Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport in Basel

There were performers surrounding the centre circle dancing with giant inflatable sticks. It's a bit Gladiator-esque.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Fawkes
BBC Weather presenter

The record-breaking June heatwave that has been affecting Europe is heading to Switzerland in time for Euro 2025.

The later 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) kick-offs are set to be played at temperatures between 24-27C.

Like in all Uefa competitions, drinks breaks may be implemented at Euro 2025 if temperatures are high.

A heat warning has been issued by Uefa for all matches on 2, 3 and 4 July. For these matches, fans can bring a water bottle of up to 500ml into the stadium.

But how do players feel about playing in the temperatures?

"Of course it's not easy but we have staff that are considering all of that," Switzerland midfielder Meriame Terchoun told BBC Sport. "We have everything we need for recovery like cryotherapy or cold baths.

"For me personally, I like it when it's hot so it's OK but we have everything we need to recover well from the heat."

Izzy Christiansen
Former England midfielder on BBC One

There has been a lovely atmosphere building outside the stadium.

The majority of the pitch is moving into the shade -- when the teams come out I think this place is going to erupt.

Switzerland know there prerogative is to get out of the group.

Rachel Brown-Finnis
Ex-England goalkeeper for BBC Sport

Norway will want to rectify what went wrong for them at Euro 2022.

They have got Guro Reiten's goals from midfield as well as Hegerberg and Graham Hansen up front, but they have not been scoring as heavily as you'd expect from a team with that kind of firepower.

I do think their attack will click at this tournament, though, which is why they are my pick to top the group.

Still, taking on the hosts is a tough way to start any tournament, and I can see this game being extremely close.

It will be interesting to see how Switzerland approach this - do they go out to not get beaten because they see this as their hardest game in Group A, or do they want to put down a marker as hosts and show what they can do?

I don't expect them to be too open, but I do think we will see a winner here... and I am going to go with Norway.

Brown-Finnis' prediction: 0-1

Image source, Getty Images

Despite this being the second game of the tournament, the opening ceremony is taking place in Basel ahead of the host nation beginning their campaign.

Named 'The Summit of Emotions', it will see performances from Swiss singer Beatrice Egli and Norwegian pop star Astrid S, as well as an original score composed by Italian musician Ludovico Clemente.

It will feature flags of all 16 competing nations, 185 cast members, 40 inflatable props and 29,000 tifo cards to be held up in the stands.

Sounds like a good do.

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport in Basel

Lia Walti is warming up with bandaging above her left knee.

She missed Switzerland's last Nations League game - the 4-1 win over Czech Republic.

In her pre-match press conference, Pia Sundhage seemed undecided on whether to risk Walti today.

"I would say we have a choice to make," she said. "When she is present, I can tell that says something to the team.

"She brings out the best in others. She covers a lot of ground. That means somebody else doesn’t have to run as much. I’m fascinated the way she wants to keep the ball. She plays herself out of trouble and those things are unique.

"The question is should she play the first game? Is she ready to show that? Or should we give her more time to play the other two games. So let’s see."

Vicki Sparks
BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentator at St. Jakob-Park

The atmosphere in the stands as you weave your way past all of the Switzerland fans here in their red shirts, is just brilliant. They are so proud to be hosting this tournament.

This is the stadium in which the final will be played as well, it’s the biggest stadium for the tournament and they’ve sold it out.

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport in Basel

The Norway fans are understandably outnumbered in Basel, but I did manage to find a few on my walk to the stadium.

Mona, here with her son Foselli and some friends, is confident this is the tournament that Norway can turn around their recent Euros fortunes.

"I think they look good and definitely better than they did the last tournament," she said.

"Hopefully they manage to use the best players in the right way because Norway has a lot of talented players. When put together it hasn't been the best we have seen recently, but hopefully this is the tournament where it turns around for Norway.

"We are looking forward to it and hopeful to see a good Norwegian team this tournament. We might not win the tournament, but at least let's not lose 8-0 like against England last time."

Ellen White
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Norway are an odd team. I look on paper and just think 'wow - unbelievable talent'. For instance Caroline Graham Hansen - an unbelievable talent, Ada Hegerberg up front and captain, Guro Reiten on the other side. Their talent going forward is unbelievable. It's just the defence I think is a bit of an issue for them and they aren't scoring enough goals. I don't know if it's the style of play of the personnel.

