Wales women's national football team head coach Rhian Wilkinson spent the night trying to sleep in an Italian airport after severe weather disrupted travel to Montenegro for a Women's World Cup qualifier.
The team departed Cardiff at 16:30 BST on Wednesday, scheduled to arrive in Podgorica approximately three hours later. However, electrical storms over the Montenegrin capital prevented landing, forcing the flight to divert to Brindisi, a port city in southern Italy.
After waiting on the tarmac for over three hours in hopes that conditions would improve, the decision was made to remain in Brindisi overnight. Football Association of Wales (FAW) officials scrambled to find hotel rooms for the traveling party and arrange alternative travel for Thursday.
While accommodation was secured for the players, limited hotel availability meant Wilkinson and some of her backroom staff had to stay in the airport waiting area throughout the night.
Wales is set to face Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday at 17:00 BST in their penultimate Group B1 fixture. They will then host group leaders Czech Republic in Cardiff on Tuesday in their final match.
The FAW confirmed the diversion on social media, stating, "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 team will stay overnight in Italy and will arrange alternative travel to Montenegro ahead of Friday evening's match."
Wales currently sits second in League B Group 1, level on 10 points with Czech Republic.