Switzerland opened up Euro 2008 with an alpine-themed opening ceremony in Basel on Saturday, featuring mock-up mountain scenes and waltzes.

Nearly 1,000 performers from 13 countries took part in the ceremony before the opening match between co-hosts Switzerland and the Czech Republic in Basel, with celebrities and politicians from around Europe looking on.

Giant model cows and skiers trailed between 800 multi-coloured cubes, which volunteers turned to signify the changing of the seasons in the Alps, before flags from the 16 competing countries were revealed.

Finally, balloons floated up into the evening sky and a firework display heralded the start of the three-week tournament.