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Italy's team plane struck by lightning while landing in Geneva for Brazil friendly; no damage

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/20/2013 2:14 PM | Comments: 0

Brazilian soccer players Thiago Silva, left, and Neymar, right, play the ball during a training session at the Stadium Colovray, in Nyon, Switzerland, Wednesday, March 20, 2013. Brazil's national soccer team will play a friendly soccer match against Italy, Thursday, March 21 in Geneva. (AP Photo/Keystone, Jean-Christophe Bott)

GENEVA - As if facing Brazil wasn't enough stimulation, Italy has been thrown into shock with the team plane struck by lightning.

No damage was caused but players and staff were jolted by the scare on Wednesday following the charter flight from Florence, Italy, to Geneva, the site of Thursday's friendly.

Flight personnel moved quickly to spread calm, saying that it was lightning but there was never any danger.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says "it certainly wasn't pleasant, and I challenge anyone to say 'I wasn't afraid.' It's happened to me before but never this strongly."

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