16 March 2006
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Tour the England hotel

We take a look round the England team hotel and talk to Sven, Garth Crooks, the hotel manager and journalists.

16 March 2006
PHOTO GALLERY: England's Base Camp

You've seen the video now look through our photo gallery as Sven tours England's hotel with the English media.


England have chosen the Buhlerhohe Schlosshotel, high in the mountains above Baden Baden, as their home from home during the finals, and Eriksson has given it his seal of approval.

The FA has taken the hotel exclusively for the duration of the tournament, which means the Three Lions will be able to completely relax and concentrate on the job ahead.

The hotel already has a mind-boggling list of facilities but on top of that the players' bedrooms will be fitted with computer games, a games room will be added for activities such a table-tennis and darts and one suite will be used as the massage and treatment room.

The hotel, which was built in 1914 and has welcomed the likes of Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela in the past, is complete five-star luxury and was even the venue for the weddings of tennis legend Boris Becker and German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

It boasts 74 rooms and 16 suites in all and the only tricky thing left to do is allocate who sleeps where.

The Schlosshotel should provide players with plenty of relaxation. It is set high in the mountains on the edge of the Black Forest, with wonderful views from every angle - even from the indoor swimming pool and spa.

Players will also have the choice of two golf courses close by for afternoons off.

Mittelbergstadion, Bühlertal
England's Training Camp

England can look forward to having a first-class training pitch when they begin training in Germany on 6 June.

Following a ground inspection the Mittelbergstadion in Bühlertal near Baden Baden in March, which included Wembley Stadium Grounds Manager Steve Welch and England Coach Tord Grip, the decision was made to returf the pitch in preparation for the visit of the Three Lions.

The result will be an internatonal standard pitch, meaning England can train for the World Cup on a superb surface.

"I'm very pleased that the pitch at the training ground is to be completely re-laid," said Sven.

"When I visited Germany, it was clear the pitch needed extensive work. That's why it was important we had an inspection.

"I'm told the work will start at the beginning of May to ensure we have a first-class pitch for our first training session.

"The training pitch is the equivalent of the players' homes for the duration of the World Cup and it is vital it is of the highest standard."