Maybe everything might click in this Euros. This is a huge game and a huge test for them to be facing the home nation. They have to get three points if they want to progress out of the group.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're looking for a star player to keep an eye on tonight, may I recommend Norwegian forward Caroline Graham Hansen.

The Barcelona winger was one of only three players to reach double figures for goals and assists across the top five European leagues in 2024-25.

The 30-year-old has not always had a good relationship with the national team - at the last World Cup, she voiced her unhappiness at being benched for the group stage draw with Switzerland.

But if she hits form this month, Norway should be feared.

Image source, Getty Images

This will be Norway's 13th appearance at the Women's Euros finals, with their best showing coming in 2013 where they reached the final.

But at recent major tournaments, the Scandanavians have badly struggled. They have lost six of their last seven matches at the Euros, which included their infamous record 8-0 shellacking from England at Euro 2022.

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport in Basel

St. Jakob-Park is not even half full yet, but the roar when the Swiss players came out for their pre-match warm-ups was HUGE.

Lia Walti led the players out as they ran down the touchline and into their half as all players waved to each side of the ground.

The Swiss starting line-up is currently being read out as the fans shout every player's surname in unison with the stadium announcer.

It's hard to distinguish between the red shirts to tell exactly how many Norweigan fans are here, but they are occupying behind the goal to my right where their players are warming up and they seem to have turned out in good numbers.

Izzy Christiansen
Former England midfielder on BBC One

Gemma Grainger is incredibly calm.

She will know she has put together a game plan which can put her team on the front foot this evening.

If you ask anybody in the Norwegian camp - they would expect to beat Switzerland.

Jo Currie
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It's easy to see why Gemma Grainger gets mistaken for a Norwegian. Sitting in the sunshine outside a coffee shop near her Oslo flat, she looks very much at home. It's only when she speaks and you hear her north-east accent do you realise, she is distinctly English.

"I always thought that I was tall in height until I came here," 5ft 10in Grainger tells BBC Sport. "Then I realised these are my people because I'm average height here, which is nice."

The 42-year-old from Middlesbrough took over as head coach of Norway's women's team 18 months ago. And since then, she has had to adapt to a new kind of culture off the pitch and build a new one on it.

This week she will take on the biggest challenge of her career when she leads the national side into the Euros. It also makes her the only English head coach at the tournament.

But for Grainger, who was previously assistant coach to the Lionesses under Mark Sampson and head coach of Wales, there are no mixed allegiances here.

"This is something I've worked for my whole career. So, I'm incredibly proud and privileged to work with this group of players.

"They've given me this opportunity because they see something in me. And for me, I want to repay that. So, when we go into this tournament, I want to be the coach that can bring this team success.

"I want Wales and England to do well," she says, before adding with a laugh - "except for when they're playing Norway".

You can read more about Gemma Grainger in our feature here.

Norway

Image source, Getty Images

Norway captain Ada Hegerberg on if her team want revenge after failing to get out the groups at Euro 2022: "I don’t think we live in the past at all. It’s important we live in the present. It’s about learning from what you have experienced. Now it’s a different situation. It’s all about focusing on what you can do in the moment.

"We are very excited to be here, representing Norway on the biggest stage. It’s incredible as a footballer. We have to take the opportunity to enjoy it, show our best, show a team that is willing to fight for each other and try to make everyone watch us from home and also in the stadium and make them happy. Fight together."

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Don't forget you can listen to live coverage of the game in Basel over on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

Vicki Sparks is alongside ex-England midfielder Izzy Christiansen. They've just gone on air now. Tune in!

Those with keen women's football memories will recall that this is the second consecutive major tournament at which Switzerland and Norway have been drawn together in Group A.

They were paired together at the 2023 World Cup, alongside co-hosts New Zealand and Phillippines. On that occasion, their meeting ended 0-0 - hopefully we will see more excitement tonight.

Both Norway and Switzerland progressed to the knock-outs in 2023, but were beaten at the first hurdle by Japan and Spain respectively.

Emily Salley
BBC Sport at Euro 2025

In a difficult qualifying group with Italy and the Netherlands, Norway won just one game and were forced to seal their place at the Euros via the play-offs by beating Northern Ireland in December.

But in the same Nations League group as two of their fellow Group A teams, Norway have beaten Switzerland twice already this year.

Norway will be favourites to top Group A thanks to their pedigree as former world, European and Olympic champions. However, they have failed to reach the quarter-finals at the last two Euros.

Their squad boosts immense attacking talent with names like Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg, Frida Maanum and Elisabeth Terland, but they appear to lack the same kind of quality in defence.