While Norwegians and Englishmen sought the sun to replenish vitamin D, Declan Rice ended up with sunburn. Others chose ice hockey, country concerts – or an ordinary trip to the supermarket.
Due to poor food safety in the United States with extensive use of chemicals and genetically modified food, the Norwegian national team has brought packed lunches to the United States. – Several hundred kilos of salmon, brown cheese and various other things have been transported across the sea to three Norwegian chefs who provide all the food.
As soon as the first warm rays of the sun appear in April, people run to the beach. But for footballers in the World Cup, it’s about something more than relaxation: it’s about preparation, acclimatisation – and sometimes sunburn.
Ahead of this year’s World Cup in the United States, several teams have set up different strategies to get used to the American climate. Norway and England were among the first to arrive, and both planned to train in shorts and minimal clothing – to avoid the sun and get vitamin D.
Surely smart to be suitably temperate and acclimatized before tonight’s game against Senegal.
Read on Sporten: Norway vs. Senegal: Everything you need before the World Cup thriller – lineups and our prediction
Declan Rice admitted that he had gotten really sunburned. Coincidentally, they won their games anyway. The Norwegians, on the other hand, stayed gently tanned and could cheer for victory as well.
Portugal chose a different approach. They arrived later and acclimatized at the last minute. Before the game against DR Congo, Rúben Dias spoke warmly about the beach visits in Miami – but after an unexpected loss, the question became completely different: Was it wise to spend so much time on the beach? It was a sunburn of a different calibre, if you can put it that way.
Breaks from the pressure – and ordinary moments
While the World Cup is one of the most intense moments in a footballer’s career, breaks are also important. The players have found their own ways to relax:
- Erling Haaland went to an ice hockey match.
- Harry Kane went to a country music concert.
- Lamine Yamal did something far more mundane: he went to the supermarket – without being recognized.
It says something about how even the biggest stars seek ordinary moments in an otherwise unreal everyday life.
It’s easy to forget that football isn’t that important in the US, where they’re more concerned with American football, a sport where they carry around an elliptical leather thing. – It’s not the legs and it’s not a run ball!!
Fatherhood and freedom – Doku, Østigård and the choices that matter
The differences between male and female athletes in terms of parenthood have been discussed several times. This week, the debate was rekindled when Belgian Jérémy Doku considered returning home to witness the birth of his first child – in the middle of the World Cup.
A female journalist questioned what a father should actually do in the delivery room. The reactions were not long in coming.
At the same time, Norwegian Leo Østigård chose to follow the birth of his child via video call from the United States – a solution that worked for him, but which also shows how difficult such choices can be.
It all boils down to one question: The player – and the father – must be able to make the choice for themselves. Maybe a few hours on the beach can help you find peace. As long as the sunscreen is in place.
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