It's finally starting: In a few hours the European Football Championship kicks off in Switzerland

The evening before the match, national coach Pia Sundhage outlined two scenarios: Either she fields the strongest team against Norway, including captain Lia Wälti. Or she gives the Bernese a few more days to recover from her knee problems, ensuring she can play in games two and three. Wälti herself said on Tuesday that the last few days had gone well, and that the coach would ultimately make the decision. The final decision will be made about an hour before the match, when Sundhage will announce her lineup.

The remaining questions are: How will the team cope with the injury-related absence of defensive leader Luana Bühler? And who will score the goals up front today: Sydney Schertenleib, Riola Xhemaili, or Géraldine Reuteler ?

Switzerland's opening European Championship campaign will see them face arguably their toughest opponent in Group A. The Norwegian women have already won world championships , Olympic gold medals, and European championships, although their last title was 25 years ago. Their stars are former world footballer and Champions League record goalscorer Ada Hegerberg and Barcelona striker Caroline Graham Hansen. Switzerland has already lost to Norway twice this year, but the difference in class wasn't that great. After two disappointing tournaments, the physically strong Norwegians are doing everything they can to build on their past success.

Switzerland vs. Norway is considered the official opening match, but three hours earlier, the other two teams in Group A, Finland and Iceland, will meet in Thun. Before the Swiss women's match in Basel's St. Jakob-Park, a short show with the lofty motto "The Summit of Emotions" will be staged at 8:47 p.m. It is intended to celebrate the mountainous landscapes of Switzerland and the emotional journey of women's football. Beatrice Egli will sing the Swiss national anthem, and Astrid S will sing the Norwegian national anthem.

Due to the extreme heat, the stadium regulations will be relaxed for spectators in Basel and Thun: Each person is allowed to bring a half-liter water bottle (PET or aluminum, no glass) into the stadium.