Topic overview
Briefly
- Lech Poznan struggled to reach the Faroe Islands due to heavy fog affecting their flight.
- The team had been trying to arrive for two days, facing delays and frustration from their coach.
- Discussions with UEFA are ongoing regarding the match's schedule as they finally departed for Vágár.
What happened
On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Lech Poznan, the Polish champions, faced significant travel challenges as they attempted to reach the Faroe Islands for their Europa League second leg match against KÍ Klaksvík. The team had been trying to arrive at Vágár, the only airport in the Faroe Islands, for two days but was hindered by heavy fog that made safe landings difficult. Their first leg match had ended in a 1-0 victory for Lech Poznan, thanks to a late goal from Ivorian striker Yannick Agnero, but the return leg was now at risk due to their delayed arrival.
The head coach, Niels Frederiksen, expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing the need to make a decision regarding their departure. On Wednesday, the team had been kept waiting for hours, and Frederiksen informed the players that they could not continue to postpone their travel indefinitely. He suggested that if they flew the next morning, they would need to leave early to ensure they had time to rest before the match.
On Thursday morning, the team boarded their plane, and the club's social media prematurely announced that they were cleared for takeoff. However, they were soon placed in a holding pattern off the west coast of Norway for 40 minutes before being diverted to Bergen. This flight became a point of interest for many fans, who tracked their journey on Flightradar. Meanwhile, KÍ Klaksvík had advised visiting teams to arrive two days prior to the match to account for potential weather disruptions, and they recommended flying with the Faroese national carrier, Atlantic Airways, known for its experience in landing under challenging conditions.
Despite the difficulties, three planes from Atlantic Airways successfully landed in the Faroe Islands on Thursday morning before the weather worsened again. Lech Poznan, however, opted for a private charter service, Comlux, which contributed to their travel woes. As a result, they were in discussions with UEFA about whether the match should proceed as scheduled or be postponed to allow more time for their arrival. Ultimately, Lech Poznan departed Bergen for Vágár on Thursday afternoon, confirming that if all went well, the match would kick off at 8:45 PM local time, more than two hours later than originally planned.
Comprehensive report
Full story,
in detail.
Trace the developments that led here, see how the story evolved, and understand the forces and wider context surrounding it.