Euro 2024

ENGLAND are taking over a luxury 94-room resort for Euro 2024 – but will leave their Wags 20 miles away.The FA have reportedly paid £800,000 to book the whole of a German golf and spa centre, which even boasts a robot to collect dishes.The Weimarer Land golf resort and Spa is set to host England at Euro 2024Credit: Darren FletcherA luxuriant sauna will be among the facilities on handCredit: Darren FletcherThe squad will have timber-clad rooms or suitesCredit: Darren FletcherEngland’s stay is expected to cost around £800kCredit: Darren FletcherThe players will have digital pads linked to phones to contact hotel staffCredit: Darren FletcherEngland stars will be treated to the best facilitiesCredit: Darren FletcherBut the Three Lions are taking their own chefs and are expected to avoid having the players’ partners anywhere near.It’s claimed the FA are seen to ensure no repeat of the “circus” seen the last time England competed in Germany in a major tournament.That was when the Three Lions limped through to a quarter-final exit against Portugal on penalties in the 2006 World Cup.The likes of Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole, Alex Gerrard and Coleen Rooney made unwanted headlines back then.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd it appears the FA are being ultra safe this time around.They’ve secured the Weimarer Land Golf and Spa resort in Blankenhain, including swimming pools, sauna and gym, for the tournament from June 14-July 14.Meanwhile, it’s understood the Wags are looking into staying at a five-star hotel 40 minutes away by car.Manager Gareth Southgate is tipped to have one of the Weimarer’s top three suites, with the golf-themed names of Birdie, Albatross and Eagle.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe outdoor pool should be dazzling when Euro 2024 startsCredit: Darren FletcherMeanwhile, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Co will have timber-lined rooms or suites.Room service will be extra easy – as every man gets a hand-held digital pad linked to the resort’s staff.Man Utd legend Gary Neville gives verdict on Gareth Southgate to Old Trafford rumours as Erik ten Hag fights for job Food-wise, breakfast will be typical of the venue’s normal service.Salmon, organic sourdough breads and eggs are on the menu, alongside fresh orange juice and locally-produced honey.The FA are relying on their own chefs for dinner – to help guarantee perfect sporting nutrition.But Michelin chefs Danny Schwabe and Marcello Fabbri – from the Weimarer’s Augusta and Masters restaurants – will provide an al a carte menu.All in all, it’s well above par for a venue as the hosts of the England squad.Now it’s up to Southgate’s Lions as the visitors on the pitch to be up to scratch as they bid for their first major trophy since 1996.The venue includes unusual touches such as this horseCredit: Darren FletcherThe FA are bringing their own chefs to the hotelCredit: Darren FletcherDowntime will of course include the chance for golfCredit: Darren FletcherThe gym looks plain compared to other aspects of the resortCredit: Darren FletcherThe Three Lions are unlikely to utilise the drinking facilities muchCredit: Darren Fletcher More

AARON RAMSEY is considering his Wales future after their cruel Euro 2024 play-off exit.The Dragons captain, 33, was an unused substitute and watched on as Dan James suffered penalty heartbreak in the 5-4 shootout loss to Poland in Cardiff on Tuesday night.Dan James saw his penalty saved as Wales’ Euro 2024 qualification dreams were ended by Poland.Credit: GettyAaron Ramsey has had a brilliant Wales career, playing at three major tournaments but there are question marks over if he will carry on for the 2026 World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty ImagesThe painful defeat ended Welsh hopes of qualifying for this summer’s finals in Germany.Ramsey has won 84 caps and is sixth on the all-time list of goalscorers with a tally of 21 strikes.But it is understood to be weighing up whether he will play on for his country in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.The Cardiff midfielder has had an injury-plagued season with a knee injury keeping him out for five months.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAfter returning for two substitute appearances for the Bluebirds, Ramsey picked up a calf injury and was a doubt for the Euro play-offs.He was named in Robert Page’s squad and played 20 minutes for Cardiff in the South Wales derby defeat to Swansea on March 16.But Ramsey did not play a single minute either against Finland in last Thursday’s 4-1 win or the Poland defeat with Ben Davies taking over as captain.Ramsey, who has a year left on his Cardiff contract, was part of three major qualification successes with Wales.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe was named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2016 where Chris Coleman’s men reached the semi-finals.The ex-Arsenal and Juventus star also played at the delayed Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup – Wales’ first global appearance since 1958.The World Cup qualifiers start next March and Ramsey would be 35 by the time the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico come around if Wales qualified.Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, 37, who has 109 caps, is another Wales player who could now weigh up his international future.Page said: “There have been no conversations like that. It’s been an hour since we’ve ended the game. Aaron was a big part of this squad.”It’s not just what he brings on the pitch, it’s off the pitch as well. We want to continue to add to the squad and at the right time we will start introducing the younger ones in.”When quizzed why Ramsey was not brought on in extra-time or for penalties, Page added: “Who could he have come on to replace? “We needed the two 6s in the middle of the park. We weren’t going to take any more gambles or unnecessary risks late on into injury-time.”We made the changes which we thought were going to go on and win us the game.” More

