It will be -5 degrees on Saturday evening and with a breeze it might feel even colder. Nevertheless, the football matches in the Eredivisie will continue, because the field is free of snow. Meanwhile, supporters sit in the stands in the cold and have to reach the stadium via a possibly slippery road. How do you best deal with that?
Football must continue if it can continue. Everyone agrees on that, says Eric van den Bogaert, chairman of the PSV Supporters Association. His club will play against Excelsior in Eindhoven on Saturday evening at eight o’clock.
To assure about smoothness
“You can dress in the cold,” he says. “Put on a hat, gloves or take a blanket with you if necessary. I think it will be doable this weekend. In Russia they almost always play with these kinds of temperatures.”
The chairman has more concerns about the situation on the road. “If the forecasts are correct in terms of snow and slippery conditions, it will be difficult to make the roads passable. If that is compromised, I think that is a reason to cancel. Supporters also come from far away, even from Texel and Friesland.”
Six hours on the bus
Marcel Vermolen of supporters association NAC Breda agrees. His club plays in Groningen on Saturday at nine o’clock. That means three hours there and three hours back on a potentially slippery road.
“It seems to be much worse in the north than in Brabant,” he says. “As far as we are concerned, the only thing the KNVB can do is move the match forward. We will drive slowly anyway, at walking pace if necessary.”
No additional measures
Vermolen notices that there are more cancellations. “Normally we have two buses full of supporters, now we go with one. That is of course everyone’s own choice.” He is not very concerned about the situation in the stadium. According to the NAC fan, at FC Groningen you are sheltered and the catering is inside.
NAC Breda itself is not taking any extra measures for its away supporters, a spokesperson said. PSV does not do that either. The Eindhoven club always sends an email with current information just before the match, says a spokesperson. This time, PSV will draw the supporters’ attention to the slippery and cold conditions.
Tips for staying warm in the stands
- It’s obvious, but dress warmly. Choose (thermal) layers, because this way you retain heat better, says the Red Cross. And go for waterproof and windproof clothing. As soon as you get wet from rain, but also from sweat, you only get colder.
- Cover your hands, nose and ears. These parts of your body are most sensitive to frostbite. So put on a hat and gloves.
- Cold often soaks into the concrete of the stadium. This means you get cold feet (or buttocks if you sit) more quickly. Therefore, wear walking shoes, because they are often a lot thicker than regular shoes. Or place a piece of cardboard on the floor or on your chair. This means you do not make direct contact with the cold.
- Eat and drink enough to keep your energy levels up. And no, unfortunately it’s better to leave that beer alone. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels. This means you lose heat faster and get colder, according to the Red Cross.
- You probably already do this, but it’s still important: move along. Stand, cheer or clap. This way you keep moving.
- Extra tip: make sure your phone is properly charged. The cold often drains the battery faster, so you still remain easily accessible.