Switzerland battled to equalize in a match they initially dominated, but Norway's experienced team claimed victory, leaving Switzerland's campaign precariously balanced. The match began with high energy, especially as Nadine Riesen scored first, energizing the local crowd at St Jakob-Park. Despite Switzerland's strong football for the first 50 minutes, Norway's technical ability and timely luck proved decisive. The celebratory atmosphere surrounding the event contrasted sharply with the final outcome, highlighting the unpredictability of tournament play and the contrasting expectations of the home fans in Basel.
As time wore down and Switzerland strained to restore parity in a match that had looked so comfortably within their grasp, the clattering encouragement of a cowbell sounded from St Jakob-Park's west stand.
This Euro arrives a bit too early, La Liberte had cautioned its readers over their matchday breakfast. It was hardly a rousing tone-setter but perhaps the point was fair.
In the end knowhow and a little luck, those nebulous descriptors that somehow become starkly real in tournament football, inhabited the shirts in white and meant the mood was drained decisively.
The eruption in the stands, the mass bundle of excitement, now faced an unexpected defeat as experienced Norwegian players adeptly shifted the momentum in their favor.
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