England will take the scent of St George’s Park with them as they seek European Championship glory in Germany this summer.
Mail Sport understands that three special fragrances, which permeate the air at the team’s Burton-on-Trent HQ, will be transported to the remote five-star hotel where Gareth Southgate and his players will be based for the duration of their campaign.
The aim is to provide a sense of familiarity to the Three Lions stars as part of an overall strategy to turn the venue, 90 minutes west of Leipzig, into a home from home.
It is one of a series of light touches as officials seek to give Harry Kane and Co an optimal environment to land their first major trophy since 1966.
The ‘signature’ scent is likely to feature throughout the main areas of the GolfResort Weimarer Land. It has been described as a ‘fresh, comforting aroma that is distinguishable and lets you know you’re in a high-end space’ and features hints of bergamot, lily and jasmine. A second scent will be used in gym and recreation areas, viewed as a more energising aroma. In the players’ bedrooms, a more relaxing, sleep-promoting scent thought to contain hints of lavender is to be dispensed.
England are set to take the scent of St George’s Park with them as they hunt for success at the European Championships
The aim is to bring a sense of familiarity to the camp, with pool inflatables set to resurface
Studies have suggested there is a link between fragrance and improved athletic performance
England will take their own high-end bed linen and players will be given Three Lions bath robes with embroidered badges, as Southgate once more attempts to create a club atmosphere.
As in previous tournaments, pictures of the players’ families will feature at the resort, which boasts two 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole course, and is 40 minutes from the city of Erfurt.
Studies have suggested there is a link between fragrance and improved athletic performance but it is thought the scent is more about promoting mental well-being, the belief being that a happy and relaxed squad are more likely to perform at a higher level.
Providing activity in the players’ spare time is also part of the plan. Aside from the 45 golf holes, there are two swimming pools, a fitness centre, spa and seven restaurants. Insiders say the venue will be transformed from what regular, £300-a-night punters would experience and will become an exclusive base.
It is understood officials have a number of surprises up their sleeves for when Southgate’s men arrive at the complex, which has 94 rooms and suites.
Ahead of their trip to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Prince of Wales greeted each player and handed them a specially commissioned individual package, which contained the player’s shirt number, information on who had worn it previously and a message from Southgate.
England will again swerve city centres, which has been a common theme under Southgate
The more relaxed relationship with the media since Southgate took the reins in the dark days of 2016 is likely to continue with the popular darts tournaments between players and reporters.
Elements of previous tournament camps, such as pool inflatables, are also expected to resurface.
The remote location of the hotel continues a theme, with England swerving city centres under Southgate. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia they based themselves in the woodlands of Repino, outside Saint Petersburg, and four years later Al Wakrah, south of Doha, served as their beachside base.
It will be a far cry from the last tournament in Germany, when the players’ families infamously became the story during their stay in Baden-Baden.
The door has been opened for players’ partners and children to visit during the tournament
Southgate has vowed there will be no repeat, but has opened the door for players’ partners and children to visit.
‘It changes the dynamic of the hotel, especially if the kids come in, and those elements are important for the players,’ he said.
‘We want to be somewhere where we can be a bit on our own. We need that contrast of relaxation and areas where we can work. You want to minimise travel where you can but, within the FA, our staff are really good at picking venues that the players will enjoy and feel comfortable in.
Southgate has expressed his desire for England to be ‘a bit on our own’ in their bid for victory
Scents did not go with the women’s team to the World Cup, but the FA has responded to specific needs of both squads
‘You want to be somewhere where everything that’s going on around you, you can zone out from, but somewhere with facilities that are good for working.’
The England men’s and women’s teams have tailored operations when they travel. Although the scents did not go with the women to the World Cup last year, the Lionesses have been provided with coffee trucks, as well as arts and crafts stations, during their trips abroad, with the FA responding to the specific wants and needs of both squads.
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