It's sweltering in Texas. Even though the blue-and-yellow World Cup campaign has been going on for almost two weeks, the heat is an element that must be dealt with.
It's not easy.
Thursday's training at Dallas FC Stadium in Frisco was the worst Gabriel Gudmundsson has ever experienced in the heat.
"It was really hot today, I have to say. It's like everything stands still when you have the ball. We've started to get used to it a bit but it was hot today," says the Leeds player.
How does exercising in such heat affect you?
"There will be small mistakes, the energy will run out faster. So it will be nice to get some air conditioning in the upcoming match," says Gudmundsson, adding that he loses up to two kilograms during training in these temperatures.
Thank you, thank you.
Sweden opened the World Cup with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia in a classic outdoor stadium in Monterrey, Mexico. Next up is the World No. 8 Netherlands on Midsummer's Day in Houston, in an arena with a roof and air conditioning. The final group game against Japan, in Dallas, will also be played under cover.
People usually say football should be played outdoors. But in these circumstances, the Swedish players are happy that there are exceptions to the unwritten rule.
Right-back Alexander Bernhardsson exhales before settling into the chair in front of the press corps and says:
It was tough today, it was hard. But now it's over.
Since we arrived, I still think the training has been very good, with good quality and intensity. We've gotten into the heat pretty well, but today it wasn't exactly easy.
“A warm wall”
The room where Sweden holds its press conferences is cool and comfortable. Midfielder Benjamin Nygren describes the stark contrast as soon as you are forced to leave the indoor environment.
You all know that, just walking out the door is like walking into a hot wall.
When you're trying to conduct quality football training at the same time, it doesn't get any easier.
"Of course, everything becomes much more difficult. The body becomes much warmer and when you reach maximum heart rate, it is more difficult to come down. The head also becomes very hot," says Nygren.
Sweden–Netherlands kicks off on Midsummer's Day at 12 noon local time, 7 pm in Sweden.
