England vs Tunisia: Players bugged by swarm of midges before World Cup opener in Volgograd

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Standard Sport18 June 2018

England will have more to contend with than just the weight of the nation's expectations in their World Cup opener against Tunisia tonight, as the players were plagued by midges at Volgograd Arena.

As Gareth Southgate's squad were put through their paces during the warm-up, the likes of captain Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard were clearly disturbed by the presence of the insects at pitch level.

Earlier in the day, vicious Arctic mosquitoes have swarmed the England team's hotel in Volgograd as authorities battle to wipe them out.

The blood-sucking insects descended on the Hilton Garden Hotel in the city centre as the England team arrived at their temporary accommodation on Sunday evening.

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Sky reporter Kaveh Solhekol tweeted last night: “Just had to abort going live on Sky Sports News with seconds to spare because of invasion of flies outside England team hotel. Big problem here.”

Russian authorities have been struggling to get rid of the mosquitoes after they invaded the city en-masse in May.

PA

Helicopters have been spraying insecticide over the stadium in a bid to fight the mosquitoes, while the England team have apparently stocked up on repellent.

The Arctic mosquitoes thrive in Volgograd, located in south west Russia, due to the city’s proximity to the River Volga and its warmer climate.

One resident told the Daily Mail: “The government tries [to remove the mosquitos] but they are not consistent so it is never resolved.”

England football fans wave flags as they arrive in Volgograd
AFP/Getty Images

The mosquitoes usually make way for midges in June, but the transition is yet to take place this year.

Researcher Lauren Culler told National Geographic: “There aren't a lot of animals for them to eat in the Arctic, so when they finally find one, they are ferocious.

“They are relentless. They do not stop. They just keep going after you.”

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