4 days ago
Heat warnings in place for opening of Euro 2025
Heat warnings are in place for the start of the Women's European Championship on Wednesday.
Host country Switzerland, like many in Europe, is in the midst of a heatwave with temperatures forecasted to rise to as high as 34C (93F).
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UEFA regulations allow cooling breaks during matches when temperatures exceed 32C with other drinks breaks below those thresholds at the discretion of the referee.
The European governing body also confirmed a relaxation of security measures for supporters for the opening days of the tournament with fans now allowed to take water bottles into stadiums.
Supporters have also been advised to stay out of the sun where possible as well as to wear hats and sunscreen.
Six matches, including the tournament opener between Iceland and Finland in Thun and the hosts' first game against Norway in Basel on Wednesday, are included in UEFA's relaxed protocols, as is world champions Spain's opening match against Portugal in Bern on Thursday.
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Norway coach Gemma Grainger attempted to play down the impact of conditions ahead of her side's game.
'For me, the weather is just how it is — whether it's wind, rain, sun, it's not an excuse, it's just something that you have to get on with. It's the same with the pitch, with the stadium, so for both teams, it's exactly the same,' she said, as reported by Reuters.
'Of course, we've had some good strategies to make sure that we can recover well, so that's all in place, but actually, tomorrow night the weather will not be on our minds, it'll be about enjoying this game and making sure that the team can perform.'
Heat has been a key talking point at the men's Club World Cup in the United States with players and supporters forced to deal with stifling temperatures and global players' union FIFPro urging FIFA to abandon plans for midday and afternoon kick-offs at three 'extremely high risk' venues at next summer's World Cup.
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Elsewhere, Wimbledon saw the hottest opening day of the tournament on record on Monday, with play paused during Carlos Alcaraz's first-round match for 16 minutes after a fan in the crowd required medical assistance.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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