Wales’ preparations for their crucial Women’s World Cup qualifier have been thrown into disarray after their squad flight was forced to divert to Italy due to severe weather conditions.
Rhian Wilkinson’s squad departed Cardiff at 16:30 BST on Wednesday, with an expected arrival in Montenegro roughly three hours into the journey.
Electrical storms over Podgorica made landing in the Montenegrin capital impossible, forcing the aircraft to seek an alternative destination further west.
The plane eventually touched down in Brindisi, the southern Italian port city, leaving the Welsh squad stranded far from their intended destination.
Wales spent more than three hours on the tarmac in southern Italy as officials held out hope that conditions over Podgorica would improve enough to allow travel to resume.
When conditions failed to improve sufficiently, the decision was made to remain in Brindisi for the night rather than risk further disruption.
Football Association of Wales officials were left scrambling to organise hotel accommodation for the entire travelling party at short notice on Wednesday evening.
The FAW confirmed the situation in a statement on social media, saying: “Due to storms in Podgorica, the Cymru women’s national team flight was diverted this evening, landing safely in Brindisi airport in south Italy.”
The statement added: “The team will stay overnight in Italy and will arrange alternative travel to Montenegro ahead of Friday evening’s match.”
Wales face Montenegro at the Gradski Stadion in Podgorica on Friday at 17:00 BST in their penultimate Group B1 fixture.
The match represents a vital opportunity for Wales to strengthen their position before Tuesday’s final group fixture, when they host Czech Republic in Cardiff.
That home game against Czech Republic carries enormous significance, with the two sides battling it out to finish top of Group B1 in World Cup qualifying.
