Harry Mane visits the England Euro team hotel, complete with robot waiter
OUR football mascot Harry Mane enjoyed the luxury of the fantastic England team hotel for Euro 2024 yesterday – and relaxed with a copy of the super-roaring Sun.
The Three Lions defeated hosts Germany with the best available base ahead of the June tournament.
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And our furry footie fan looked like the big cat in the cream, with his paws up on one of the beds that Harry Kane and Co will sleep in during their glory bid.
The Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa scored on all counts when we received special permission to do so judgement It.
Gareth Southgate’s team will be served by 160 staff at the sprawling 350-hectare leisure site in Blankenhain, eastern Germany – including a robot waiter called Robbie.
Robbie, blue eyes flashing, 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.
Our Harry – named after the England goal-scoring captain – devoured a rare steak before a Peter Crouch-style robot danced with the droid.
He went further and tried his own brand of crazy golf on one of the woodland site’s three courses, where England stars can relax between matches and training.
Harry also showed off his silky skills on the immaculate UEFA standard training pitch installed at the venue for the England team.
Then he went to warm up in the spa complex.
Wags and families are expected to visit as England head to the finals in Berlin – and the ‘Rabbit Club’ will organize play activities for children.
The hotel has been massively redeveloped by millionaire entrepreneur Matthias Grafe.
I’ve always said I only want one team here – the team that wins the European Championship – and I believe that team will be England.
Mathias Grafe
Leipzig is the nearest major city, but Erfurt, a 40-minute drive away, has good air and rail links to all ten tournament stadiums.
Southgate is said to be impressed with the space and facilities offered in the isolated but safe rural location.
FA planners signed 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 about two weeks in the run-up to the tournament.
But they are contractually obliged to transfer to a base in Herzogenaurach, the Bavarian hometown of their kit maker Adidas.
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German adidas banners and colors will be removed and replaced with logos from English sponsor Nike and the Three Lions decor before the stars arrive.
Players stay in simply furnished, wood-clad rooms with views of the pine forest.
Temptations include the crisp Warsteiner beer on tap, a choice of 300 fine wines, the Michelin-starred Italian restaurant and a sumptuous cigar lounge.
But the FA will bring its own team of chefs and dieticians to maximize the performance of a team widely considered to have the best chance of success in England since 1966.
Southgate and the team arrive eight days before their first match against Serbia on June 16.
Owner Grafe told The Sun: “The German team wanted to be based in my hotel but they are required to work with their Adidas sponsors so we are happy to welcome England instead.”
The German said his loyalties would be torn if the two countries met at the tournament.
But he added: “I’ve always said I’m only interested in having one team here: the team that wins euros – and I believe England will be that team.”
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