It’s unclear if Harry Kane was being a bit cheeky. The England captain mentioned that the German squad left the Spa & Golf Resort Weimarer Land at the end of May, allowing England to check into the luxurious facility in Blankenhain on Monday. “They [the Germans] wanted to come back, but eventually, we got in, so a good job by the guys at the Football Association,” Kane said.
So, England 1-0 Germany. The reverse beach towel! Er, no, not really. Germany was always going to base themselves at Adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach near Nuremberg. It’s where they stayed during Euro 2020, contractually obliged to do so. They used the Spa & Golf Resort for their pre-tournament camp, much like England based themselves at Middlesbrough’s Rockcliffe Park training ground for their warm-up games.
England’s Top-Tier Tournament Accommodation
The Germans seem to know the best places in their country, and Gareth Southgate and his players are now experiencing one of them. The word from the England camp, during a lively public training session in Jena, is that this resort significantly raises the bar compared to previous overseas tournament accommodations in the Southgate era.
For the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals, England stayed at the FoRestMix Hotel in Repino and Souq Al Wakra respectively. Both bases were comfortable and relaxed, but the current resort is on another level. It features two 18-hole golf courses, a nine-hole course, a spa with pools, and a sauna with panoramic views. The FA has taken over the entire place, bringing its own chefs, despite the fine dining options on-site.
The common themes are the secluded location and tranquility, with efforts made to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere. Each bedroom is personalized with family photographs, and one team member was delighted to find a framed picture of Dave the Cat, the squad’s adopted stray from the Qatar World Cup, Photoshopped under a crown as “King Dave.”
FA’s Quest for Glory: From Personalized Touches to Prime Locations
The FA’s meticulous attention to detail extends to providing players with personalized match shirts for family members to wear during games. However, the primary focus is on the strategic choice of their central German resort. This location aims to reduce travel time and fatigue, crucial for their success.
By avoiding the unreliable Deutsche Bahn, England’s logistical planning appears smooth. A unique training session at Carl Zeiss Jena’s stadium engaged 500 local fans, predominantly children. Typically, the squad will train at the resort, benefiting from a pristine surface without the need for travel, unlike in Russia and Qatar.
Carl Zeiss Jena, once European Cup Winners’ Cup finalists, now play in the regional fourth tier, yet boast an impressive 12,500-capacity stadium.
Southgate’s Squad in Full Swing
All 26 of Southgate’s players were on the pitch, although Luke Shaw, recovering from a hamstring tear, did not fully participate. Shaw is expected to return for England’s second group game against Denmark. The session showcased high technical quality and competitiveness, particularly in headers and volleys drills and small-sided games.
St George’s flags adorned the stands, displaying inscriptions like “Blackburn Rovers,” “Everton: East Germans on tour,” and “Hereford: Punjabi Bulls on tour.” The highlight came when Jude Bellingham scored a slick backheel goal, celebrating enthusiastically with Aaron Ramsdale, which drew loud cheers from everyone present.
A Day in Blankenhain
The players will become familiar with Blankenhain, a quaint town of 6,000 known as the city of lime trees, where they’ll conduct their media activities in the oval-shaped castle. Built around 1150, its entrance features a pair of Three Lions flags and is guarded by Christian, a steadfast defender.
“Harry Kane was here this morning,” Christian says. “He even spoke a few words to me in German. He was here for some pictures.” The rest of the squad joined for a UEFA photo and video shoot, but Kane, the Bayern Munich striker, was the main attraction, with his name chanted throughout the training session. Like Southgate, he looked relaxed and enjoyed himself. The serious business is about to begin.
