England football team played a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania at the LFF Stadium in Vilnius. How many of you who watched the match on TV noticed the pitch?
Yes, it was artificial grass!
England’s Worries
England’s officials were worried before the match about playing the game on artificial turf and how it could affect the players.
The Lithuanian FA swiftly moved to ease England’s fears and brought in the local fire brigade to give the pitch a good watering and soften the surface. This was done prior to the training session on the Sunday and again before the match on Tuesday.
Gary Cahill
England manager Roy Hodgson was concerned about risking some of the players who had slight injury niggles and, in fact, vice-captain Gary Cahill was rested due to concerns over possibly aggravating his back injury.
Comfortable Winners
England, who had already qualified for next summers’ tournament in France, came out comfortable winners, 0-3 with goals from Everton’s Ross Barkley, an own goal from Arlauskis and a 62nd minute strike from Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain of Arsenal.
But the best result of the night for artificial grass was NO INJURIES!
A 3G Pitch
The pitch at The LFF Stadium is a 3G pitch, but what exactly is a 3G pitch?
According to Blakedown Sport and Play:
“In 3G turf, the pile (artificial grass ‘blades’) is supported by a thin base layer of sand, and by an infill of rubber crumb. The pile height ranges from 40mm to 65mm depending on which primary sport is to be played on the surface.
‘In construction, the 3G sports turf can be laid onto various bases from the ‘Dynamic System’ of stone base with or without a shockpad, to the top specification ‘Engineered System’ of stone base, porous tarmac layer, and a shockpad”
At Lawrence Lawns we can give you an artificial pitch to be proud of, or even just a beautiful, easy-to-manage back garden. Whatever your requirements, give us a call!