England’s Road to Euro 2024 Fueled by Intense Military Training
As the England national team prepares for the upcoming Euro 2024 in Germany, their journey toward glory has been shaped by an unconventional team-building exercise โ a grueling Marine bootcamp.
Back in the summer of 2017, shortly after Gareth Southgate took charge as the England manager in 2016, the Three Lions squad experienced a surprise military-style training session at the Lympstone Marine base. The players were stripped of their phones and official tracksuits, issued with military gear, and put through a series of challenging exercises, including a trek across the Devon hills, an obstacle course, and the notorious “sheep dip” exercise.
“That’s my brother next to me, that’s my other brother next to me.” – Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling, who was initially hesitant about the experience, later admitted that the bootcamp brought the squad closer together. Harry Kane, who would later be named England captain, also recalled the lasting memories and the mental toughness they developed during those few days.
The team-building exercise, which involved former stars like Joe Hart, Fraser Forster, and Jermaine Defoe, was seen by Southgate as a way to instill the kind of team spirit that can only be inspired by the military. The experience is believed to have played a role in Southgate’s decision to hand Kane the England captaincy shortly after the trip to Lympstone.
As England prepares for Euro 2024, their headquarters in Blankenhain near Leipzig will provide a more luxurious setting compared to their time at the Marine base. However, Southgate and Kane will be determined to channel that same camaraderie and team spirit to lead the Three Lions to glory on the European stage.
The England squad’s journey to the 2024 European Championship has been marked by this unique team-building exercise, which has undoubtedly forged a stronger bond among the players. With Kane at the helm and Southgate’s guidance, the nation’s football fans will be eagerly anticipating the team’s performance in Germany, hoping that the lessons learned at Lympstone will translate into success on the pitch.
๐ Source