World Cup Turf Made In Britain
World Cup Turf Made In Britain: This summer’s World Cup final will be on plastic grass for the first time in history – and England are guaranteed to play a part. It’s all because the surface at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where the match is to be staged on July 15, is one of six venues in Russia using a “hybrid” pitch made up of real and synthetic grass made by a British firm.
The new surfaces were developed in CumbriaThis summer’s World Cup final will be on plastic grass for the first time in history – and England are guaranteed to play a part. It’s all because the surface at the Luzhniki and installed at the national team’s training centre St George’s Park in 2015, giving Gareth Southgate’s men plenty of practice on the turf.
If England finish top of their group in the first round, they will have to play two knock‐ out stage matches on hybrid pitches in order to reach the final.
Their final group stage match will also be played on one of the new pitches.
George Mullan, chief executive of developers SIS Pitches, said: “Having trained on it, it is going to help the England squad.”
The synthetic surface was developed by SIS Pitches at its headquarters in Maryport, Cumbria.
Mr Mullan added: “It’s the first time a World Cup final has been played on anything but all‐natural grass and we’re honoured to have been chosen to install it.
“We have come so far to get this system to the pinnacle of world sport.
“The quality of SIS grass will ensure the pitches are resilient in all conditions. It’s much more durable and stable than the pitches of the old days.
“I’m sure the 2018 World Cup final is one we will all remember.”
The pitches consist of 95 per cent natural turf reinforced with synthetic fibres which are stitched into the ground to a depth of seven inches using a laser‐guided system.
A special air system has also been installed which can remove excess water from the playing surface in just three seconds via underpitch pipes that can blow hot or cold air depending on the climate.
The synthetic grass was made in Dundee, Scotland, at a factory before being shipped to Russia.
Former FA head groundsman Alan Ferguson will be in charge of maintaining the £1million Luzhniki Stadium pitch during the tournament.
Ipswich‐based Mr Ferguson will be in charge of a six‐strong ground staff team including two other Britons and three Russians.
The Luzhniki Stadium will host the opening ceremony and the opening game, along with a semi‐final match and the World Cup final.
The hybrid surfaces have also been installed at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, the Mordovia Arena in Saransk, the Kaliningrad Stadium, the Rostov Arena and the Cosmos Arena in Samara.
In the group stages alone, 30 of the 32 countries taking part in the tournament will play on the revolutionary pitches.
There are 12 venues in all spread across Russia.
The same hybrid pitch has already been installed by Championship side Derby County, as well as at training grounds at top clubs including Fulham and Chelsea. The 2018 World Cup begins on June 14.
England, captained by Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane, begin their quest for glory in Group G alongside Belgium, Tunisia and Panama.
England have been training at St George’s Park this week ahead of their final warm‐up games as the countdown to the tournament continues.
The Three Lions face Nigeria at Wembley on Saturday and Costa Rica at Elland Road in Leeds on Thursday before heading to their base in Russia on June 12.
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