Euro 2024

ENGLAND have made a number of special requests to their five-star base for Euro 2024.The Three Lions kick-off their campaign against Serbia on Sunday.England are staying at the five-star Weimarer Land Golf and Spa resortCredit: Alistair GrantThe luxury venue is in the rural town of BlackenhainCredit: Darren FletcherEngland have paid £850,000 to secure the baseCredit: Darren FletcherBoth Austria and Holland considered staying thereCredit: Darren FletcherThe resort has been described as ‘tranquil’Credit: Darren FletcherBedrooms will have a personal touch to make the players feel at homeCredit: Darren FletcherThe football pitch has been approved by Wembley grounds staffWith players set to touchdown in Germany shortly, the Weimarer Land Spa and Golf resort in the small rural town of Blankenhain have been preparing for their arrival.The luxury venue has state-of-the-art football pitches, 45 golf holes, a gym, spa, swimming pool, treatment and conference rooms, as well a games area with snooker and table tennis.England stars will also be catered for in the two Michelin-star restaurants.Austria and the Netherlands both wanted to use the tranquil 94-room resort as their base for the Euros. READ MORE ON EURO 2024But an £850,000 bid was reportedly enough to see England complete their booking. And several special requests have been made before the players check-in.Owner Matthias Grafe told Bild: “Most questions were about the air conditioning in the rooms – probably after the experience in Qatar. We had to retrofit one room. “We also ensured that English television was broadcast via satellite in the rooms. Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”And we blacked out the glass fronts and windows so that the notorious yellow press couldn’t take pictures of the boys.”In the kitchen, 35 chefs are on hand as Grafe confirmed England have chosen a bespoke menu.Harry mane the Lion visits Weimarer Land Spa and Gold where The England team will stay for the Euros this summerMeet the ROBOT waiter looking after England stars at the Euros

ENGLAND stars will be served by a ROBOT called Robbie at the Euros.
Robbie is a key part of 160-strong staff at the vast 350-acre leisure site at Blankenhain, eastern Germany, where Gareth Southgate’s squad will be staying for the tournament.
The real-life WALL-E – kitted out in a Germany shirt with the name Kehrbart and the squad number 24 on it – helps out in the restaurant.
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.
A source told The Sun: “Robbie is usually a slate grey colour with flashing blue eyes and helps staff deliver plates and dishes.
“But the German team stayed at the hotel recently so he was given a new look and new name to support them.
“I’m not sure whether the England team will want to change his look when they arrive but a Three Lions shirt and an English name might be a good idea.”
Find out all about Robbie the robot waiter…

And a robot waiter named Robbie goes around collecting empty plates.There has also been changes to the rooms to make the resort a home away from home.Grafe said: “The rooms of the players, coaches and support staff are also decorated with personal items. ‘For example, we received family photos and other personal items in advance, which we then used to decorate the rooms.”A Wembley groundsman has visited the base to give his seal of approval to the training pitch.Reports suggest England have brought their own scent to the hotel too.The FA packed their bags with special fragrances to spray around the venue in order to give the players a sense of familiarity.The scents are the same ones used at England’s St George’s Park training base.There has been scientific studies that claim smells can improve performances as they help mental well-being and promote relaxation away from the pitch.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, England’s Wags will be staying at a different five-star location 20 miles up the road.They will be allowed to visit their loved ones, with manager Gareth Southgate set to decide the correct time for visitors.There is a huge spa for the players to relaxCredit: Darren FletcherA swimming pool is also on siteWindows have been blacked out to prevent photographers taking photosCredit: Darren FletcherPlus, there is a top quality gym facilitiesCredit: Darren FletcherAnd family photos will help it become a home from homeEngland have also reportedly brought along their own scentCredit: Darren FletcherThe resort has 45 golf holesInside German castle England Wags plan to stay at for Euro 2024England’s Wags plan to stay in a luxury German castle during the Euros this summer.

