Soccer players in North Carolina players are exercising caution during training after a species of venomous snake was reportedly spotted lurking around their camp. Joshua Kimmich, captain of the German team, who have been rigorously training for the World Cup, voiced concerns for player safety along with other players after the critter was spotted.
Players from Germany, Switzerland, and Norway all voiced their concerns for their safety after Kimmich and his team came face-to-scaly-face with a copperhead, reports BBC News. The venomous snake is commonly found in North Carolina. At the same time, the Swiss team has designated a part of their San Diego camp as the “snake area.”
“We saw a snake yesterday, we were told it was venomous. If you get bitten, you have to go to the hospital.” Kimmich said. “I don’t think you’ll die,” the German captain continued, “but it’s certainly dangerous. I have the feeling that if you step on a snake like that, it can end badly.” Kimmich isn’t entirely wrong. While a bite from a copperhead isn’t life-threatening in most cases, according to ncwildlife.gov, it can be painful and should be treated as serious.
It’s a different ball game in the states
The World Cup happening in the U.S. has been a culture shock for everyone involved. While Americans get used to Scottish fans drinking their pubs dry, it seems the players are going to have to get used to an entirely different wildlife ecosystem.
Comparing wildlife between Germany and the U.S., Kimmich noted that “there aren’t so many dangerous animals.” For now the teams are playing it safe, “we’re trying to keep our distance from animals here. I have respect for the people here.” There are seven species of snake that live in Germany with two of them being venomous, as per the BBC.
Kimmich claimed that the concerns over venomous critters hiding in the grass was somewhat having an effect on the team training. “We’re here trying to prepare for the biggest tournament in football, and suddenly players are looking at the ground before every step they take,” he said. Germany have won four world cups in the past with their most recent being in 2014. They are one of the top-seeded teams in the competition this year.
Meanwhile the Norwegian team, who are also based in North Carolina, were less than pleased with the news about the dangerous snakes in their area. “I’m not happy at all to hear that,” Norway Team Captain Kristian Thorstvedt said when informed about the copperheads.
It seems the local wildlife are yet another thing to contend with when playing in the U.S. That, coupled with the heat in the country, means it’s an entirely different ball game than many Europeans might be used to.
