Article by Rory Poulter

Richmond is to play a leading role in the England Women's Euros this summer with both England and Denmark based in the borough.

The Lionesses will stay and train at the Lensbury Resort in Teddington, which is popular with elite teams, particularly England rugby.

Separately, the Danish team will be based at the elegant Richmond Hill Hotel, close to Richmond Park, which was recently named the 'Large hotel of the year' in the British South Tourism Awards. And Germany, who are among the tournament favourites, will also be close by in Isleworth.

The England women's team will spend much of June at the national football centre in St. George's Park, Staffordshire in the lead-up to the opening game against Austria in Manchester on July 6, before switching to The Lensbury.

The Lensbury is particularly well placed for England's second and third group games with Norway at the Brighton Community Stadium on July 11 and Northern Ireland at St. Mary's, Southampton on July 15.

The 16-nation tournament concludes at Wembley Stadium with the final on Sunday, July 31 July.

Credit: EnglandFootball.com

England head coach, Sarina Wiegman felt The Lensbury provided the best possible location for England to prepare for the challenge of taking on Europe's top teams in July.

She said: "We are looking forward to our stay at The Lensbury. We have received a warm welcome from the staff already and have been impressed by the facilities and accommodation.

"It is important that our tournament base is a home from home for the squad and support team, and I have no doubt we will find that here. Confirming our base is another step towards what we all hope will be a memorable summer."

Managing Director of The Lensbury Resort, Julie Hammond, said: "The team and I are incredibly proud that The Lensbury Resort has been chosen as the dedicated training base for the England National Football team during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 tournament this July.

"I personally am truly excited be a part of the long-overdue rise in interest and associated participation in women's elite sports and look forward to this excitement continuing to rise during the tournament this summer.

"We are very much looking forward to playing our small part and to cheering on the Lionesses throughout the tournament this summer!"

Elite level sporting facilities include UEFA standard pitches, a state-of-the art elite gym and swimming pool.

Before heading to The Lensbury Resort, the Lionesses have three warm-up fixtures with tickets for the two home matches still available to purchase via www.thefa.com/tickets.

England will begin their preparations by welcoming Belgium to Wolverhampton's Molineux Stadium on Thursday, June 16. England then face the Netherlands at Elland Road, Leeds, on Friday, June 24.

Zurich's Stadion Letzigrunch hosts England's final EURO 2022 preparation fixture where they take on Switzerland on Thursday, June 30.