England’s Sarina Wiegman Assures Team Will Be Prepared for the Heat in Switzerland

England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman is optimistic that her squad will be fully prepared for the sweltering conditions in Switzerland as they kick off their title defence at the Women’s European Championship against France this Saturday in Zurich.

Wiegman expressed her gratitude for the unseasonably warm weather in England, which has allowed the team to engage in some early preparations for the heat.

“We have established protocols and strategies that the experienced players are well-acquainted with… as they have faced similar situations in the past,” Wiegman remarked from the team’s training base on Wednesday.

“We were already able to practice (in warmer conditions) during the first week of our training camp, as it was quite hot in England too.”

To combat the heat, England employs various measures such as using ice vests and towels, relaxing in ice baths, and enjoying ice slushies. The team also incorporates cryotherapy, which can involve applying extreme cold locally with ice packs or sprays, or using a cryotherapy chamber.

“(We also) ensure that we stay well-hydrated. Naturally, getting enough rest is crucial,” Wiegman added. “We avoid frequent in-and-out movements for recovery. These actions help maintain a lower body temperature.”

The temperature reached 33 degrees Celsius in Zurich on Wednesday, though it is anticipated to cool slightly before the weekend. The match is slated to kick off at 9 p.m. local time (1900 GMT).

The European football governing body, UEFA, is taking precautions for the heat seriously, providing complimentary sunscreen at stadiums and fan zones, and relaxing regulations on water bottles entering the venues.

For the first two match days—Wednesday and Thursday—fans have been permitted to bring a half-litre plastic or aluminium water bottle into the stadium, although glass bottles remain prohibited.

Wiegman mentioned that following Saturday’s match, the team will confer with England’s medical staff to assess how players coped with the heat.

“Then we’ll look ahead to our next fixture,” she said.

England, who triumphed over Germany 2-1 at Wembley Stadium to clinch Euro 2022, face a challenging group in Switzerland, featuring France, the Netherlands, and Wales.

Be sure to check out the ten players to keep an eye on during the Women’s European Championship