Armed forces guarding England’s Russian World Cup base

Take a look with us at England’s heavily fortified training camp in Repino. It has armed security and high fences to keep the English safe.

At the time of writing, England’s 23-man-squad are travelling to Russia. They are due late Tuesday, following a Birmingham Airport departure. After a busy week, finally heading for perusal of their base. Anticipate one or two surprised and worried expressions about the camp on arrival.

Sky Sports‘ latest installment of World Cup Breakfast was extremely revealing of the lock-down scenario. Security around the hotel is extensive. Stop and search operations are in place, police ready awaiting in the woods.

And furthermore, covertly positioned fully equipped military police, who Sky were not allowed to film. ‘Strict’, is how Sky’s Rob Dorsett described it, while standing near to their armored vehicle.

Cleverly named, ForRest Mix Club hotel is the Three Lions’ location. Although the squad’s rest in the forest is at a minimum.

Manager Gareth Southgate is expected to put them through their paces in training. Southgate stated his reason last week for 11-on-11 matches in practice. Places in the starting line-up are still up-for-grabs!

Yet the Premier League stars are allowed to access social media as well as see family. Spurs defender Danny Rose won’t be seeing his loved ones though. He chose for them not to accompany him, due to fears of racism.

However, townspeople and establishments are friendly, clean and wholly welcoming. There is even a beach there, at the gulf of Finland.

Yet it is cool, perfectly recreating the squad’s home climate. Notwithstanding facing ‘temperatures of around 31C hotter in Volgograd where they play against Tunisia on Monday’, according to the Daily Mirror.

High Security

Because of intensified hostilities between the two countries, diplomatic issues between Russia and England have heightened recently.

Away from football, we see non-diplomacy, name calling, along with blaming, Visa issues and even poisoning. Naturally, the Russians cry ‘discrimination’. While the English government state words like; ‘despot’ and ‘assassination’.

All British media’s credentials are checked, possibly by the plain clothed Russian security service. Camera holding is a sure way to find inquisition, with metal detectors and rigid checks expected at grounds. Although the team will find this, supposedly, more safe during their secluded stay. High 2.2m fences were erected to keep out prying spies at training, per a Mirror report.

Hopefully we won’t see a repeat of over zealous riot-policing or hooligan trouble. Because, quite frankly, certain problems could well lead to bigger, detrimental issues for any fans, and Russia in general.

Hopefully implication of 24-hour patrols and security cameras will keep everyone safe this summer.

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Take a look inside and see the base for yourself here, via Telegraph. Described as ‘Like leafy Lancashire… only with oligarchs’.

Oligarchs are Russia’s notorious minority of rich and powerful. Attaining wealth in the ’90s, as dissolution of the Soviet Union arrived.

Either they align with Vladimir Putin or purportedly flee and ultimately face incarceration.

Other nations have not expressed any issues. Quite the opposite; for example, France. Les Bleus met with outstanding personalized room door murals. Rather a different feeling is conveyed on their Instagrams etc.

Whilst it is fair to asses they will also share a high level of safety. Maybe not as unyielding as in Repino, for reasons mentioned above.

Group G preview

Matching the possibly fervent atmosphere in Russia is vital for England’s progression. Adapting crowd, security or hooligan negativity into their own positive energy is my recommendation. Feel the emotion and use it as determination. A key ingredient missing from the Three Lions for 22 years.

Group G is not a ‘group of death’, so to speak. And therefore it has progression written all over it. Yet England’s impetus must utilise and gain momentum. Draws, or heaven forbid, loses against Panama or Tunisia would be detrimental to qualification.

England play Tunisia on Monday June 18, at 7pm BST. Along with Panama, Sunday 24 at 1pm. In addition to Belgium, the most noteworthy opponent, on Thursday 28, at 7pm.

Next: Group G: comprehensive analysis and prediction

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