The national anthems are respectfully observed, Switzerland up first and it's a harmonic effort, nicely sung and met by applause upon conclusion.

Albania's players, in red today, each sport serious faces and who can blame them? A huge flag showcasing an eagle is spread across one end of the stadium and some of their staff on the sidelines can be seen with closed eyes as the emotion takes over.

Though Switzerland will wear white today, this stadium is a sea of red.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on BBC One

"Xherdan Shaqiri has got great balance and a terrific shot. He's probably not had the career we thought he might have but in glimpses he has shown the magic he has.

"It's about finding a role for him where he doesn't have to work back that much."

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Albania are nicknamed the Eagles.

This man takes that kind of thing seriously.

We trust you are all sat at home with painted faces. Personally I've never applied paint to my face since seeing Kenny Jnr be unable to remove his tiger paint in Phoenix Nights.

Image source, AFP

So we will see a piece of history today now that Albanian midfielder Taulant Xhaka has been granted a start after a recent thigh injury. He will face younger sibling Granit, who recently signed for Arsenal for a reported £35m, making them the first brothers to play on opposing sides at the European Championship.

Both were born in Switzerland, after their parents fled Kosovo, and came through the youth system at Basel. But after Taulant failed to make it through to the senior Swiss side after playing for the under-21s, he switched allegiance to Albania. 

The pair say they are "best friends" but their cross-border relationship highlights the integrated nature of this fixture. Six of Switzerland’s 23-man squad have family links to Albania or Kosovo, while 10 of the Albanian squad were born or raised in Switzerland. 

The stand-out headline within the team news is that for the first time in European Championship history, we will see two brothers on opposing sides.

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal and Switzerland will go head to head with Taulant. Between them, the two brothers have been sent off five times this season. So a 50-50 between the two is what we all want to see.

Image source, .

Xherdan Shaqiri will lead the threat from Switzerland's midfield and Haris Seferovic of Eintracht Frankfurt starts up top.

Image source, .

There is only one place to start.

Did you know that if you nod your head once in Albania it means no, while a shake of the head means yes?

So are you ready for this? Let's all shake our heads in unison...

Image source, Getty Images

Albania and their fans are ready to perform in a first major tournament. The players are probably shaking with trepidation (or widespread agreement).

We are now going to switch our focus to Lens where Albania make their first start in a major tournament against Switzerland, who have a starting XI which boasts seven players who either call the Premier League home or once did.

John Hartson
Ex-Wales striker on BBC One

"The Wales fans woke me up several times last night. I wanted to go join them, Bordeaux is a sea of red.

"We've been working for two years to get here. A lot of hard work has gone into it. This is the time. We have to come here and perform.

"We'd like to enjoy it but we also want to be competitive. 

"It means the world to the fans. They have had some near disappointments and now we have managed to get over the line. Chris Coleman has done a magnificent job. Going forward we have got players who can make a real difference for us."

If Wales could pick three players from yesteryear to join this squad and aid their Euro 2016 campaign, who would they go for?

I think Southall could be one, Ryan Giggs for sure, then who? Ian Rush?

Image source, .

Wales as we know, are built on a solidity. They'll need to bring their best defensive work when they face Slovakia - a side who of course ended Spain's 36-match unbeaten run with a memorable triumph in qualifying.

Wales fans, would you take a draw to start things off?

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender

"I just want us to come out of this tournament with positivity. Too many times in the past we have come out with negative ‘we should’ve, could’ve, would’ve done this’.

"It’s about time we come out of a tournament and being optimistic for the next one."

When you look at this qualifying form, you do have to wonder how England are not closer to the top of the market with bookmakers.

No side had better form in making it to France. They leaked just three goals in 10 games.

Image source, .

Thierry Henry
Former France International on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

"Dimitri Payet was outstanding. He worked hard. Sometimes kids think it is only about skills but it is about how much you want it.

"Payet's desire was second to none. The West Ham fans know how good he is but what a player."

Hear more from Thierry on BBC One now.

Today just has the feel of a never-ending countdown. 

I make it 210 minutes until Wales start a first major tournament since 1958 and 390 minutes until the first judgement of meaning can be cast on what England have to offer.

France seems to be lit up if you follow any of our pundits and commentators on Twitter. 

How are you holding up? Tweet us on #bbceuro2016.

The BBC's first and second games of Euro 2016 will run back to back on BBC One and coverage has just started. Dan Walker, Thierry Henry and Danny Murphy bringing your Saturday lunchtime to life. Enjoy.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Marseille

"Chris Waddle is treated like royalty here in France from his time in Marseille - and it's no different when he is spotted by Sheffield Wednesday's fans."

Image source, .

Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender

Image source, Getty Images

"Testament to Roy Hodgson – he has brought together a very youthful squad that everyone wanted and now it’s about letting them go out there and playing with that fearlessness.

"What’s exciting as well is there is an element of the unknown almost with this squad as well. Are they going to be able to reproduce what we see week-in week-out in the Premier League in an international shirt?

"It’s a pressure. When you put the England shirt on, the Three Lions on your chest and the whole nation at home watching, that gets to you. It’s hard to keep that out of your mind and that’s a big part of it."

Image source, Getty Images

If you are joining us late, it's bee a good day for England already.

They have overcome Australia in an unbelievable fixture in Brisbane, running in a late try to seal a 39-28 win. The cricket side is doing pretty well too, taking plenty of wickets against Sri Lanka.

For Wales, the tale is not so good as they lost to New Zealand this morning.

So will that pattern continue?