England won't be chilling like France at Euro 2012

Published Jun. 10, 2012 4:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

In their heated European Championship opener, France may already have an edge over England.

Temperatures in Donetsk, Ukraine could hit 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit) in Monday's Group D game.

There are no special plans to cool the players unlike their French counterparts, who will wear jackets packed with eight pockets of ice at halftime.

In fact, England coach Roy Hodgson didn't know about the French plan to reduce fatigue and regulate the players' body temperatures with the ''Cryo Jacket.''

''That's a new one on me, I hadn't heard about that,'' Hodgson said.

''I have a good medical team and a group of people that will be doing everything they can to rehydrate the players and bring their temperatures down,'' he added. ''I haven't got any specific things I can tell you.''

But the England players won't be blaming the heat for wilting in the Donbass Arena in the opening match.

''It's hot, but it's hot for both teams,'' captain Steven Gerrard said. ''I don't think we'll use the conditions or the heat as an excuse.''