A source revealed they are keen to let their hair down after abiding by strict rules at the World Cup in Qatar, and are planning a stay in a private, secluded area.
The Wags have scouted the five-star Schlosshotel resort in Kronberg, where rooms cost up to £1,750 a night, and the Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
The hotel also offers a limousine service for guests, comes with on-call masseuses and butlers and boasts a Porsche rental service.
The group are also looking at Schloss Auel Boutique Hotel in Lohmar.
It offers cocktail bars, Michelin star chefs and a team of personal assistants to assist with any requests.
The group could include Kieran Trippier’s wife Charlotte, Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan, Harry Maguire’s wife Fern, Kyle Walker’s wife Annie and Luke Shaw’s partner Anouska Santos.
Read more on the Wags’ plans for the summer. More

EURO 2024 is just four days away — and SunSport have assembled a dream team of star columnists to keep you in the picture.Jack Wilshere, Jurgen Klinsmann, Harry Redknapp and Gordon Strachan kicked off the countdown to the finals with a Q&A night in front of Sun football fans.Harry Redknapp, Gordon Strachan, Jack Wilshere and Jurgen Klinsmann are the Euro 2024 SunSport columnistsCredit: Darren FletcherThe dream team of stars put on a superb preview night for The Sun football fansCredit: Darren FletcherThe quartet were quizzed on the key issues by The Sun’s Head of Sport SHAUN CUSTIS . . .WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE FINAL 26-MAN ENGLAND SQUAD?Redknapp: “My confidence is not as strong as it was before the squad was announced.“I’m sorry to see Harry Maguire not there. You put your life on him. He isn’t the most talented but we’ll miss him.“Jack Grealish is a big loss. Maybe he needs to get back to concentrating on his football. His form this year has gone to pieces. I’m not sure he’s Gareth Southgate’s cup of tea.”READ MORE ON EURO 2024Wilshere: “The biggest shock for me is James Maddison. He creates space, occupies players and can make that final pass.“I would put Kyle Walker in centre-back with his experience. Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are fearless, especially Mainoo playing for Manchester United. He’s got the mentality to cope.”PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
HOW BIG A ROLE WILL HARRY KANE PLAY?Klinsmann: “Harry Kane is hungry as hell. Being at Bayern will help, not only scoring a phenomenal amount of goals but experiencing all the stadiums, the country. People love him in Germany.“Maybe it’s meant to be that he finally wins his first trophy with England in Germany.”Most read in Euro 2024Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euros fantasy gameRedknapp: “We’ve got the best No 9 in the world. He’s very important. He’s a complete all-round footballer and can do everything.”Strachan: “I like Harry. There’s a humility about him that every kid could concentrate on. Forget Instagram and TikTok, watch him. He’s wonderful at playing football.”IS THIS JUDE BELLINGHAM’S TOURNAMENT?Wilshere: “I’ve never seen anything like it with that mentality, humility but also a top, top player who has got everything.“He’s so young but when you listen to him, he’s like a mature 30-year-old man. We should be so excited about him.”Klinsmann: “His courage to go abroad is priceless. He speaks German, he’s learning Spanish. He needs to see this as school and stay loving the game . . . have fun, enjoy it with a smile. The whole world recognises him already.”Harry Kane’s experience in Germany could prove crucialCredit: GettyJude Bellingham will hope to lead England to gloryCredit: PAHOW DOES THE SCOTLAND SIDE SHAPE UP?Strachan: “Steve Clarke’s built a team around the best players, he’s got a wonderful midfield. Scott McTominay, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and Callum McGregor.“Up front, they need somebody to complement the midfielders because they’ll score goals. Every team will find it hard playing against them.”Wilshere: “I love Gilmour. What a player. Brighton have done unbelievable things with him.“I used to hate playing against McGinn, you couldn’t get the ball off him. Scotland have characters in there.”WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM HOSTS GERMANY?Klinsmann: “I’m confident. After huge disappointments in the last two World Cups where maybe optimism became arrogance, it’s time this generation shows a different face. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz are exciting youngsters.“Toni Kroos retires here. Kai Havertz is wonderful. It’s a good mix of young and old.The experts reckon Scotland’s midfield will make them very tough to beatCredit: EPAFlorian Wirtz and Toni Kroos epitomise the youth and experience in the Germany squadCredit: Getty“They need a good result and good performance in the opener against Scotland. If they do, they can ride a wave and make the semis.”Redknapp: “I’m interested in Germany because it’s about time they produced again.“Being at home, they’re going to be dangerous. For England, Germany and Portugal would be the teams I would fear most.”IS THE PRESSURE OF PENALTIES STILL A WORRY FOR ENGLAND?Wilshere: “We practised penalties but you can’t recreate playing for your country in a full stadium in training. “What Gareth has done is he’s brought in a new method to the practice where he takes a few players away and they really focus on the technique.“I would trust us more now in that situation but still, there is this anxiety around penalties.”Strachan: “I took 60, scored 54. It was quite simple at Aberdeen under Alex Ferguson, because you were dead if you missed, your life became a misery, I was petrified.“On many occasions, England could’ve gone for more goals.“Determine your own future, how the game goes. If they get that mentality, then they won’t have to go to penalties.“You’ve got the players to win this. You’ve got players that the whole of Europe are scared of. Well, go and scare them.”SHOULD SOUTHGATE LEAVE AFTER THE EUROS?Redknapp: “If they don’t win it, I think Gareth probably goes. But if they win it, he’s in an amazing position. “He stays if he wants to or he goes out as a winner and I’m sure Manchester United would be knocking on the door.”Strachan: “If I was Gareth, I would go and be a full-time club manager somewhere.“Whatever happens, I would say, ‘Thanks very much, great experience, see you later’. If you don’t win it, in the first interview you say, ‘I’m off’.”ARE ENGLAND THE FAVOURITES?Klinsmann: “The timing is just right. After Russia, the Euros final and Qatar, the team is mature enough to deal with all the expectations and pressure.“Gareth Southgate has matured and learnt, too. I can really imagine that this is the moment for England.”England will be desperate not to lose on penalties after their final heartache three years agoCredit: GettyGareth Southgate may leave his job after the tournamentCredit: GettyRedknapp: “I think we’ll win it. If we get to the semi-final and get knocked out, we haven’t done well.“This team needs to win it. This is an amazing group of young players, especially going forward. I’d like to see us have a right go and tear teams to pieces. If we do that, I can’t see anybody stopping us.”Wilshere: “We’re definitely favourites. If we don’t win it, it will be seen as a failure. Gareth’s done such a great job and he’s brought hope.“We’ve got the best players on paper but I know the game’s not played on paper.”Strachan: “I’m a fan of some of the players. But no, you are bad enough and unbearable as a nation without winning anything. “So if you win something, it’ll be a complete nightmare and I’m moving to Iceland where I can enjoy myself, change my nationality to Icelandic and bask in the glory of beating England!”WHO WILL WIN EURO 2024?Klinsmann: “England.”Strachan: “Germany.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWilshere: “England.”Redknapp: “England.”Wilshere offered his expert insightCredit: Darren FletcherStrachan entertained the crowd with his superb anecdotesCredit: Darren FletcherHarry Redknapp is on the team for SunSportCredit: Darren FletcherJurgen Klinsmann completes the teamCredit: Darren FletcherThe Sun’s Head of Sport Shaun Custis hosted the eveningCredit: Darren Fletcher More

