold weather are that there is a higher danger of tearing muscle fibre, blood flows more slowly, which can affect circulation, and by constantly breathing in cold air, the respiratory tract can be irritated.
"This is a borderline situation," Tim Meyer, the Germany national team doctor, told SID, an AFP subsidiary.
Meyer said at temperatures of minus 15, there is an "increased risk of injury".
Dortmund team doctor Markus Braun has said the players will be instructed to wear warm clothing under their football kit.
Fresh fruit and hot drinks will be available in the changing room to make sure they can take on as much energy and vitamins as possible.
"I will definitely wear some leggings and something under my shirt," said Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller.
Source: AFP
