Unusual deviation
The host opens the European Championship – but only in the second game
02.07.2025 – 5:16 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
The women’s European Championship starts. But before host Switzerland officially opened the tournament, a duel takes place hours earlier.
A year ago, the German men’s national team against Scotland (5: 1) started the European Championship in their own country. Two years earlier, only one game rose to the women in England at the start of the tournament (against Austria 1-0). And the host also completed the 2017 opening game against Norway (1-0) in the Netherlands. It is different at the European Women this year.
The tournament starts with two preliminary rounds: Switzerland officially opens the European Championship in the Basel St. Jakob Park against Norway (from 9 p.m. in the live ticker at T-Online). Three hours earlier, however, there is a clash between Iceland and Finland in Group A in Thun (from 6 p.m.).
The deviation of the games is related to the UEFA schedule that is closely linked: Two games have to take place in the group phase a day. The rules state that three hours must be between the two games. The Women’s Euro 2025 Committee and the UEFA have therefore agreed on the kick -off times at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
At the start of the tournament, Switzerland chose the later kick -off time. The so-called prime time is particularly attractive for the TV presence, but also to offer more time for the journey on site. The hosts have great pressure before the duel with Norway: After the recently weaker results, the Swiss people trained by the internationally experienced Pia Sundhage were criticized. Norway won the European Championship title in 1987 and 1993.
Incidentally, the German team starts in the European Championship on Friday. In St. Gallen, the selection of national coach Christian Wück in Group C on tournament newcomers to Poland. Other opponents are Denmark and Sweden.