OUR football mascot Harry Mane lapped up the luxury of England’s fabulous Euro 2024 team hotel yesterday — and relaxed with a copy of the super roar-away Sun.
The Three Lions beat host nation Germany to the best base available ahead of this June’s tournament.
And our furry footie fan looked like the big cat who’s got the cream, with his paws up on one of the beds Harry Kane and Co will kip in during their glory bid.
The Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa scored on all counts when we were given special permission to review it.
Gareth Southgate’s squad will be served by 160 staff at the vast 350-acre leisure site at Blankenhain, eastern Germany — including a robot waiter called Robbie.
Robbie, with flashing blue eyes, says phrases in German including “Excuse me” and “Please let me get on with my work” as he collects dishes from guests at one of the hotel’s six restaurants.
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Our Harry — named after the goal-getting England captain — devoured a rare steak before a Peter Crouch-style robot dance with the droid.
He moved on to attempt his own brand of crazy golf at one of the forest-fringed site’s three courses, where England stars will relax between games and training.
Harry also showed off his silky skills on the pristine Uefa-standard training pitch installed on the site for the England team.
He then went for a warm down at the spa complex.
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Wags and families are expected to visit if England progress towards the final in Berlin — and the “Rabbit Club” will lay on play activities for kids.
The hotel has been massively redeveloped by millionaire entrepreneur Matthias Grafe.
I have always said I’m only interested in having one team here — the team that wins the Euros — and I believe that team will be England
Mathias Grafe
Leipzig is the nearest big city but Erfurt, a 40-minute drive away, has good air and rail links to all ten tournament stadia.
Southgate is understood to have been impressed by the space and facilities on offer at the isolated but secure rural site.
FA planners signed off on a deal estimated at £800,000 for exclusive use of the 94-room hotel and its facilities for the duration of the tournament.
The Germans wanted to base their squad at the resort and will stay there for around two weeks in the build-up to the tournament.
But they have been contractually obliged to switch to a base in Herzogenaurach, Bavarian home town of their kit maker adidas.
German adidas banners and livery will be taken down and replaced by logos of England’s sponsor Nike and Three Lions decor before the stars arrive.
Players will stay in simply- furnished timber-clad rooms boasting boast pine forest views.
Temptations include crisp Warsteiner beer on draft, a choice of 300 fine wines, the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant and an opulent cigar lounge.
But the FA will be bringing its own team of chefs and dieticians to maximise the performance of a squad widely believed to have England’s best chance of silverware success since 1966.
Southgate and the team will arrive eight days before their first game against Serbia on June 16.
Owner Mr Grafe told The Sun: “The German team wanted to be based at my hotel but they have been obliged to work with their adidas sponsors so we’re delighted to welcome England instead.”
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The German said he would find his loyalties torn if the two countries meet during the tournament.
But he added: “I have always said I’m only interested in having one team here — the team that wins the Euros — and I believe that team will be England.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
