Legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was second to none in keeping the ball out of the net during his playing days between the sticks. However, the Great Dane struggled to keep the cold out during the 2018 World Cup draw.
Winters in Denmark are not exactly pleasant, so Schmeichel may have thought he’d have no problem adapting to the Russian winter when it was announced he had signed on with RT to be a host at next year’s World Cup. He was bitterly disappointed.
Broadcasting live from the rooftop of a Moscow hotel in a blizzard isn’t something we’d recommend you do often, as Schmeichel learned on Friday night. With temperatures dipping to around 27 degrees fahrenheit (-2 celsius), the red-nosed Dane was left visibly shaken during the live broadcast.
While it’s nothing a vodka or two wouldn’t fix at this time of year, soccer fans won’t have to battle such chilly conditions when the World Cup rolls around in June, when temperatures hit an average high of 72 degrees fahrenheit (22 celsius).
Denmark, who beat the Republic of Ireland in a playoff to secure their place at Russia 2018, will face Peru, Australia and erstwhile champions France at next year’s tournament. Meanwhile, Russia were drawn against Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Luckily for Schmeichel the tournament will be held in the summer, so he can leave the heavy jacket at home. For now he’ll have to make do with a nice cup of tea.
