Switzerland's meteorological authorities say the temperature in Basel is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius ahead of Switzerland's opening game against Norway on Wednesday evening, with similar temperatures expected throughout the country.
00:01Switzerland is ready for the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, which kicks off on Wednesday.
00:08While the action heats up in the continent's biggest football competition, temperatures off the pitch are soaring too.
00:14A heat wave is sweeping through the country, with Basel expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius on match day.
00:21Kiosks have been put up in the city for people to get free sun protection.
00:26UEFA announced that its usually strict security rules would be eased for the first two days of matches, permitting fans to bring half-liter plastic or aluminum water bottles into the stadiums.
00:39The Norwegian team, which takes on the host in a tough Group A opener, prefers to focus on its match strategies rather than the weather.
00:47Yeah, well, I can let you know that we've got a fan here, and that feels quite nice.
00:51It's well hidden.
00:52Yeah, it is well hidden, but I feel like I'm getting some windswept to look, so you get a fan up there for starters.
00:57But yeah, you know, for me the weather is just how it is.
01:00You know, whether it's wind, rain, sun, it's not an excuse, it's just something that you have to get on with.
01:06It's the same with the pitch, with the stadium, so for both teams it's exactly the same.
01:12Of course, we've had some good strategies to make sure that we can recover well, so that's all in place.
01:19But actually, tomorrow night the weather will not be on our minds.
01:22It'll be about enjoying this game and making sure that the team can perform.
01:26Norway winger Caroline Graham Hansen, who netted a late winner against Switzerland in their last meeting, said the recent meetings between the two teams might not matter much once the new tournament begins.
01:37Switzerland's coach Pia Sundhage believes her team is ready for a winning start at home.
01:42We are talking about the strength with some of the players in, I would say, in the midfield, in the middle of the park.
01:51We have a chance, with our attacking personalities, to actually break down their back four.
01:58The Women's Euro 2025 will be held at eight venues in Switzerland until July 27th.
