Germany produced one of the most eye-catching starts of the World Cup, even if the level of opposition has to be kept in context.
Their 7-1 win over Curacao gave Julian Nagelsmann’s side a relaxed opening night and immediately showed the attacking quality available in the squad.
Yet that comfortable debut has now been contrasted by a far stranger episode away from the pitch, after Joshua Kimmich revealed an unusual scare at Germany’s World Cup headquarters.
Joshua Kimmich reveals Germany found dangerous snake at World Cup base
Kimmich told German outlet Bild that the squad came across a snake at their training center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The 31-year-old said (via Underdog): “We saw a snake yesterday, but we were told it was venomous. If you get bitten, you have to go to the hospital. I don’t think you’ll die, but it’s certainly dangerous… I have a bit of respect for them here. In Germany, I have the feeling there aren’t so many dangerous animals.”
It was an unexpected reminder that World Cup preparation can involve more than training routines, recovery work and tactical meetings.
England already had awkward World Cup headquarters incident before Germany scare
The snake episode is not the first unusual headquarters-related story of the tournament.
England had training equipment stolen before their arrival in Kansas City, after vehicles transferring items to their Swope Soccer Village base were broken into.
The majority of the equipment was later recovered, while footwear was among the items taken. Two arrests were understood to have been made, according to BBC.
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