ROBERT PAGE will remain Wales boss despite their Euro 2024 play-off failure.The Dragons suffered a penalty shootout heartbreak to Poland on Tuesday night after Dan James’ decisive spot-kick was saved by Wojciech Szczesny.Wales keeper Danny Ward looks gutted after Euro 2024 play-off exitCredit: GettyPage wants to carry on as Wales boss until 2026 and FAW president Steve Williams has backed himCredit: RexFootball Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney publicly stated Page’s position would be reviewed if automatic qualification was not secured.But Page is under contract for two more years and received a vote of confidence yesterday that his job is safe for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.FAW president Steve Williams said: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.”Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite the cruel Euro exit on spot-kicks in Cardiff which ended Welsh hopes of qualifying for Germany this summer, Page insists he is “absolutely” the right man to lead Wales forward.SunSport understands there was no break clause in the manager’s contract to activate at the end of the Euro campaign.Page, 49, is the only Welsh manager to lead his country to two major tournaments and he has the support of his squad.Next up is a June 9 friendly in Slovakia before the start of Nations League ties in the autumn and then next year’s World Cup qualifiers.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPage said: “I’ve got a great relationship with Dave Adams, the technical director of the FAW. “We’ve had our issues in the past, haven’t we? It’s been well documented.”But everything’s fine and great. “The board, the chief exec, the president, they see the journey we’re on and what we’re trying to do. They appreciate it.”In 12 months we’ve gone from the retirement of senior players to introducing younger players and being one kick away from qualification.”Poland progressed without even registering a shot on target in 120 minutes – prompting criticism of Page’s tactics and substitutions.But ex-Wales star midfielder Joe Allen, who won 74 caps and retired after the 2022 World Cup, says Page deserves the chance to try and lead the Dragons to the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.Allen, 34, said: “The two things you have to look for is, are the players supportive of the manager? That’s very evident.”Does the future look bright and is the team improving and that is also evident.“He deserves the chance to carry on and the chance to prove himself again.”Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas, 18, Fulham’s 19-year-old attacker Luke Harris and Cardiff midfielder Rubin Colwill, 21, are viewed as the next generation of talent to come through.Page added: “I know I’ve got a good group of players, great staff, and we’re going on the right path. “There are younger players to be introduced so that’s my next aim.”We haven’t got there this time but with the games in June, we can introduce younger players and build on what we have already got here. We’re going places.”Jordan James will be another Ethan Ampadu and I’ve no doubt he’ll have around 50 caps by the time he is 23.“Having gone through that experience will make them bigger and better in the future. “We’re disappointed but we have learned lessons.”But Wales will be counting the cost of missing out on a £10m-plus windfall.The Dragons would have got a cash boost of almost £8million for just participating in Germany with sponsorship and commercial spin-offs to follow.Now the spotlight will be on Wales’ latest financial results which are due with Companies House by March 31.The failure to qualify will only increase the concerns at the Welsh FA over budget cuts following a series of cost-cutting measures in recent times.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the worrying state of Wales’ finances could explain the public backing of Page as the FAW would have had to stump up a compensation package to bring in a new boss.Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has also made a string of financial promises to the grassroots game in Wales as well as pledging millions to the Welsh Premier. More