DECLAN RICE chose posh nosh out with his family for the sweetest of send-offs for Euro 2024.The England midfielder looked incredibly relaxed, even signing autographs outside, as he dined with childhood sweetheart Lauren Fryer and their 22-month-old son Jude.Declan Rice was seen outside a restaurant loved by top starsCredit: BackGridRice looked happy to pose with supportersCredit: BackGridGirlfriend Lauren Fryer enjoyed the family meal outCredit: BackGridThey chose the eatery of football legends – London’s Novikov – ahead of the tournament of the Three Lions’ dreams.Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Harry Kane, Ronaldo, Neymar and Paul Pogba are amongst other celebrity players who have visited the restaurant in Mayfair.Main courses include sea bass, salt crusted with crudaiola sauces for an eye-watering £125.Wood oven roasted langoustines will set you back £50, while the black pizza with seafood will see you part with a cool £58.READ MORE TOP STORIESRice wore a dark-green cap and light-green hoodie as he held Jude and looked around outside the venue, where you can buy a two-course lunch for £26.But he grinned widely as he put his arms around two fans for a pic taken by one of their friends.The £115million Arsenal stars is one of England’s main hopes at the Euros in Germany – mainly thanks to his midfield partnership with Jude Bellingham.The duo are young enough and good enough to be paired together as long as rice has been with Lauren – more than eight years.Most read in Euro 2024Rice and Lauren were casually dressed for their trip outCredit: BackGridThey’ve been together since they were teenagers and welcomed their first child in August 2022.Rice marked that occasion with a pair of tattoos. His son’s name and date of birth are inked on – plus Jude’s Leo star sign.Is it coming home? Football legends discuss England’s chances for Euro 2024 at The Sun’s preview nightEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSRice and Lauren prefer to keep their relationship out of the public eye.But there was an unfortunate glimpse into their private life two months ago.That was when Lauren deleted all her Instagram pictures after bullying from online trolls.Now Rice hopes to make those sad social media types eat their words – as he prepares to jet to Germany for the Euros after his family feat of a send-off.Rice will soon be heading to Germany with the rest of the England squadCredit: BackGridPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. More