The skies turned apocalyptic in Queensland, Australia, as a tornado warning ripped through the area where England's Lionesses were putting in some final training before the World Cup. In an instant, the squad was sent scurrying for cover, players and staff alike dashing to safety as the storm raged on outside.
It was Monday, and the team had been based at their training facility when the severe weather alert sounded. The local authorities were warning of a heightened risk of tornadoes in the region, and with good reason – the situation was getting serious fast. But thanks to the swift action of the team's safety protocols, everyone made it to secure areas within their accommodation complex without a scratch.
It was a close-run thing, but thankfully there were no reports of injuries or significant damage to the team's facilities. The interruption was brief, and soon the Lionesses were back to business as usual – well, almost as usual, given the high stakes of the tournament ahead. This unexpected twist will doubtless add an extra layer of pressure to their build-up for the World Cup.
And what a challenge it is – England are set to kick off against Haiti on Saturday, 22nd July, in Brisbane. The Lionesses are among the favourites to lift the trophy, and they'll be keen to put this minor blip behind them and focus on their game face. The team's management made it clear that player safety was the top priority during the weather alert – a wise decision, given the circumstances.