The first European Championship group games on Wednesday will literally become heat battles. By Friday, temperatures of more than 30 degrees are predicted in Switzerland until the evening. For the players, it is important to households even more responsibly than usual.
Planning is half life – at least it means. And as far as the accommodation of the “Nati” is concerned, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) may now claim to have planned properly. After all, the base camp of the Swiss Hotel, the Hotel Seepark Thun, is located directly on Lake Thun. And on the day before the opening game on Wednesday evening (9 p.m., live in the first and at Sportschau.de), it naturally offered for the Swiss to cool off in the waters on the edge of the alpine at tropical temperatures.
“We thank you thank you”said Svenja Fölmli. Incidentally, the attacker from SC Freiburg, despite the previous paddling in Thunersee, still looked quite taken at the official interview appointment. The last heat days have made it difficult for the 22-year-old and their teammates.
Uefa loosens because of heat Ban on bottle
When the kick-off of the duel between Switzerland and Norway sounds on Wednesday evening in the St. Jakob Park, according to prediction of Meteoschweiz, the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climateology, there are still almost 30 degrees. There is a “considerable risk of circulatory problems and physical discomfort,” said the authority. Incidentally, one of many behavioral recommendations for the “weather frogs” is: “Avoid physical exertion or compensate for salt loss during or after sporting activities.”
Well, when avoiding physical exertion, the players of Switzerland and Norway will not be anything. Despite the current heat wave in Europe, a relocation of the game was out of the question for EM cups UEFA.
But at least: the otherwise strict football association has loosened one of its many rules. The ban on bottle bottle for fans in the stadiums was partially lifted for the first two group games on Wednesday. Every visitor to the encounters Iceland – Finland (6 p.m., live in the first and at Sportschau.de) and Switzerland – Norway is allowed to take a half -liter bottle of plastic or aluminum to the stadium.
Parasols and Spray In fan zones
UEFA would like to ensure that fans can take enough fluid. And without having to dig deep into your pocket. And outside the stadiums, there are also opportunities for the supporters to protect themselves from the heat. “We hoped for nice weather, but are now required to make your stay in the fan zones as pleasant as possible despite the heat”said Sabine Horvath, overall project manager of the European Championship in Basel, the Swiss portal “20 minutes”.
In the so-called catalog of measures of the sustainability charta to the European Championship, it is planned, among other things, to set up umbrellas and sprinkle shots in the fanzones for the case of a heat wave that has now occurred.
Norway star Hegerberg is happy about “more pleasant temperatures”
While the followers have at least the chance to flee in the shade, the players have to fight for the first European Championship points in the blazing sun and at subtropical temperatures. Sounds not subject to entertainment tax, but for Norway’s star striker Ada Hegerberg is by no means a reason to hang out the football shoes.
“In Switzerland, the temperatures are more pleasant”said the 29-year-old with a view to the weather in her home country. There the thermometer currently shows just over 20 degrees. And in general, the Scandinavians have not been able to scare anything since their training camp in Serbia. There was practiced there at temperatures of up to 40 degrees.
Accordingly, trainer Gemma Grainger is not worried about the duel in Thun with Finland that her team could do the warmth. Despite the heat, the 42-year-old is certain that her kickers will keep cool heads. “Take a look where many of my players play in the club: Spain, Italy, Portugal, France. I think you will get along with the heat”said Grainger of the Swiss newspaper “Blick”.
The UEFA regular keepers are as strictly as the trainer. Only when the temperatures exceed 35 degrees do “cool breaks” must be initiated by the so -called game delegate and/or the referee, as stated in the association of the association. All further drinking breaks are at the discretion of the referee, it continues. Experience has shown that the referees often make use of this possibility.
Swiss player Vallotto: “Almost died in the first training session”
The European Championship opening game for the Swiss Smilla Vallotto will be a very special game. The Neu -Wolfsburg native – she just switched from the Swedish association Hammarby IF DFF to the Bundesliga club – grew up in Norway up to the age of 16. Her mother comes from the Northern European country, so that family peace may be at risk on Wednesday, Vallotto should celebrate a success with the “Nati”.
Apart from the special connection to Norway, the midfield player will also have to deal with the high temperatures on Wednesday. Because in her previous Wahl-Heimat Sweden it was much cooler than now in Switzerland. On arrival in the EM host country, she suffered a small heat shock, said the 21-year-old. “I almost died in the first training session”she reported the “look”.
And so it wasn’t just her. Machmasmen from previous clubs who also participate in the European Championship with their countries would have told her about similar experiences. “Many at Switzerland only think of mountains and skiing. They don’t even know that it can be hot here in summer”said Vallotto.
For you and the other suffering footballers there is a streak on the horizon. An “active cold front” is expected to end the “striking heat wave” according to MeteoSwweiz on Friday night.