Nice one: Kerr gives thumbs up to World Cup hotel
SHELLEY Kerr says the stadium, hotel and training facilities in Nice are excellent, following a flying visit to the French city. Scotland play England at the Allianz Riviera in their opening World Cup match on June 9.
Scotland head coach Kerr said: “It was really good to get a proper overview of the facilities. The planning part of the World Cup is so important for us, and for all the competing nations.”
The 35,624-capacity ground, which is also known as Stade de Nice, was opened five years ago and staged four men’s Euro 2016 games. One of them was Iceland’s 2-1 last 16 win over England.
It is the home ground of Nice, who play in France’s Ligue 1 and are managed by Patrick Vieira.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” Kerr said. “It was only opened five years ago so it has all the mod cons. The atmosphere will be great because it’s an enclosed stadium with the seating close to the pitch.”
Kerr’s trip to the south of France follows last Saturday’s World Cup draw which placed her side in Group D with England, Japan and Argentina. The game in Nice is followed by Japan in Rennes five days later, with the last group game against Argentina at the Parc des Princes on June 19. “We had a meeting with the host hotel staff in Nice,” Kerr reported. “They’ve had men’s teams like Barcelona, Sweden and Poland staying there.
“Because of Euro 2016 they’ve got a real handle of international teams’ requirements. Every team is in a different hotel for each group game.
“We also spent a lot of time with the liaison officer who will be with us for the tournament. It was brilliant to meet her personally. She will be crucial to us during the World Cup.
“We’ll go out at a later date to view the facilities in Rennes and Paris.”
Kerr also revealed her side is likely to play eight or nine preparation games in the build-up to the World Cup. Two of them will be against Norway and Iceland at La Manga next month.
That is followed by the Algarve Cup tournament in Portugal at the end of February and beginning of March.
“We’ll try to play another two games in the April international window,” Kerr said. “There will be one game at home, probably in May.”
‘‘ It was only opened five years ago so it has all the mod cons