Wales Coach Wilkinson Details Lightning Strike on Team Plane
Rhian Wilkinson's Wales team remains unbeaten in their last seven matches. Wilkinson disclosed that the Wales squad experienced a lightning strike on their team plane while traveling to their previous match in Montenegro. This incident occurred en route to last Friday's 1-1 draw in Podgorica, after their flight was diverted to Italy due to severe electrical storms affecting the Balkans region.
Wales will now face the Czech Republic at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday in a Women's World Cup qualifier that will determine the top position in Group B1. Wilkinson expressed confidence in her players' readiness despite the difficult journey to Montenegro.
"I think absolutely this is going to be a story forever and when they write their autobiographies, I'm pretty sure it will be a chapter," the Wales head coach said.
"We were remembering before the Euros [in 2025] that we had a game in Portugal and I [deliberately] made one of the buses late to try to prepare them for things that might come up, but I hadn't considered being struck by lightning."
Fans can watch the match live on BBC Two Wales and from 17:45 BST, with radio commentary available on via BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru. Text commentary and match highlights will be accessible on the website and app.
Wales' charter plane spent approximately an hour circling over Montenegro, awaiting an opportunity to land. Ultimately, the decision was made to divert the flight to Brindisi, Italy. During this time, numerous lightning flashes were visible from the aircraft. The pilot later confirmed to Football Association of Wales (FAW) staff that the plane itself had been struck by lightning.
"Have I ever been on a plane struck by lightning? I have not," Wilkinson said.
"It is one of those things that we were never in danger, but it feels like it.
We know that if you've ever been on a plane that's had heavy turbulence or you hit heavy winds, it's just a frightening moment. It's out of your control.
We're very glad that they made the right decision to divert and then that we were safely in Italy for a day."
The Wales players and staff remained onboard the plane for over three hours, hoping the weather conditions would improve. However, in the early hours of last Thursday, the decision was made to spend the night in Italy. While the FAW secured accommodation for all 26 players, Wilkinson and some members of her coaching staff spent the night in an airport waiting area.
The team finally arrived in Montenegro on Thursday evening, just 23 hours before their qualifier began.
"It wasn't just a travel delay, that was a real horror trip and a frightening one as well," Wilkinson added.
"There was the physical lack of sleep - a full night of lost sleep - and also a lot of stress.
It is one of those things that a lot of people are frightened of and then we have a scary moment there, so thank goodness everyone is healthy."
'A Huge Game' Against Opponents Who Are 'Equal to Us'
Elise Hughes scored a late equaliser to give Wales a 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic in the opening game of this qualifying campaign.
After the difficult travel to Montenegro, Wales managed only a draw against opponents they were expected to defeat comfortably at the Gradski Stadion. A win would have positioned Wilkinson's team at the top of their group, but now they must defeat the Czech Republic to secure first place and a more favourable path in the play-offs later this year.
"I think that there's the luck of a draw whether you finish first or second," Wilkinson said.
"Yes, you have a slightly better opportunity finishing first, but I do think momentum-wise and confidence-wise - and for the players to really recognise the growth they've made in the last few years - I think it's important that we win this game.
This is a huge game and I think it's a challenge against a team that is in almost every single category equal to us."
Wales and the Czech Republic are level on points, each having won three and drawn two of their five group matches to date. A Czech victory in Cardiff would secure them the top spot, while a draw would also suffice due to their superior goal difference.
Both teams have already qualified for the play-offs, but finishing first would allow Wales to avoid facing a League A side in the semi-final stage in October.
Wilkinson confirmed she has a fully fit squad available for the upcoming match, with the exception of Hayley Ladd, who was not called up due to injury. Carrie Jones and Lily Woodham are both poised to reach 50 caps for Wales on Tuesday.
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