“There are definitely differences in the hotel industry. We will be accommodated in a different part, not that you think we need the same thing as the English gentlemen. But we are very happy with what we have,” explained team manager Isabel Hochstöger. A training ground is right next to the quarter, which is about an hour’s drive from London and is surrounded by 50 hectares of parkland.
That was also an important factor in the decision-making process. Also with a view to the EM 2017 in the Netherlands, where you also didn’t need a vehicle on the way to training and then sensationally advanced to the semi-finals at the premiere.
Travel necessary only for games
“Yes, that was the main criterion, it offers us the greatest possible flexibility in the daily routine with the least organizational effort,” said team boss Irene Fuhrmann. Since the ÖFB women play their group games at three different venues – on July 6th the opening game in Manchester against England, on July 11th in Southampton against Northern Ireland and on July 15th in Brighton against Norway – they are forced to travel anyway. One day before the game, the rooms will be occupied in an as yet unknown transfer hotel.
“It would have been an additional burden to have to drive to the training sessions as well. That’s why I’m grateful that we have a five-minute walk to the pitch during everyday training and that it’s easier to deal with individual issues,” says Fuhrmann. In addition to the training ground, there is also an artificial turf hall available, and a gym can be used exclusively. “It’s a total package that inspires us,” says Hochstöger.
The ÖFB set out to find a suitable hotel themselves, as the accommodation proposed by the European Football Association (UEFA) did not meet the requirements or was chosen by other teams that had a privilege (because they play several games in one place). . “When I think back to what we saw, it was very challenging. Being able to have a perfect solution now makes me very happy,” said Fuhrmann. At least one puzzle has been solved since the draw on October 28, 2021.
Training camp and friendlies fixed
Another one as well, since the entire timetable is for the preparation. Three short training camps (June 2nd to 5th, June 9th to 12th and June 17th to 26th), each in the proven resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, are held, but not always with the same squad, because the seasons in the respective leagues are too end at different times. Three international matches will also be played during this period, on June 12th against Denmark and on June 22nd against Scotland, both at home and on June 26th in Belgium.
“We have succeeded in designing an individually flexible and multi-stage preparation plan. I’m also very pleased that we were able to win three strong friendly opponents for this phase. In this way we can prepare as best we can for the intensity and pace that awaits us in the finals of the European Championship,” said Fuhrmann. The journey to England follows on June 30th, the deadline for announcing the squad is June 26th.
Schnaderbeck before a possible team comeback
The year begins for the ÖFB selection on February 14 with a course in Marbella, and Schnaderbeck could be there again in Spain. The 31-year-old, who joined Tottenham on loan from Arsenal on Thursday until the end of the season, was called up by Fuhrmann in the provisional 23-woman squad on Friday. Schnaderbeck has not played in the national team since October 27, 2020 due to injury problems.
That should change on February 20th against Romania or on February 23rd against Switzerland – both test matches. Whether it will really happen remains to be seen, as the defensive player had to postpone her team comeback once again before the most recent course. “You can see that after such a long period of injury, muscular problems can occur again and again. But I’m confident because she’s been training normally for the past few weeks and everything is going perfectly,” said Fuhrmann.
Schnaderbeck also changed clubs with regard to the European Championship. “The Arsenal squad doesn’t mean she’ll play there regularly. She has now received a very interesting offer, sees herself in a different role at Tottenham and jumped at the chance. I see that very positively and hope that she stays fit and gets her minutes,” said Fuhrmann.
