Women’s World Cup: Matildas settle in at base in France

The Matildas have arrived at their luxurious base in France and have already hit the training track as they prepare for their World Cup opener.

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Opulent digs and an unprecedented media presence made for a big arrival to a small city.

Valencienne will double as the Matildas’ base in the lead-up to Sunday’s first group outing, a safe haven for the training, video analysis and team unity key to a quality start.

Had this been the 2007 World Cup, the ‘press pack’ would have consisted of a solitary SBS cameraman.

Twelve years later and Ante Milicic’s 23-player squad was practically given a rockstar welcome, with about a dozen Australian journalists and broadcasters following the team around the tournament.

And straight off the bus from Eindhoven, the Matildas were being serenaded in the foyer of their hotel.

“When we arrived we had a pretty great entrance,” said Hayley Raso.

The Matildas arrive at Valenciennes ahead of the Women's World Cup. Picture: Twitter

“We had a band playing for us and our hotel is pretty incredible so it’s great to be here.”

Valenciennes is a commune in the far north of France.

While its population is barely 60,000 that’s considered booming given the number hovered around 44,000 some three short years ago.

Decimated during World War II, it was entirely reconstructed and thus lacks the quaint architectural history of many other French cities.

But one of the few diamonds in the rough is playing host to Australia’s national team as they prepare to play Italy at Stade du Hainaut, the 25,000-capacity home ground of Ligue 2 outfit Valenciennes FC.

The Matildas are staying in what used to be the Hôpital du Hainaut, built in the mid-18th century and refurbished into an upmarket hotel.

And, as of three days ago, open for business.

The grand blue stone columned structure, which was listed as a historical monument in 1945, covers 32,000 metres squared.

It made Raso feel like she’d arrived.

Matildas players at their first training session in France. Picture: Twitter

“It does a little bit because of the entrance we had,” she said.

“With all of the special welcome it’s exciting and it kind of makes you feel like you’re really here and ready to go.

“Now we’re here we do focus on Italy and we all can’t wait to get out there and play.

Interest growing

“We’re hoping everybody in Australia gets behind us and gets up and watches all our games, and hopefully we put on a good show for them.”