Preparing for the World Cup in Portugal

England is paying close attention to everything regarding the Football World Cup in Brazil. Roy Hodgson took the team to Portugal to try and get familiar with the conditions in Brazil where everyone is expecting blazing hot temperatures.

England's manager took a team of experts with him from Loughborough University to measure all parameters. Players wore extensive clothing to simulate temperature in Brazil. “We tested how much they sweat, how they will be able to recover and what can be done to help. We found an excellent place to train here and the first three days have gone as well as I could possibly hope for. It's a long way to go, but we're off ti a good start,” said England's manager.

England's manager also talked about the 23-men provisional squad named for the World Cup that include a few young players that lack the experience. “They are not here to make up the numbers or to prepare for the future. They are here to help England to well in this World Cup and I think they got that message,” added Hodgson.

England will play at the World Cup in Group D along Uruguay, Costa Rica and Italy. Hodgson's team will first battle Italy on the 14th on June at Arena Amazonia in Manaus.